Wal-Mart Business Ethics, Essay Example

Although Wal-Mart has embraced both mid-term and long-term sustainability goals, ethnic concerns are still rampant in the company’s human resource system. The company has harnessed wind energy and has adopted neutral packaging system, which is environmentally friendly, but has failed to address serious issues from its human resource. Wal-Mart’s employees receive low salaries and wages. In addition, there is rampant discrimination based on gender; women are paid less when compared to men in the same position. It is important for the company to address ethical issues, which taint the image of the company before focusing on its global sustainability.

Wal-Mart has received criticism both internally and externally. Employees have criticized the company since it does not offer employee benefits such as insurance cover and over-time payments. It has also been accused of workplace discrimination and conditions. Employees are denied rest breaks while women are paid less when compared to men in similar positions. The company has also encountered problems with external stakeholders on basis on environmental sustainability. To address these problems the company has embraced a new system of in leadership. The new leadership system is required to maintain high ethics levels as well as environmental sustainability, for, instance, harnessing wind power as source of energy.

Wal-Mart has remained ahead of competition while other retail outlets are suffering financially because of its strategic leadership style. The company has harnessed wind power, which has reduced on its expenditure. The implication of this is lower prices of its products and services than those of other retail outlets. The company has also participated in humanitarian activities such as funding disaster management projects and health initiative. This has led to the growth of its customers’ base, which in turn, has increased the number of its transactions.