List of figures
Figure 1: Pie chart demonstrating the response of the respondents on how E business has affected their business performance.
Figure 2: Pie chart demonstrating the response of the respondents on how E business has affected the management of product life cycle.
Figure 3: Pie chart demonstrating the response of the respondents on how E business has affected the business management.
Abstract
This paper seeks to study benefits of E business. The purpose of the study was to find out the Strategic implications of integrating E business on Walmart business operations. The above purpose was guided by the following objectives. To find out how E business will affect the performance, to find out how E business will affect business management, to find out how E business influences the product lifestyle management and finally to use the findings to make recommendations for the executive of walmart company.
The paper attempts to give the history of the walmart company and its current business operations, Data was collected by use of both primary and secondary data. The study found that E business has a positive effects on business performance, management and proper management of product life cycle. The paper also attempts to give some key recommendations to the executive of walmart company.
The Purpose of the study
The purpose of the report is to find out the Strategic implications of integrating E Business on Walmart business operations. The purpose of the report is guided by the following objectives.
To find out how E- business will affect the performance of the organization.
To find out the E- business will affect the management the organization.
To determine the implications of E business on product life cycle management.
To use the findings to make Recommendations For E Business development.
Background of Walmart company
According to graham & Mark( 2006), Walmart history can be traced back to the 1940s when Sam Walton became a retailer. He was hired by a company by the name JC Penny before graduating from University of Missouri in Columbia. While working there he met James cash Penny who was a department store Founder when he had gone to visit the store.
Sam Walton worked at J C penny for one year and six months. In September 1945, Walton was able to acquire a Franchise from George Scharlot that was in New Port, Arkansas. Walton store was marked by substantial growth whereby at the end of 3 years annual sales shot up from $80,000 to $225,000.
Unfortunately the landlord did not renew the lease on favorable conditions which forced Walton to relocate at the end of the year (1950). Walton purchased a store from Luther E Harrison in Benton ville Arkansas, where he opened Waltons. In the 1960s and 1970s Walton decided to pass on his savings to his customers so as to increase sales. By 1962 Walton had eleven stores. Waltons assistant Bob boggle invented the name for the business which was wall mart, (Trimble, 1990).
By 1967, the company had various stores across Arkansas and sales had reached 12.6 million sales. By 1974 wall mart had 78 stores computer network was introduced to achieve effective communication and ordering , which sales grew more than tripled from 167.5M to 479M and numbers of sales had doubled from 74M to 143 M. There was increased growth with 330 stores in 1980, 1.2B sales, the year also saw the launching of business logo (Graham & mark, 1990)
1980s and 1990s
1981 and 1982 Wal mart moved into south stern US market, opening stores in Georgia and South Carolina. By 1985 there was unbelievable growth as there was 882 stores, sales of 8.4 billion and 104 000 associates. By the company 25th anniversary they were 1,198 stores with sales of 15.9 billion and 200,000 associates. By this time their satellite network was complete which allowed the head office to track record of other branches and send instant messages to their stores Walton (1990). They had also equipped their business with bar code readers by year 1988.
In 1988, David glass succeed the co founder Sam walton as the chief executive officer who remained as the chairman of the board of directors. These was restructuring of senior management executives to greater responsibility . In 1989 saw the expansion of business operations to 26 states across the us.
According to James (1990), 1990s brought an era of growth incorporation of many new ideas and technology with sales shooting up to 32 billion, Wal mart acquired Mc Lane company which was later said to Barkshire Hathaway in 2003. Sam Walton died on April 1992 and his son succeeded him as the chairman of Board of directors.
The year 1992 Wal mart was operating in 45 states. 1994, Walmart opened 3 clubs in Hongkong while Canada had 123 stores and Mexico 96 stores. Code Adam was found in the same year which was named after 6 year old john who was found lost in a Florida department but was later murdered in 1984.
In 1995, walmart had discount stores, 239 supercentres , 433 clubs and 276 international stores with sales at 93.6 billion, 1997 walmart replaced wool worth and also in this year it expands Germany.
The 21st Century
In 2000, lee Scote became the president of Walmart at this time sales had doubled to $156B also in 2000 Walmart was ranked fifth in the fortune magazine as a global most admired company in America.
The year 2005 saw walmart attain $ 312. 4 billion sales more than 3,800 stores in the U.S and 3,800 Internationally. Walmart employed 1.8 million associates worldwide. 2007 the Walmart slogan changes from Always low prices Always to save money live better (Donald, 2006).
Walmart has also introduced experimental stores one in McKinney, Texas for making Cheese and other famous dairy products. Walmart has also ventured into reaching more demographics, which has lead to the opening of New super center In Plano Texas. There has also been introduction of organic food to be available in all stores .
Satires and parodies
Due to the fact that walmart has become a big model culture, several entertainment has targeted it, there has been a cartoon production which featured a story of middle aged man who shops at Walmart.
Current business
Sustainability efforts
With the development of business strategies that cares about the environment, Walmart the worlds greatest retailer is leading the way on seeking its way to sustainability. Its approaches to sustainability takes many forms but the current approach is to improve the environment by packaging. This is in an effort to be a model to other retailers.
The goals leading to this purpose are to create no waste and to sell products that will help sustain resources and environment, packaging naturally has a big influence on this. Walmart current sustainability effort are built on interests in environmental issues the company has worked with the likes of national resource defense council, conservation mountain with an aim to make sustainability a major interest in business strategies.
Currently Walmart CEO Lee sort meets quarterly sustainable conferences where associates, suppliers and NGOS are invited to discuss global warming and how to address this problem. The conference also discusses ways to protect the environment. The primary goal is to achieve neutral packaging by 2025 which means packaging recycled will be equal to packaging used.
Recycled Content
Most important to its sustainable packaging is to use materials which are highly reliable without compromising quality. The scorecard was introduced in September 2006 and was launched in Feb 2007 so far the score card has scored well which means it has been received well by the customers. The CEO is optimistic that the score card will help the company make better decisions in buying.
Transport and Logistics
In may 2006, Walmart introduced an auxiliary power units with efficient diesel engines. Drivers can turn off the engine and rely on (APUS) to cool the cabin and to run communication while on break. The company is optimistic that in a single year it should save up to 100,000 metric tonnes and reduce consumption of diesel saving up to $22.5 m. Walmart has introduced plastic sandwich to accelerate plastic recycling (Donald, 1990).
Virtual Trade Shows
Walmart has also provided a virtual trade show, which gives suppliers a chance to look for better packaging skills which in effect gives them packaging improvement and sustainable business Practices. This strategy is looking beyond suppliers and extending to its customers. The company recognizes that many customers prefer products that are environmental friendly to those that are not friendly (Graham & Mark 2006).
Wall Mart presses for suppliers to enhance their diversity
Walmart presses for employment to hire more women and minorities, walmart general council argues that the diversity initiatives is not related to law suits.
Research Methodology
The research was collected by use of both primary and secondary sources whereby the primary sources was the use of questionnaires and interviews which was conducted using face to face interviews. Secondary data was collected through reading journals and other related literature. The findings was later analyzed by use of Quantitative and qualitative methods.
Research findings qualitative analysis
The finding of the report was based on the objectives:
Findings on how E- Business affect the performance of an organization
After conducting research with some of the major companies it was found that application of E business will enable business to reach a word class performance . This is because there is faster dissemination of information and resources on as specific objective. E business provides a wide range of information which brings about transparency and quick execution.
The findings on Implication of e business for product life cycle development
It was found that E business would have, far reaching implications for product life cycle development. This is because it is easy for the production management to view data management in the context of changes brought about E Business. However, a transformation is required to realize the benefits of production management with the help of E business.
Finding on how E business will affect Strategic management.
After the study it was found that E business makes it easy for managers to formulate strategies for profitability and comes up with strategies that are in line with the operational lines . E business also place management on a better position to monitor daily activities. The E business also facilitates a speedy implementation of strategic plans. The top management is also able to use practices of budgeting, Management, forecasting and ability to compete globally. E business also helps in reduction of costs through outsourcing for budgeting and management, E business also helps organization align itself to objectives and resources. This helps the organization becomes consistent in achieving its goal
Quantitative analysis
Findings on how E business affects Business Performance
The study used a sample of the population of 10 major companies where the researcher either gave a questionnaire or conducted face to face interview the following was the response on the first objective.
Do E business affect performance positively?
80% of the respondent said it E business has affec ted the performance positively
Figure 1:
(Source, Author 2008)
How does E business Affect Product affect the product life cycle Development
90% of the respondent said that e business had positive effects on their businesses
Figure 2:
(Source, Author 2008)
How does E business Affect Management in your organization?
Figure 3:
(Source, Author 2008)
From the findings what came out is that E businesses has positive effects on all businesses and organization.
Key Recommendations
After analyzing the findings, the following are the major Recommendations to the top executive Management team of Walmart Retailers:
The Executive should come up with a clear road map, on how integration of E business will be achieved. This should involve the steps to be followed and the procedures in effort to properly integrate E business. They executive should have the goals of E business clear, on all levels of strategic management and planning and also communicate the benefits of E business to all levels of business operation. This will help other employees accept the change.
Clarify the E business, model and structures, this is aimed on achieving a transparent integration of E business. All levels of the organization should have a clear knowledge concerning the organization ambition on integrating E business and how they hope to achieve it.
They executive should have a commitment on achieving the E business and also encouraging other departmental heads to support the introduction of E business. They executive should also communicate concerning organization initiative.
There should be encouraged cooperation between different groups specifically Marketing and IT with an aim to achieve and support utilize E business benefits to the full potential.
Establish competencies required for E business, bridge the gap between current and required E business. This can only be achieved by training the employees, so as to cope with the new concept. All employees should be taken through training or conferences to arm them with the required skills. It is important to have the skills. This is because without the skills the E- business benefits may not be realized as much as desired.
Finally the Executive should evaluate the performance of the E business by evaluation, this can be done by comparing the prior plan with the actual results, deviations should be noticed and a corrective measure taken to reach to the organizational goal. The executive may decide on the intervals on which to conduct the evaluation. This could be semi-annually, quarterly or even annually.
Questionnaire ( please tick where appropriate)
1. What is the name of the company?
2. How long has it existed?
3. Number of employees?
4. Who is the Chief Executive officer ?
5 . What is the profitability Margin?
Does the company us e E business Yes No
If yes When did the company introduce E businesses ?
Have there been changes? Yes No
In your own opinion would you encourage other company’s to introduce E business please explain
Does the management of your organization apply E business on its operations? Yes No
Has there been improved efficiency in the management of the company?
What are some of the changes your organization has noticed since the implementation of E business Please explain
Has E business influenced Product line cycle ? Yes No
If the answer is yes in question above how has it affected? Positively Negatively
Please explain what you think need to be done to utilize the advantages of E business in your Product life cycle Management.
References
1. Zook, Matthew; Graham, Mark (2006). “Wal-Mart Nation: Mapping the Reach of a Retail Colossus”. Wal-Mart World: The World’s Biggest Corporation in the Global Economy: 15 – 25, Routledge.
2.Vance H. Trimble (1990), Sam Walton: The Inside Story of America’s Richest Man, pp.46-64
3.Walton, Sam; Huey, John. Sam Walton: Made in America: My Story. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group.
4.Fredrick James (1990) Dots new owners set an aggressive agenda Newyork.
5. Koenig David (2006) Walmart Targeting upscale shopper, Arkansas.
6. Longo Donald ( 2000) Walmart agrees to buy Mclane, Chicago.
