“Wal-Mart: Organizing Function of Management”

TaRoryia Purnell

04-05-2014

Instructor: George Beaini

University of Phoenix Mgt/330

Wal-Mart has perfected the organizing function of management by having exceptional

knowledge and technology. Wal-Mart as an enterprise has used both knowledge and

technology to help develop its business as one of the most important and well known

businesses, proof of its viability Wal-Mart has over 5,000 stores nationwide (Wal-Mart, 2011).

Knowledge is what created Wal-Mart, and Technology is what has sustained the business as

it continues to grow and become the largest retailer in the world.

Knowledge can be classified into three broad forms, namely public, shared and

personal knowledge (Alavi, 2001). Sam Walton took his knowledge of business and

merchandising and created a viable business that thrives even in a recessed economy. His

idea was to buy merchandise in bulk at the lowest price possible and pass the savings on to

the consumer. The knowledge he possessed created a umpire with over 5,000 stores and

over 760,000 employees. This alone has made Wal-Mart one of the most popular stores

around the world. Mr. Walton developed a concept that would allow the consumer to shop for

all of there needs in one location for a convenient price.

Along with the knowledge it took to create the very first Wal-Mart. Knowledge continues

to be a big part of Wal-Marts history. Obviously, Mr. Walton cannot be at all 5,000 businesses

at once so it takes knowledgeable and efficient employees and management to continue to

grow and spread Mr. Walton knowledge. Its the through this efficiency that Sam Walton

established his goals and rules for his business that allows his knowledge to continue to

integrate his business many years after he first created it. It is managements job and goal to

continue to spread this knowledge within the workplace.

Technology is must for even the smallest business; so we know how effective it must

be for a massive business with over 5,000 locations and counting. Wal-Mart began with a

manual business and quickly progressed to completely technological as technology was

created and advanced. Managements job has become a lot easier over the years with the use

of computer systems, manual payments, payroll system and clock in system. Being able to

run a efficient business; in which a computer logs everyone”s steps keeps fraud down to a

minimal and makes it easier to account for employees.

Wal-Mart has become very effective at perfecting its business model in today's

economy. The stores effective and reliable knowledge management skills have enhanced

efficiency in service delivery and customer care as well as development of great competition

(Oleary, 2000). Sam Walton created a code of ethics that continues to be used in all his stores

today by his management and employees. His