MKT 421
April 25, 2012
Michael Wells
Domestic and global marketing decisions are conducted on a daily basis by several organizations. One organization that is all too familiar with the high level domestic and global environment factors that influence the marketing decision making is Wal-Mart Corporations. Another factor that ties into the domestic and global market would be technology. Technology is an important factor for several organizations. The internet is an example of how organizations can transport, generate, or initiate international sales in many countries which in turn opens many doors to great opportunities in marketing in addition to corporate social responsibility which is another practice used to improve situations in the workplace and in benefit society.
Conducting domestic and global marketing business is all too familiar for Wal-Mart with over thousands of stores and super centers here in the United States. In addition to these stores, Wal-Mart also contains stores overseas in many countries such as Central America, Japan, the United Kingdom and many others. In previous years, major changes came into effect in the global hemisphere. These countries went from being committed in controlling the governmental aspects of their economy and redirecting these political concepts and initiated reforms to facilitate trade and in some measures the world arrived into the global market place starting with new technologies such as the internet. The internet is marked as the new era of international business relations amongst many organizations such as Wal-Mart and the relationship with these international countries. Along with this new era of technology come the challenges of becoming competitive in this global market. Currently, Wal-Mart currently remains as the retail giant and by 1998 Wal-Mart had unrivaled and ended with total sales of $118 billion with over 2,100 stores in that fiscal year. Since then, Wal-Mart has increased their marketing with discount stores, SAM’s Wholesale Club, Wal-Mart Supercenters including deep discount warehouse outlets. Wal-Mart also extended internationally by venturing into Mexico City and opened its doors to the in 1991. Shortly after, additional stores opened in Puerto Rico in 1992, Canada in 1994, China in 1996, Brazil 1995, Argentina in 1995, South Korea in 1996, and Germany in 1998. Currently Wal-Mart operates over 600 stores internationally with revenues of $7.5 billion.
Since Wal-Mart is regularly known as the retail giant around the world its demographics are wide spread throughout many countries with its “Low Prices” motto to back them up and has spread around the world across all demographics which has led to commercials nationwide and beyond the United States. Wal-Mart took advantage of many concepts that would allow it to grow in many areas similar to rural areas as well as major cities. The idea was to increase a suburban sprawl to accompany the United States population with an opportunity of growth. This growth would include taking advantage of the widen income gaps in the United States by providing a widen stretch of incomes at the same reducing inflation. Wal-Mart’s vision remains firm and committed in providing and investing towards the environment, healthcare, product sourcing, wages and community diversity involvement. Part of the reason for environmental focus is to avoid or help eliminate net waste. Wal-Mart is firm believers in recycling materials, refining products and focus on eliminating trash domestically and globally.
Business ethics and social responsibility are principles and standards that determine acceptable conduct in a business organizations and Wal-Mart is takes part in business ethics and social responsibility. Both are considered necessary to all organizations, including Wal-Mart because it ensures their economic survival. Many organizations including Wal-Mart want to take advantage of the benefits of healthy and well