Walmart Corporate

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Introduction

• The World's Largest Retailer Takes on Social Responsibility: A Deep Dive into Walmart's
CSR Strategy.
• This is a short analysis of Walmart's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to
examine its initiatives in sustainability, community development, and ethical sourcing.
• Through a review of scholarly literature, we can evaluate the effectiveness of Walmart's
CSR efforts and offers recommendations for improvement.
Analysis

• Walmart's CSR program focuses on three key areas:

• 1. Sustainability,
• 2. community development,
• 3. Ethical sourcing.
• Scholarly research supports the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Analysis
• Walmart, as one of the world's largest retailers, has implemented a range of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at addressing various social, environmental, and ethical
challenges. Analyzing these initiatives reveals both strengths and areas for improvement in Walmart's
approach to CSR.
• While Walmart has made significant strides in implementing CSR initiatives across various domains,
there remain areas for improvement and scrutiny. A critical analysis of Walmart's CSR initiatives
reveals the complexity of balancing business interests with social and environmental responsibilities.
(Kampf, 2007)
Sustainability

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• To reduce waste
• To increase renewable energy use.
• Walmart highlights the importance of innovation in adopting
environmentally friendly business practices.
Sustainability

• At the heart of Walmart's CSR program lies its dedication to sustainability.

The company recognizes the importance of minimizing its environmental
footprint and has set ambitious goals to reduce emissions, promote
renewable energy, and enhance resource efficiency. Walmart's sustainability
initiatives encompass various areas, including energy efficiency, waste
reduction, and sustainable sourcing. By leveraging its scale and influence,
Walmart aims to drive systemic change within the retail industry and
beyond, contributing to global efforts to address climate change and
environmental degradation. (Pedersen et al., 2019)
Community Development

• Walmart supports education,

• workforce development,
• disaster relief.
• This improves community relationships and customer loyalty.
Community development

• Walmart is deeply committed to supporting the communities in which it

operates through philanthropy, volunteerism, and community engagement
initiatives. The company's community development efforts focus on
addressing key social and economic challenges, such as access to education,
healthcare, and economic opportunity. Through programs like the Walmart
Foundation and Walmart's Community Grants, the company provides
financial support to nonprofit organizations and grassroots initiatives that
aim to strengthen communities and improve quality of life for residents.
Ethical Sourcing

• Walmart promotes responsible supply chain practices, including fair labor

standards and environmental sustainability.
• This enhances brand reputation and reduces risks
Ethical sourcing
• Ensuring ethical sourcing practices is a priority for Walmart, as the company recognizes
the importance of upholding labor rights, human rights, and environmental standards
throughout its supply chain. Walmart has implemented robust supplier standards and
auditing processes to monitor compliance with ethical sourcing requirements.
• The company works closely with suppliers to improve working conditions, promote fair
labor practices, and enhance transparency in the sourcing of raw materials and production
processes. By fostering responsible sourcing practices, Walmart seeks to mitigate risks,
build trust with consumers, and drive positive social and environmental outcomes across
its global supply chain. (Hartmann et al., 2018)
Walmart Future and CSR
• Placing nature and people at the heart of its business
• Regenerating means restoring, renewing and replenishing in addition to
conserving
• Harvesting enough wind, solar and other energy sources to power its facilities
with 100% renewable energy by 2035
• Zeroing out emissions from all of its vehicles, including long-haul trucks, by 2040
• Transitioning to low-impact refrigerants for cooling and electrified equipment for
heating in its stores, clubs, data centers and distribution centers by 2040
Walmart Future and CSR

• Zeroing out emissions from all of its vehicles, including long-haul trucks,
by 2040
• Transitioning to low-impact refrigerants for cooling and electrified
equipment for heating in its stores, clubs, data centers and distribution
centers by 2040
Recommendations:
• Walmart should:
• Expand its renewable energy investments to reduce dependence on fossil fuels,
• Implement more transparent and accountable labor practices in its supply chains,
• Increase support for local community development programs to foster positive
relationships
• Conduct regular, independent audits to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of
its CSR initiatives.
Conclusion
• Walmart's CSR journey serves as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future.
By harnessing its immense scale and influence, Walmart has set a new standard for
corporate responsibility, demonstrating that profitability and sustainability are not
mutually exclusive.
• As we look to the future, Walmart's remarkable progress serves as a clarion call to
action, inspiring us all to embrace the power of corporate social responsibility and
join forces in the pursuit of a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
References
• Kampf, C. (2007). Corporate social responsibility: WalMart, Maersk and the cultural bounds of
representation in corporate web sites. Corporate Communications, 12(1), 41. https://i621q5i10-mp02-
y-https-doi-org.proxy.lirn.net/10.1108/13563280710723741

• D'Aveni, R. A. (2010). Hypercompetition in the U.S. retail grocery industry: Walmart, Target, and
Kroger. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 17(5), 422-433.

• Hartmann, P., Guldmann, J., & Schiele, H. (2018). Sustainable supply chain management: A review of
theories, practices, and challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 3437-3448.
Thank you
.