Contraversy of Wal-Mart as An Ethical Company

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Introduction

Jeffrey Seglin, a business ethics columnist for the New York Times, participated in an event sponsored by Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. He described two Wal-Marts one as evil and one as good. The evil company is very, very big and does everything to grow bigger. They use illegal immigrants to mop floors and are accused of locking employees inside overnight. They practice gender discrimination, pay low wages and deteriorate suppliers and competition. The bad one "is the enemy of all that’s good and right in our nation" (Seglin, 2004).

The good Wal-Mart Seglin describes as thrifty, industrious and offer fair deals. They serve society and due to their exceptional distribution system, pass along gains to everyone. The company employs insightful managers who "democratize the American dream". The company spurs productivity and helps fight inflation. The good one is "Americas most admired company" (Seglin, 2004).

Wal-Mart is a huge global retailer employing millions of people, serves millions of customers annually and operates in over 13 markets (Walmart/AboutUs). Prior to 2008, they consistently rated high by their peers and appeared in Fortune Magazine’s list of top 20 most admired companies (Fortune Magazine). The question is however, is the company ethical? This paper looks at various criticisms and praise in specific areas and applies normative theories in an attempt to answer this question.

Employment

Wal-Mart has been found guilty of discrimination against women employees, minorities, demeaning workers with disabilities and inequality based on sexual orientation. Wal-Mart was found guilty of gender bias in 2004. Customers have sued Wal-Mart claiming racial profiling as have a group of bla...

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... Markkula Center for Applied

Ethics. http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/ethicalperspectives/wal-mart.html

Shaw, W.H. (2008). Business ethics (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth

Velasquez Manuel, Moberg, Dennis, Meyer, Michael J., Shanks, Thomas, McLean,

Margaret R.,DeCosse, David, Andre, Claire, & Hanson Markkula, Kirk O. (1988). Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Issues in Ethics, V. 1, N. 2. Sobel, Russell S. &

Dean, Andrea M. (2008). Has Wal-Mart Buried Mom and Pop?:

The Impact of Wal-Mart on Self Employment and Small Establishments in the United

States. Regulation Magazine. http://www.be.wvu.edu/divecon/econ/sobel/WalMart/v31n1-1.pdf

Wal-Mart. About Us. http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/

Wal-Mart. Fact Sheet. http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/FactSheets/

Wal-MartWatch. Issues. http://walmartwatch.com/issues/

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