Management Information Systems ( Distinction Criteria )

This report covers different aspects of information and systems in order to develop a business entity. It includes explanation of different types of data and its application in development of a business along with advantages and disadvantages. The report also includes accounts information from latest programme of Walmart. The implications associated with information handling and security are significant for Walmart as any breach of sensitive information can result in loss of customer trust and damage to the company's reputation.

Information
Systems

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The information systems and technology includes effective tools and techniques with the
help of advanced computer systems and software for business. This project includes various
business units which are used by walmart to focus on creating a well established organisational
structure. The report includes explanation of different types of data and its application in
development of a business along with advantages and disadvantages. This report also includes
accounts information from latest programme of Walmart. This report majorly covers different
aspects of information and systems in order to develop a business entity.

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Question 1........................................................................................................................................3
Describe the different business units of Walmart organisation and their inter connectivity and
provide the reasons behind this structure.....................................................................................3
Question 2 .......................................................................................................................................6
Describe the different forms of data an providing the advantages and disadvantages of the
system in response to Amazon’s strategy....................................................................................6
Question 3....................................................................................................................................9
By taking into account information from the latest programme of Walmart (ethics and
compliance) and implications associated with information handling and security. ...................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

MAIN BODY
Question 1
Describe the different business units of Walmart organisation and their inter connectivity and
provide the reasons behind this structure
The different types of business units in the corporate world includes functional departments of a
company. It is essential for a business entity to focus on different business departments which are
helpful in performing company operations. Also it is majorly important of Walmart to focus on
development based goals in order to focus on effective operations. The Walmart should put
emphasis on formulating a major strategy in the company for supporting planning framework.
Company mainly follow hierarchical structure to develop focus on decision-making and flow of
information (Andrew and Baker, 2021). The main impact of hierarchical functional
organisational structure within Walmart is known as ability by which corporate managers can
influence operations of company. There are new strategies and policies created at corporate
headquarters. These are directly passed to different regional managers. From there, it is easily
passed to different store managers. There is a downside approach used within corporate structure
and it is not easy to adjust the business activities. The reason behind this is presence of effective
communication and managing the completion of different business decisions. It helps them to
manage the behaviour and determine capacities for adding provision of retail service. Different
business units of Walmart are mentioned below:
 Walmart discount store- The company has developed major departmental stores in
different areas of the world in order to expand its operations. Walmart company increases
its profit and earning capacity with support of its discount store. The discount stores
provides increase in revenue of company and helps in providing goods on affordable
rates to different customers. The first discounted store of Walmart was found in the year
1990 and it was opened for the customers belonging to Benton ville.
 Walmart super centre- This is considered as largest marketplace which consists of
major goods and services according to need of different customers. In these stores, large
variety of goods are sold including major retail items that are used in business. The
Walmart super centre is a type of unique marketplace which includes a main garden
centre and pharmacy. This helps in easing customer purchase journey by providing key

solutions to shopping experience. The super centres of Walmart are situated in major
parts of country to develop need fulfilling approach related to target customers.
 Walmart neighbourhood market- The market is known for its fifth position in
marketplace for providing Walmart super centre. In 2010, neighbourhood marketplace is
a user friendly store of Wal mart which provides main items related to grocery of the
company. Walmart is a major retail sector based company which has established
neighbourhood market to serve target customers (Chakraborty and Mukhopadhyay,
2019). In Walmart company, prices related to store based goods and services are decided
by top level and strategic management.
 Infrastructure- The infrastructure of Walmart is combination of layout of its different
stores at the marketplace. In the development of a company, infrastructure plays a crucial
role by developing different types of business parameters. All major companies in the
international and national marketplace focus on development of infrastructure for
performing different operations. It is necessary for company to analyse all the major
external and internal factors that are helpful in increasing its capacity related to
infrastructure.
The way different business units of Walmart are interconnected with each other
The business organisation should understand relationships between different business units
for long term development of the company. At Walmart, there are different business units like
super centre and neighbourhood market are connected with each other. The supply chain
management of all the business units is same and helps Walmart to contact with suppliers. The
advantage of best organisational structure and its suitability is achieved by company with
formulation of effective strategy (Dove, 2018). This structure helps them to provide simplicity to
employees in order to understand the particular information in effective manner. It is also
essential for the Walmart to establish effective inter relationship within different departments for
overall growth of company. It is also compulsory for the company to put emphasis on connection
of different departments in order to manage its business units. Company must focus on
application of suitable organisational structure based approach to manage its large number of
retail stores. This is also key role of operations and productions management of a company to

briefly analyse key consequences and challenges related to major types of organisational
structures.
Main reasons behind selection of business structure and combination of business units for
Walmart:
The company wants to increase its profitability with also management of appropriate
business structure based approach. It is also essential role of a business to focus on its different
units in order to facilitate supply and demand management. Walmart can also achieve stability in
different types of operations with the application of appropriate structure in business working.
All aspects of structure management of a business are covered by a company to also increase
revenue and turnover ratio. The main reason for Walmart behind choosing a major business
structure in order to develop and focus on decision-making. All major companies in the
international and national marketplace should focus on analysing key goals and objectives with
selection of effective structure. Walmart also focuses on implementation of divisional business
structure in order to assign crucial roles and responsibilities to different employees. Walmart
practice to apply best business structure in its operations for long term development of the
business entity. Also with the help of precise organisational structure an organisation can easily
achieve its short, medium and long term business goals.
Illustration 1: Organisation structure of Walmart
Source: What is Walmart’s Organizational Structure, 2021.

Question 2
Describe the different forms of data an providing the advantages and disadvantages of the system
in response to Amazon’s strategy.
Walmart is retail chain which is operating at international level and offering different types
of products and service in different countries. It is providing distinct development opportunities
to people who are working in their company (Almaiah, 2018). It is essential for managers of
Walmart to manage data of company in order to manage information in effective manner and
ensure growth in their organisation. This data can be used by companies for promotional
activities and increasing awareness among customers. For this purpose, different types of
information systems are required by company which are described below:
Executive support system: It is a system that facilitate as well as support to senior executive for
decision making and information needs. It is a system that assist user for purpose of transform
data quickly into reports. It is offering access to internal as well as external information that is
related to aim and goals of organisation. On basis of this system, managers can access to routine
operation information that allow them to manage activities in effective manner. Data
warehousing is an essential part of any company that comply with stock availability for
production of different products and items. Walmart can use this system for purpose of
analysation of inventory management level of company that is depended on sales of business and
for this, they require different types of data in business.
Decision support system: It is another system used by company for purpose of making decision.
It includes various decision making activities that needed determination, judgement as well as
sequence of actions in business. It is also used for purpose of making judgement that assist
company in order to gather data, analyse it and manage it in a systematic manner that allow them
to resolve problems faced by company (Chakraborty and Mukhopadhyay, 2019). Walmart can
use this system for purpose of resolving problems occur in their organisation and also for
mitigating risk occur in business. Implementation of this system allow managers of Walmart to
make effective decision in their manufacturing department that is important for satisfaction of
needs of consumers.
Inventory control system: It is a system that is used by companies for purpose of managing
investor, tracking it, update and manage it. It assist management to identify shortage of inventory
of company and restock it in their warehouse. It helps managers of company to track movement

of inventory from warehouse to departmental store. Adoption of this system allow mangers of
Walmart to track inventory in effective manner that avoid shortage of products.
Management information system: It is a system that consist use of transaction data in order to
assist management of company for planning a well as decision making. It assist managers of
company for collecting, analysis, control and visualisation of information (How Does Walmart
Use Management Information System, 2021). It allow business managers to assist firm to get
various benefits from investment in business process, equipment, personnel. Adoption of this
system in business allow them to make decision, collect various information of business,
collaborating and communicate.
Evaluation of information system: Walmart is an organisation which is using Inventory control
system in their organisation which helps them to track inventory of company. It also assist them
to track inventory though operation process from warehouse to departmental store. It helps them
to meet demand created by customers for specific products and service.
Recommendation for big data solution
Big data can be described massive availability as well as growth of structured and unstructured
data. It is one of term that can be refer to volume of data and includes use of technology for
purpose of handling volume and storage of data facility, it is based on three main dimension
including volume, variety and velocity. Technology is one of important component that is
playing important role for purpose of managing operation. An organisation with advance and
effective technology can store, management and use data in efficient manner (Flick, 2018). It is
required by company that allow them to think different and introduce new ways fro managing
data. It is important for company as it provide them competitive advantage and also it helps them
to improve skills of employees. There are different types of technology available in market that
is required by company in order to meet their objectives and goals. Using technology also
provide long term benefits to company. In order to provide big data solution various
recommendation are made to board of director of Walmart which are mentioned below:
It can be recommended that Walmart should use data and other information in effective manner
that satisfy needs of employees, customers through their operation and control. These systems
allow them to sorting and managing data in efficient manner and also allow them to find out any
information at any time without wasting time for searching information.

It is also recommending to managers of Walmart that their focus should be on both
qualitative and quantitative data that is essential in order to make decisions. It assist them to
manage information and other activities of business. There are different types of factors to be
consider by managers of company while making decisions.
It is advised to managers of Walmart to update their information system like inventory
control system, information management system and other on timely basis. This update in
systems helps them to improve bugs. Adoption of technology in business helps them in various
manner as it improve speed of their operation process. It allows them to use various feature for
managing data collection process and other management activities. It is also recommended to
managers to manage data of employees in efficient manner as employees are considered as
valuable assets of company. If information related to employees are going out of organisation, it
can create threat for them. In order to get benefits, it is essential for organisation to protect data
of their employees.
Advantage and disadvantage of proposed solution:
Walmart is increasingly using technology, software and system in their organisation.
They are focusing on making their organisation as becoming technology centric company that
assist them for transforming itself into tech innovating company instead of having retail stores.
CEO of Walmart is stating that they are focusing on developing new capability that assist them
to serve customers in effective manner (Walmart Strategy: A Combination of Innovation,
Technologies, and Acquisitions, 2022). They also explains that it is important for business to
understand shift occur in technology in retail sector. It provide them opportunity to adopt
innovation and differentiate their products and service. In order to avoid their technology to be
copied by competitors, this company is focusing on adopting patent.
It provide them various advantage and disadvantage in compare to Amazon's strategy
which is mentioned below:
It provide them advantage in compare to Amazon strategy as it allow them to
differentiate their organisation and avoid human contact in their business. It is important for
purpose of enhancing experience of customers which is important for them. It also helps them to
reduce time of purchase in compare.

It also create disadvantage for Walmart in comparison to Amazon' strategy as it increase
threat of data breaching Any technological error create problems for business as it takes time for
them to repair it. It can create bad impression in mind of consumer about company.
Question 3
By taking into account information from the latest programme of Walmart (ethics and
compliance) and implications associated with information handling and security.
The General Data Protection Regulation has been made within EU which allows data to
be protected and privacy maintained within an organization. The act has been used for making
vital information provided over data taking place within an organization. GDPR holds
importance component of legal system of UK making issue related to whistle blower and data
secrecy deal in more effective manner (Andrew and Baker, 2021). There is certain important
principle included within the act which are Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency this principle
helps in creating more effective perspective which makes data to be circulated only by consent of
an individual. Also fairness means data protected with fair means and should not be disclosed to
anyone. Purpose limitation this is one of the most important perspective which has been used in
order to develop limitation over data which has been circulating within the organization. Also the
act believes in developing integrity and confidentiality which makes data to be protected through
secured means. Through this ethical code of conduct, managers are able to make discipline in
their organisation. In this principle of accountability has been used which makes management
responsible for circulating any personal information related to employees working in an
organization (Dove, 2018). Data minimization is another principle that is used in organisation for
purpose of asking for less information from clients. It can be done for purpose of increasing
security of personal data of client. The act has been used by an organization like Walmart in
order to protect ethical practices by maintain customers trust over them. It is also identified that
information of customers can be protected by using more efficient system an software in
company that protect data of them from rivals. This makes ethics protected. This is important for
making ethical consideration achieved by an organization through making discipline and order
maintained within an organization. Professionalism is related to GDPR in a way that Walmart by
protecting its important data is able to develop professionalism within its working of
organization by allowing more effective strategies followed which makes positive approach
developed over an organization. It is a professional aspect for walmart as it make their

employees more safe against threat cause to them and also contributing to protect their personal
data from others. Improvement in data through GDPR assist them for developed strong legal
strategies for company that helps them to protect important information of company (Jia, Jin and
Wagman, 2021). Through GDPR Walmart is able to protect its employee's security through legal
structure been prepared for it making organization image improved within market. Further, it
helps in making security of employee provided in relation over its personal information security
which makes employee's satisfaction created over the job performed by them. Thus it can be
marked that GDPR has been used by Walmart in protecting all kind of important information
related to organization and its operations protected more effectively. Through GDPR all-
important perspective related over ethics, professionalism and security maintained within an
organization like Walmart.
It is essential for a business in the recent times to focus on analysing key goals and
objectives and achieve them in a sustainable manner. The companies like Walmart should
manage and develop ethics in different employees for overall development of business entity.
Performing all operations in an ethical manner helps a business to sustain at marketplace with
great stability. The GDPR regulations are related to developing rules and regulations for
management of data and its synchronization in a well-defined manner. General data protection
regulations are mainly developed by European Union to set data management guidelines.
Companies in the international and national marketplace should focus on analysing practices
related to information and technology to comply with cyber laws. Developing a professional
approach will also help the business entity to focus on key organisational goals and objectives to
develop at the marketplace. Practices of a business with support of ethics can help a business to
develop systematic operations with increased stability. The GDPR data protection guidelines that
are developed by government of European Union are compulsory to be followed by a business.
Employment legislation based practices which are compulsory to be followed by a business
entity to conduct legal and ethical business. The companies in the domestic business marketplace
focus on analysing key goals and objectives with development of social and legal parameters.
Walmart is using ethical consideration by ensuring safety of personal data of consumer
from third part access as there are various unauthorised user can access to this information can
cause to financial threat for customers.

Walmart is also focusing on protecting information of their employees as it can harm
them in many ways. Rivals of company can use this information to hire their employees by
offering them more salary.
The functioning of a business also involves various ethical and legal approaches that are
beneficial for increasing company's strength. Walmart should focus on realizing importance of
GDPR and should hire skilled and trained staff to follow the same practices. Managers of
Walmart should also focus on development of key responsibilities of human resource
management in order to develop the management of large number of employees. Also it is key
responsibility of management of a company to take assistance of top level and board of directors
for the development of effective decision making. Managers should also analyse major factors
that are associated with business environment to follow GDPR guidelines. Focus of managers of
Walmart should be on having a separate legal department which is involved in implementation of
GDPR regulations with effective supervision and control. The key role of management of a
business is to focus on all ethical policies and their implementation for overall development of
company. Also with the help and support of GDPR guidelines, a company can easily achieve all
its short, medium and long term goals in a precise and systematic manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Almaiah, M.A., 2018. Acceptance and usage of a mobile information system services in
University of Jordan. Education and Information Technologies, 23(5), pp.1873-1895.
Andrew, J. and Baker, M., 2021. The general data protection regulation in the age of surveillance
capitalism. Journal of Business Ethics, 168(3), pp.565-578.
Chakraborty, S. and Mukhopadhyay, S., 2019. Assessing flood risk using analytical hierarchy
process (AHP) and geographical information system (GIS): application in Coochbehar
district of West Bengal, India. Natural hazards, 99(1), pp.247-274.
Dove, E.S., 2018. The EU general data protection regulation: implications for international
scientific research in the digital era. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 46(4), pp.1013-
1030.
Flick, U., 2018. Triangulation in data collection. The SAGE handbook of qualitative data
collection, pp.527-544.
Hamidi, H. and Jahanshaheefard, M., 2019. Essential factors for the application of education
information system using mobile learning: A case study of students of the university of
technology. Telematics and Informatics, 38, pp.207-224.
Almaiah, M.A., 2018. Acceptance and usage of a mobile information system services in
University of Jordan. Education and Information Technologies, 23(5), pp.1873-1895.
Chakraborty, S. and Mukhopadhyay, S., 2019. Assessing flood risk using analytical hierarchy
process (AHP) and geographical information system (GIS): application in Coochbehar
district of West Bengal, India. Natural hazards, 99(1), pp.247-274.
Flick, U., 2018. Triangulation in data collection. The SAGE handbook of qualitative data
collection, pp.527-544.
Hamidi, H. and Jahanshaheefard, M., 2019. Essential factors for the application of education
information system using mobile learning: A case study of students of the university of
technology. Telematics and Informatics, 38, pp.207-224.
Pramanik, D., Mondal, S.C. and Haldar, A., 2020. A framework for managing uncertainty in
information system project selection: An intelligent fuzzy approach. International
Journal of Management Science and Engineering Management, 15(1), pp.70-78.
Sivaparthipan, C.B., Karthikeyan, N. and Karthik, S., 2020. Designing statistical assessment
healthcare information system for diabetics analysis using big data. Multimedia Tools
and Applications, 79(13), pp.8431-8444.
Online:
How Does Walmart Use Management Information System, 2021. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.kyinbridges.com/how-does-walmart-use-management-information-system/>
Walmart Strategy: A Combination of Innovation, Technologies, and Acquisitions, 2021.
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.greyb.com/walmart-strategy/>

What is Walmart’s Organizational Structure, 2021. [Online]. Available through:
<https://howigotjob.com/articles/walmarts-organizational-structure/>