Management Information Systems: A Case Study of Walmart

This article is a case study of Walmart and discusses the ways in which different business units of Walmart are interconnected, different forms of data, role of data warehousing in Walmart, and more. It also provides recommendations and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the system. The article also talks about ethics and compliance in Walmart.

Information Systems (Distinction )

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
QUESTION 1..................................................................................................................................3
Ways in which different business units of Walmart are interconnected.....................................3
QUESTION 2..................................................................................................................................7
Different forms of data................................................................................................................7
Role of data warehousing in Walmart.........................................................................................8
Current information system.........................................................................................................8
Recommendations........................................................................................................................9
Advantages and disadvantages of system....................................................................................9
QUESTION 3................................................................................................................................10
Information from latest programme of Walmart.......................................................................10
GDPR data protection legislation..............................................................................................10
Key concerns of ethical, legal and professional implications....................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERNCES.................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Information system can be defined as a kind of system that has been designed for
collecting, processing, storing, analysing and distributing information. There are many different
kinds of information system and each of them have their own importance and usage. Various
organizations uses these information systems as per their needs, requirements and importance.
Adoption of business information system directly helps in management of business task for
achievement of required information in an appropriate manner. this assignment will lay emphasis
upon a case study of Walmart for identifying strategies that can be adopted by Walmart for
enhancing their overall their e-commerce shares. For this different business units of Walmart
have been explained with the help of interconnection within them, role of data warehousing in
Walmart, ethical, legal and professional implications associated with information handling and
security in Walmart. Walmart is an American multinational retail sector organization that
operates as a chain of hypermarket, departmental stores, grocery stores etc. it was founded
in1969 whose main headquarter is in Arkansas, U.S.
QUESTION 1
Ways in which different business units of Walmart are interconnected
Walmart is one of the largest retail sector organizations that operates in US. They are
focusing upon enhancing their presence in retail sector market as well as are also focusing upon
enhancing their shares in e- commerce (Chakraborty, Deniz and Omari, 2021). They have
expanded their business internationally and operate in different countries such as US, India,
Canada, Africa, Central America, Chile and in Mexico. In order to enhance their business, they
have focused upon dividing their business in four different segments that are: Walmart U.S.,
Global e- commerce and technology, Walmart International and Sam's Club. All of these four
segments focus upon different business operations of Walmart. Walmart follows a hierarchical
functional organizational structure. This type of structure is also known as matrix structure. All
the four main segments of Walmart can be explained with the help of its organizational structure
shown below:

Figure 1 Organizational structure of Walmart at top executive level
This directly helps in achieving better and consistent results in terms of performance and
operations. As Walmart is a multinational chain that deals in retail industry, adoption of such
kind of structure that helps them in easily dealing in e-commerce market, in a much flexible
manner in a rigid and continuous changing market environment (Chen and et .al., 2021). All the
four business segments of Walmart have their own importance and operates in different manner.
Such as: Walmart US segment focuses upon company’s mass merchant concept. Whereas
Walmart international focuses upon organization’s operations outside US. On the other hand,
Walmart’s Sam’s Club segment focuses upon warehouse membership clubs in the United States.
Lastly, Global eCommerce and Technology segment focuses upon management of all the
websites of Walmart, presence of Walmart in eCommerce industry so that their online product
sales can be enhanced and can be managed in all the 24 countries n which they operate.
Walmart has a matrix structure which consist of hierarchy based and functional based
structure. This is because this type of organizational structure directly help Walmart in managing
flow of power within organization and it is important to be focused upon as Walmart is a
multinational organization that operates globally so flow of power within Walmart is required to
be managed in an appropriate manner (Chatterjee, 2017). So, this matrix structure directly help
Walmart is managing their business operations in easy and appropriate manner.
Hierarchy based organizational structure included every store and their employees in
which as employees move higher in the structure their responsibilities get expanded. Whereas
functional based organizational structures provided all the individuals to grow asp er their
capabilities. Combination of this structure directly help Walmart in guiding all of their
employees within entire organization.

In order to manage work of all the employees working for Walmart structure at
operational level for Walmart is different that has been explained below in details manner.
Figure 2 Organizational structure of Walmart at operational level

From the above data flow, it can be clearly helped in explaining that all the four main
business segments of Walmart have their own operations, priorities and objectives to be
achieved. Customer segment of all the four business segments are also different. Such as Sam’s
Club is one of the main business segment of Walmart and their customers are merchandise and
suppliers. This business segment of Walmart majorly focuses upon all kinds of merchandisers
and suppliers who can provide products and required goods to suppliers easily. Whereas,
Walmart International business segment are the customers who use e-commerce website for
ordering products required by them globally (Chatterjee, 2017). Whereas Walmart US focuses
upon management of customers who focuses upon purchasing products from Brick and motor
stores of Walmart. Whereas, Global e-commerce and technology business segment focuses upon
updating and maintaining all kinds of information system adopted by the organization. all the
three business segments of Walmart directly affect Walmart international this is because
Walmart international is majorly responsible for updating and maintaining all the BI tools,
websites adopted by organization globally and same and marketing of Walmart globally, not
only this Sam’s Club has their own website so changes or updates within this website also affect

Walmart international. Because of which it can be said that Walmart international is partially
dependent upon operations of remaining three main business segments (Chatterjee, 2017).
Whereas, on the other hand, Walmart ecommerce and technology segment is dependent upon
Walmart international because any kinds of changes or updates within any website of Walmart
globally affect e-commerce and technology business segment.
From the above discussion it is clear that all the four main business segment of Walmart
has their own importance and business objectives. each of them together helps Walmart in
operating successfully and with a consistent manner at selected retail global market. one business
segment handle their merchandise and seller, one handle technology used by them, one of them
handle brick and motor stores of Walmart and one of then handle all the ecommerce websites of
Walmart for all the 24 countries.
QUESTION 2
Different forms of data
There are different forms of data in information system which can be applied by an
organisation so that better products can be provided to people and satisfy their needs. Different
type of data are:
Big data analytics- this describes the process of uncovering trends, patterns and large amount of
data to help make informed decisions. Big data analytics is beneficial for an organisation as it
helps in reducing cost, increases efficiency of company, improves pricing. It allows a firm to
focus on local preferences and helps in increasing sales and loyalty. It ensures hire right
employees who have the ability to work efficiently (Vysotska and et.al., 2019).
Machine data – this is process of aggregating and visualisation of data which is generated from
software and there are different sources like, smart phones and other devices. This system is
beneficial as it assess data and provide proper analysis. This system helps in business to target
customers and relevant messages are given to customers. With the help of this system customers
can get relevant details and messages are based on customer activities and interactions.
Time stamped data – this system represents multiple versions of same source data within one
database. This information system is easy to use and permits various file formats. This is applied
to working system. An organisation is applying this system so that different file format can be
permitted.

Role of data warehousing in Walmart
Data warehousing means a type of data management system which is designed to support
activities related to business intelligence. Data warehouse are intended to perform problems or
queries and analysis. This often contains large amount of historical data and it is beneficial in
supporting business activities (MayaSari, 2017). Walmart is using big data analytics as it allows
large volumes of internal and external data. Data warehousing plays a crucial role in Walmart
because it helps in increasing their productivity, improves efficiency and predictability. Walmart
has massive data collection which is used by management so that they can run business
smoothly. Data warehousing is important for all organisations because it helps in improving
overall productivity of firm and better services can be provided to people. This is beneficial for
growth of company and better plans can be made so that goals and objectives can be
accomplished. Walmart is one of the world’s biggest retailer company which is providing good
quality of products to customers and understanding customer needs so that targets can be
achieved. This helps in creating positive image in market and people are attracted because they
are getting good products and services. It is important to use data warehouse as it is beneficial in
achieving targets and need of customer can be fulfilled.
Current information system
Information system refers to a formal, organisational system which is designed to collect,
store and distribute information so that relevant details can be collected. It helps in achieving
goals and objectives of company. This system helps in gathering collect information and plans
can be made accordingly. Information system allows data for extraction of details which is used
by companies to improve knowledge and strategies can be made accordingly so that firm can
accomplish targets (Zhang and et.al., 2018). This knowledge helps in solving problems and
managers of Walmart company can make better plans. Walmart uses EDI system for
procurement. This system refers to an electronic data interchange system by which transfer data
through the internet.
This system is beneficial for supplier to monitor their product sales. It is essential to apply
information system so that work can be done properly and it helps in accomplishing targets. This
system allows suppliers to monitor their products sales and it is essential to apply system so that
better plans can be made and it helps in achieving targets. Walmart is applying technology so
that goals and objectives can be accomplished. Benefits of using information system is better

communication, reduced risk of errors, greater productivity, real time data and improves
efficiency. It is essential to apply information system so that better plans can be made and goals
of organisation can be accomplished.
Recommendations
There are some recommendations which can be applied by managers of Walmart company
so that they can perform better than others and it helps in achieving goals and objectives
(Trofimova and et.al., 2019). It is essential to make plans so that targets can be achieved and it
improves efficiency of organisation. Big data analytics can be applied by managers of Walmart
company to gather information which is beneficial for running business smoothly. Big data
analytics is the process of uncovering trends and help them in taking good decision. Big data
analytics is beneficial for company because it helps in reducing cost, increases efficiency of
organisation, improves pricing of firm and focus on local preferences. Managers should apply
new and latest technology and identify choice of people so that better services can be provided
and it helps in achieving targets. For performing better than others, it is essential to satisfy need
of customer and provide them good quality products to generate more profit. Managers should
use latest information system so that targets of firm can be achieved and it helps in creating
positive image in market. Relevant information should be gathered so that better plans can be
made. Walmart should apply better strategies than competitors to gain competitive advantage.
Advantages and disadvantages of system
Amazon is implementing a new innovative strategy “ Amazon Go” convenient stores in
which customers can simply pick up items and walk out of the store without checking on a
cashier. This is a strategy which is applied by Amazon to attract people and this helps in
increasing profit of company (Lozynska, Savchuk and Pasichnyk, 2019). It is essential to make
plans and apply new technology so that more people can be attracted and it helps in achieving
goals and objectives of organisation. Big data analytics can be applied because it helps in
reducing cost, increases efficiency. It improves pricing of company and better plans can be made
which is beneficial for achieving targets. It allows to focus on local preferences and using big
data analytics helps you increases sales and loyalty. It ensures to hire right employees for the
organisation so that goals and objectives can be accomplished. Some disadvantages of this
system are, it violates principles of privacy, it can be used for manipulation of customer records,
it increases social stratification and this system is not used for short run. In this system, there is

unorganised data, data storage and retention, cost management, incompetent analytics and data
privacy issues.
QUESTION 3
Information from latest programme of Walmart
Ethics refers to moral principles which govern behaviour of person or the conducting of
activity. It is important for an organisation to apply ethics and compliance so that work can be
completed on time. this helps in achieving goals and objectives of firm and needs of customer
should be satisfied. It is essential to apply ethics because it helps in achieving targets and goals
can be achieved. Ethics in Walmart company are, respect, service, excellence and integrity.
These are some ethics which should be applied in an organisation so that targets can be
accomplished. It is important to apply ethics so that customers can be attracted and better plans
can be made. Ethics plays a crucial role in success of an organisation because it helps in taking
better decisions.
Compliance means laws and regulations which can be applied within an organisation so
that goals and objectives can be accomplished. This means complying with the laws of the
communities where business can be done. Walmart are expected to operate business as per
standards and values such as, respect, service, excellence and integrity (Paustian and et.al.,
2019). It is essential to apply laws and regulations in an organisation so that work can be
completed properly. Setting ethics and compliance means correct structure should be applied,
developing standards and controls to maintain compliance, training associates on compliance and
controls issues. Rules and regulations are made by company to run business smoothly and plans
can be made to achieve targets. It is important to monitor issues and find solutions so that targets
can be accomplished. Walmart is one of the fastest growing company and providing good quality
of products to customers so that their needs can be satisfied.
GDPR data protection legislation
GDPR (General data protection regulation) refers to the toughest privacy and security law
in the world. It is important to apply rules and regulation so that work can be completed on time
and it helps in achieving goals and objectives of firm. It is essential for an organisation to apply
data protection legislation because details which is collected should be kept confidential so that
profit can be earned by firm (Henningsson, Yetton and Wynne, 2018). In every firm, managers

are making plans for data protection and rules are made which is to be followed by everyone so
that targets can be accomplished. There are some principles of data protection act such as,
lawfulness, transparency, fairness, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, integrity and
confidentiality. It is also important to maintain accountability and make rules for security so that
information can be kept safely. GDPR is beneficial for an organisation because it is easier
business process automation, increased trust and credibility.
This helps in creating better understanding of the data or information which is being
collected. General data protection regulation helps in improving data management. It is essential
to apply rules and regulations for data protection so that better plans can be made and it helps in
achieving targets. It helps in increasing trust and credibility, managers can manage things
properly and goals of firm can be accomplished. It improved data management and security of
information is important. Managers should make rules and regulations for data protection and
there must be proper security to keep details safe. For achieving goals and objectives, it is
essential to apply proper rules and focus on protecting data which is beneficial for growth and
development of company.
Key concerns of ethical, legal and professional implications
There are some key concerns of ethical implications such as, honesty and integrity,
objectivity, carefulness, openness, respect for intellectual property, confidentiality of information
which is collected, legality and responsible publication. It is essential to apply ethical principles
in an organisation because it helps in achieving goals and objectives. These ethical implications
help in accomplishing targets and all employees should work honestly and did not share
information with anyone. Some details should be kept confidential, managers of Walmart
company are making rules and regulations so that targets can be accomplished and it helps in
maintaining confidentiality (Azmi and Sri, 2020).
While working in an organisation, employees should work honestly. There are some key
concerns of professional implication which is applied in Walmart company such as,
trustworthiness, honesty, transparency, accountability, confidentiality, objectivity, respect,
follow rules and regulations. It is essential to make proper rules and apply laws because it helps
in achieving targets. Managers are responsible for making plans and making improvements so
that there will be no issue and work can be completed properly.

CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it can be concluded that, information system is a process in
which information is collected, store and distribute details. This system helps in collecting
information and organise data. This system is used to manage and analyse all types of data and
better plans can be made for achieving targets. The report examines, different business units of
Walmart are interconnected and an organisation chart has been described. Direction of data flows
within the organisation and reasons behind this structure has been discussed. Different forms of
data and role of data warehousing in Walmart has been described. Evaluation of current
information system and recommendations to board of directors has been described. Latest
programme of Walmart (ethics and compliance) and new GDPR data protection legislation has
been discussed. Key concerns about ethical, legal and professional implications associated with
information handling and security has been described.

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