Corporate Codes of Conduct: Walmart and Free Market Analysis

This discussion analyzes corporate codes of conduct, using Walmart as a case study. The first part examines Walmart's code of conduct, its strengths and weaknesses, and its grounding in utilitarianism. It also explores the company's compliance measures. The second part delves into the concept of the "invisible hand" in a free market, discussing the role of government intervention, particularly in cases of monopolies and unequal opportunities. The author argues that while the invisible hand is often sufficient, government intervention is sometimes necessary to ensure the well-being of society and address issues like exploitation and unfair wages. The discussion uses examples like McDonald's and Con Edison to support the arguments.

Running head: CORPORATES CODES OF CONDUCT 1
Corporates Codes of Conduct
Student Name
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CORPORATES CODES OF CONDUCT 2
Corporates Codes of Conduct
Discussion 1
Walmart Inc. is a multinational retail company situated in the U.S and operates discount
stores, hypermarkets and grocery stores. The company was founded by Sam Walton I 1962 and
has its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company has several stores and clubs is 27
countries operating under different names. It’s the world's largest company according to Fortune
Global 500 2019 list and thus the largest employer across the world with up to 2.2 million
employees. The company values are the source of its strength in business. The company’s values
states that “let values guide our decisions. Treat people with respect, put the customer first, strive
for excellence and act with integrity (McMillon, 2019).
The company has established a compliance office to ascertain that the values and the
standards guiding its business are followed to the latter. For instance, the company is accountable
through its Global Ethics and Compliance Program that enhances accountability and
transparency in its operations. Hence, the company empowers its associates to acts as required.
The company has also committed to enhancing its Global Anti-Corruption Program through
training and awareness programs. It implements various systems that manage worldwide permits,
licenses and various donations under the company’s policies (Nygaard, Biong, Silkoset, &
Kidwell, 2017). The company faces challenges in implementing its Codes of Cnduct since irt is a
multinational company. Hence, its weakness lies in coordinating compliance issues with all staffs
across the globe. The code reflects Walmart’s value system grounded in Utilitarianism. In ethics,
utilitarianism offers a management rationale for a corporation with ethical acts that offer the
greatest good for every individual. Walmart is committed to conducting business ethically, in the

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right way whenever they operate for the good of its customers, employees and the entire
Walmart family.
Discussion 2
A free-market society tends to be characterized by unequal opportunity, wealth and
income, from the perspective of utilitarianism. Government intervention will create some form of
equality and boost the quality of life and its citizen’s welfare as it will redistribute the available
income. In cases of monopoly, the government can intervene to stop such industries from
exploiting citizens as in the case of a free market. In a free market, the small minority
populations tend to have more rewards thus undermines the lives of the less fortunate in the
society (Schotter, 2016). For instance, a monopoly company c Con Edinson that offers
electricity, gas and power in the U.S. they have control over the market thus exploit citizen
through hiked prices. If the government intervenes, it would be free of exploitation and instead,
will uphold humanity and offer citizens standardized products that are affordable. In addition,
there would be a creation of an ideal society that individuals will be happy to the part of. In a
free market, firms tend to pay low wages to workers and charge consumers high prices for
products. The government should intervene in such circumstances to ensure that its consumers
achieve a fairer income thus promoting equality and fairness and regulate monopolies (Quah,
2019). Therefore, the invisible hand is not sufficient to serve the wellness of the society.

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References
McMillon, D. (2019). 2019 Update on Walmart’s Global Ethics and Compliance Program.
Retrieved from https://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/global-compliance-
program-report-on-fiscal-year-2019
Nygaard, A., Biong, H., Silkoset, R., & Kidwell, R. E. (2017). Leading by example: Values-
based strategy to instill ethical conduct. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(1).
Quah, D. (2019). The invisible hand and the weightless economy. In Handbook on Green
Growth. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Schotter, A. (2016). Free market economics: A critical appraisal. Macmillan International
Higher Education.