Introduction
This paper presents the case of Wal- Mart stores, a large retail company that runs different warehouses and departmental stores in different parts of the world.
From the case study, the paper presents the significance, scope and magnitude of the phenomenon and identifies the dilemma faced by the management through the use of the Management-Research Question Hierarchy. A management research question hierarchy is a process through which solutions to a particular situation or management dilemma is sought (Doane & Seward, 2010).
Significance, scope, and magnitude of the phenomenon
The research study was carried out to include all Wal-Mart stores in the US. The company, during these harsh economic times, is facing a serious reduction in sales, with a record of a 2.6 percent reduction in store visits.
The 82.8 million drop in visits, during the first 5 months of this fiscal year, comes at a time when the company’s competitors, such as the Dollar General Corp and the Kroger Co., have recorded an increase in sales (MMR, 2011).
Management Dilemma
This defines the existing problem that needs to be solved (Cooper & Schindler, 2011). The current issue faced by Wal-Mart is that of reduced traffic of clients in their stores, hence, a reduction in sales.
Management Decision
This identifies the final decision made on the action to be taken to solve the existing dilemma (Cooper & Schindler, 2011). Wal-Mart needs to ensure that they address all the current demands of their clients as a way of ensuring customer retention.
It is important that the management rebuilds the company’s leadership in prices as well as delivers all that its clients require. According to the CEO, Bill Simon, the company is working towards ensuring that providing a range of quality products at reduced prices all the time.
Conclusion
Wal-Mart’s management dilemma has been described as being reduced sore traffic that has, in turn, reduced sales. By identifying this dilemma, the management-research question hierarchy has identified the management questions research questions, investigative questions and the measurement questions. The management decision has also been identified to provide a solution for the management’s dilemma.
References
Cooper, R. & Schindler, S. (2011). Business Research Methods. NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Doane, P. & Seward, E. (2010). Applied Statistics in Business and Economics. NY: McGraw-Hill.
MMR. (2011). Walmart’s Dilemma. Mass Market retailers, 22: 16.