Walmart case

n the first half of the assignment, you will prepare for Walmart to operate in a foreign market. You will need to do the following:

Analyze at least two leadership models and/or styles to determine which one will be more suitable for leading employees and for responding to stakeholders in a country outside of North America.
Determine the leadership competencies that would be beneficial to you as a leader in the selected foreign market. You will choose Peru, New Zealand, Philippines, Egypt, Czech Republic, or the United Arab Emirates for your analysis.
Compare and contrast concepts of cultural leadership according to how they can be applied in the country that you have selected.
Determine the leadership skills and practices that should be used to foster team and organizational success.
In the second half of the assignment, you will conduct an analysis of the country where you have decided to expand operations. The analysis must include:

The rationale for country selection based on demographic and economic data.
The analysis should inform leadership about the country’s culture based upon GLOBE’s nine dimensions of culture as argued in Lumen (n.d.).
Incorporate each of the nine dimensions of culture in an analysis that will be hypothetically presented to Walmart leadership. When using the nine dimensions, current information about the culture of the selected country must be used

Full Answer Section

         
    • Suitability for the Philippines: This style is also very fitting. The Philippines has a strong culture of "pakikisama" (getting along with others) and a high regard for those who prioritize the well-being of their team. Servant leadership would resonate well with Filipino employees and stakeholders.
  • Chosen Leadership Style:
    • A blend of transformational and servant leadership would be ideal. The transformational aspect will provide the needed vision and motivation for employees, and the servant aspect will provide the needed care for the employees.

2. Leadership Competencies for the Philippines:

  • Cultural Intelligence (CQ):
    • The ability to understand and adapt to different cultural contexts. This is crucial for navigating the nuances of Filipino culture, including communication styles, values, and social norms.
  • Relationship Building:
    • The ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with employees, customers, and stakeholders. This is essential for building trust and fostering collaboration.
  • Communication Skills:
    • Effective communication is vital for conveying Walmart's vision, providing clear instructions, and resolving conflicts. This includes both verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as the ability to adapt to different communication styles.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility:
    • The ability to adjust to changing circumstances and embrace new ideas. This is particularly important in a dynamic and evolving market like the Philippines.
  • Ethical Leadership:
    • Maintaining high ethical standards and promoting fairness and transparency. This is essential for building a positive reputation and earning the trust of employees and stakeholders.
  • Humility:
    • Filipino culture greatly values humility. A leader that displays humility will gain the respect of the people.

3. Cultural Leadership Concepts in the Philippines:

  • "Pakikisama" (Getting Along):
    • This concept emphasizes the importance of maintaining harmonious relationships and avoiding conflict. Leaders should prioritize building rapport and fostering a sense of community.
  • "Utang na Loob" (Debt of Gratitude):
    • This concept involves a sense of reciprocal obligation and gratitude. Leaders should demonstrate appreciation for their employees' contributions and build a culture of mutual respect.
  • Respect for Authority:
    • Filipino culture values hierarchy and respect for elders and those in positions of authority. Leaders should demonstrate respect for local customs and traditions.  
  • Family-Oriented Culture:
    • Filipinos place a high value on family and community. Leaders should recognize the importance of work-life balance and create a supportive work environment.
  • Collectivism:
    • The Philippines is a collectivist culture. Group harmony is valued over individual achievement.

4. Leadership Skills and Practices for Team and Organizational Success:

  • Team Building:
    • Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.
  • Cross-Cultural Communication:
    • Provide training on effective cross-cultural communication to ensure clear and respectful interactions.
  • Mentoring and Development:
    • Invest in employee training and development to enhance their skills and promote career growth.
  • Recognition and Rewards:
    • Recognize and reward employee contributions to foster motivation and engagement.
  • Conflict Resolution:
    • Develop effective strategies for resolving conflicts in a culturally sensitive manner.
  • Building trust:
    • Consistent actions that build trust will greatly increase the success of the organization.

Part 2: Country Analysis (Philippines)

1. Rationale for Country Selection (Demographic and Economic Data):

  • Demographics:
    • The Philippines has a large and growing population, with a significant youth demographic. This presents a large potential consumer base.  
    • High urbanization rates create opportunities for retail expansion.
    • High levels of english speaking citizens.
  • Economic Data:
    • The Philippines has a steadily growing economy, with increasing consumer spending and a rising middle class.  
    • The retail sector is expanding, with increasing demand for modern retail formats.  
    • The rise of e-commerce, but the need for physical stores is still very high.

2. GLOBE's Nine Dimensions of Culture in the Philippines:

  • Power Distance:
    • The Philippines has a high power distance, meaning there is a strong acceptance of hierarchical structures and respect for authority. Walmart leaders should be mindful of this and maintain clear lines of authority.  
  • Individualism vs. Collectivism:
    • The Philippines is a collectivist culture, emphasizing group harmony and loyalty. Walmart should foster a team-oriented work environment and promote a sense of community.  
  • Uncertainty Avoidance:
    • The Philippines has a moderate to high uncertainty avoidance, meaning there is a preference for clear rules and procedures. Walmart should provide clear guidelines and minimize ambiguity.
  • Gender Egalitarianism:
    • The Philippines has a relatively high gender egalitarianism, with women playing significant roles in society and the workforce. Walmart should promote gender equality and diversity.
  • Assertiveness:
    • The Philippines has a moderate level of assertiveness, with a preference for indirect communication and avoiding confrontation. Walmart leaders should be mindful of this and communicate respectfully.  
  • Future Orientation:
    • The Philippines has a moderate future orientation, with a focus on long-term planning and sustainability. Walmart should align its strategies with the country's long-term goals.
  • Performance Orientation:
    • The Philippines has a moderate performance orientation, with a focus on achieving goals and improving performance. Walmart should recognize and reward employee achievements.
  • Humane Orientation:
    • The Philippines has a high humane orientation, emphasizing compassion, kindness, and generosity. Walmart should demonstrate social responsibility and contribute to the community.
  • In-Group Collectivism:
    • The philippines has a high level of in-group collectivism. Loyalty to family and close groups is highly valued. Walmart should build strong relationships with local communities.

3. Hypothetical Presentation to Walmart Leadership:

"Good morning, leadership. After careful consideration, we recommend expanding Walmart's operations into the Philippines. This market presents significant opportunities due to its large and growing population, expanding economy, and rising middle class. To ensure success, we must adopt a leadership approach that blends transformational and servant leadership, prioritizing relationship building, cultural intelligence, and ethical conduct. We must also acknowledge the Filipino culture. The Philippines has a high power distance, collectivist culture, and high humane orientation. By adapting our leadership style and business practices to align with these cultural dimensions, we can build strong relationships with employees, customers, and stake

Sample Answer

       

Part 1: Leadership for Walmart's Foreign Market Expansion (Philippines)

1. Leadership Models and Styles:

  • Transformational Leadership:
    • This model focuses on inspiring and motivating followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Transformational leaders build strong relationships, foster a shared vision, and empower employees.
    • Suitability for the Philippines: This style would be highly effective. Filipino culture values strong relationships, respect for authority, and a sense of community. A transformational leader can build trust and inspire employees to embrace Walmart's goals while respecting local values.
  • Servant Leadership:
    • This model prioritizes the needs of followers and emphasizes serving others. Servant leaders focus on developing their team members, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting ethical behavior.
    • Suitability for the Philippines: This style is also very fitting. The Philippines has a strong culture of "pakikisama" (getting along with others) and a high regard for those who prioritize the well-being of their team. Servant leadership would resonate well with Filipino employees and stakeholders.