Posted: March 11th, 2015

milestone 2

milestone 2

Wal-Mart’s Business Practices
Introduction
Organizational behavior is a multifaceted discipline that is concerned with the nature and behavior of people within organizations and the nature and behavior of organizations within the surrounding (Miner, 2006, p. 3). In this case organizational behavior deals with both individuals and holistic organizations. The paper evaluates the Wal-Mart’s business practices and relates them to organizational behavior; in addition, it states research questions and highlights what would be gained from the research.

Wal-Mart’s Business Practices
Wal-Mart was ranked as the richest business in the world in the 2012; it is also the leading single employer in the U.S apart from the federal government and the largest employer on earth (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011, p. 376).  Although the organization is respected internationally, its employees complain of unsuitable working conditions, gender-based discriminations, low wages, violation of employees’ rights and harassment.  Consequently, employees have filed lawsuits against the organization (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011, p. 376).   Individuals working for Wal-Mart have negative perceptions about interpersonal justice, procedural justice and informational justice.  The treatment of employees is part of the organizational behavior

Research Questions
The research questions related to the organizational behavior include:
?    How is Wal-Mart sustaining its competitive advantage when it is not treating its employees fairly?
?    Can Wal-Mart’s culture of gender- based discrimination ensure sustained expansion in other countries?
?    Should Wal-Mart allow its employees to be unionized to enhance fairness, reduce worker strikes and ensure sustained customer satisfaction?

The rationale of selecting Wal-Mart’s business practice is due to the outcry of media news about how it treats its employees.  According to Al-Jazeera, Wal-Mart has organizational behavior characterized by greedy business practices and exploitation (2012, p, 1).  Furthermore, it is a single leading private employer in the world; therefore, researching about the nature and behavior of its employees in addition to how it treats them is reasonable.
At the end of the research,   the strategies used by the Wal-Mart to remain competitive amid employee outcry will be understood. Secondly, the research findings will indicate whether the organization plans to improve employees’ working conditions, terms of service and reduce gender-based violence.

References
Al-Jazeera. (2012, 14th December). Wal-Mart’s Horrific Treatment of Workers is Too Big to     Ignore. Web. Accessed on 26/2/2015
Griffin, R. and Moorhead, G. (2011). Organizational Behavior.  New Jersey: Cengage Learning
Miner, J. B.  (2006). Organizational Behavior Three: Historical origins, Theoretical Foundations     and the Future. New York:  M. E Sharpe Inc.

Milestone 2: Outline of Final Paper
Critical Elements    Exemplary     Proficient    Needs Improvement      Not Evident     Value
Milestone Submission:
Outline of Final Paper
Meets “Proficient” criteria and outline is robust and comprehensive

(9-10)    Outline includes all of the elements set forth in the assignment instructions

(8)    Creates a fair outline. Outline includes some of the elements set forth in the assignment instructions
(7)    Does not create an outline or outline does not include the elements set forth in the assignment instructions
(0-6)    10
Abstract and Introduction
Meets “Proficient” criteria and abstract includes research questions along with a clearly stated purpose of the paper

(14-15)    Abstract and introduction are easily identifiable and are both clearly stated; however, abstract does not include research questions
(12-13)    Abstract and introduction are not clearly communicated and abstract does not include research questions

(11)    Does not include abstract and/or introduction

(0-10)    15
Major Points/Arguments    Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas relating to the OB issue or problem

(23-25)    Major points/arguments are clearly stated and relate to the OB issue or problem

(20-22)    Very few major points/arguments are stated that relate to the OB issue or problem

(18-19)    Does not include major points/arguments and/or major points/arguments do not relate to the OB issue or problem

(0-17)    25
Solutions    Meets “Proficient” criteria and explores multiple issues through extensive collection and in-depth analysis of evidence before recommending solutions
(23-25)    Proposes at least three solutions to the OB issue. Explores some issues through collection and in-depth analysis of evidence before recommending solutions
(20-22)    Proposes very few solutions. Explores minimal issues through collection and analysis of evidence before recommending solutions

(18-19)    Does not explore issues through collection and analysis of evidence and does not propose solutions

(0-17)    25
Research     Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates at least six scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research
(14-15)    Incorporates some scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research

(12-13)    Incorporates very few scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research

(11)    Does not incorporate scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research

(0-10)    15
Articulation of Response    Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format
(9-10)    Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

(8)    Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas
(7)    Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

(0-6)    10
Earned Total
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