Marketing II

Policies & Selling Ethics

Comparison of Target and Wal-Mart
Kenneth Daniel

13

Companies Selling and Polices

Ethical and environmental policies and practices have undergone radical changes. Around fifteen years ago, companies assumed that environmental and ethical polices only adherence to legal standards. However, things have taken a turn for the better, businesses have now become more vigilant about environmental compliance and business ethics. This shift occurred after the realization that one ought to acquire confidence and respect from their clients. Today, consumers are expecting so much more from business. They require businesses to depict business ethics in their practices. So in order to understand the differences in polices and ethics I am going to compare Wal-Mart and Target. Wal-Mart has one of the most elaborate ethical polices within the industry. Part of the reason for this is that Wal-Mart has a tendency of issuing new ethical polices after facing a legal crisis or a new challenge. For instance, in the year 2005, the company issued a lengthy policy statement after ousting seven mangers that had been working for the company. The company's policy statement outlined some of the obligations that employees are required to adhere to when dealing with clients. Wal-Mart is very strict about the personal conduct of its staff members within the employee-customer relationship. Employees are required to exercise honesty, respect, and good judgment. The company usually informs its employees that they are not supposed to receive any sort of gifts from their employees, vendors or other vested parties. On top of that, the company is very strict about the issue of conflict of interests. Associates are not expected to have any social relationship with vendors.

Wal-Marts ethical polices also stretch to the accounting practices of the firm. This area is especially sensitive because other firms in the retail sector have spent millions of dollars in lawsuits doe to non-adherence to accounting ethics and practices. The company asserts that accountants who fail to hold utmost accounting practices will be ousted out of their positions with immediate effect.

Similarly, Target also expresses similar sentiments. However, Target is more vigilant about these policies than Wal-Mart. This is because Target Corporation has signed a Supplier compliance Statements created by the National Retail Federation. By doing this, Target is demonstrating a commitment that is not only adheres to these supplier ethical principles in writing but also in actions. Target firmly believes that their suppliers, vendors, and manufacturers should adhere to strict ethical standards.

In line with Wal-Marts assertions, Target also declares that they can terminate a supplier's contract if they do not adhere to any of the following rules. However, Target has demonstrated a commitment to business ethics over and above Wal-Mart by forming an organization to deal with the issue specifically. The company formed the organization so that it could educate all its vendors about the importance of adhering to ethical principles. Unlike WalMart, Target takes ethical principles to another level by sensitizing others and then following it up to endure that they comply. When it comes to environmental matters. Both companies are committed to environmental protection policies. Target Corporation normally disseminates a quarterly newspaper that gives sustainability measures to employees. It also looks for ways to minimize waste recycle products and it avoids products that are harmful to the environment. Wal-Mart environmental policy is also quite comprehensive. The company has asserted that it

will give precedence to environmentally friendly packaging material. On top of that, it has also asserted that it will do its best to eliminate excessive waste into the environment.

Works Cited
Rittenburg, , Rittenburg, Terri . "Ethical implications of target market selection... N.p.. Web. 28 Apr 2013. <http://polaris.umuc.edu/~rouellet/tman613sp99/suppread/Paper23.htm "Comparison of Wal-Mart and Target Policies and Practices." . ArticlesBase. Web. 28 Apr 2013. <http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/comparison-of-walmart-and-targetpolicies-and-practices-1908631.html>.