Would you consider Wal-Mart to be an entrepreneurial organization? Why or why not?

Entrepreneurial organization can be defined as an organization that places innovation and opportunism at its heart in order to produce economic or social value. It is a simple organizational form that typically includes one large operational unit, one or a few individuals in top management. There are some characteristics that show that Wal-Mart is an entrepreneur organization which is described below.

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Integrity

When it comes to integrity, it is important to make your word your bond and always stand by it. Treat others as you would like to be treated, Wal-Marx treated each other as they would like to be treated which is actually the main objective of the organization. More so, the organization is making good deals for example it entered into a joint venture with Cifra, a Mexican retail chain which resulted in the opening of 60 Wal-Mart stores in 1994.

Customer Focus

A company is nothing if it does not have customers. Wal-Mart focuses more on its customers as one of its objective states that they focus on providing the customers what they want, when they want it, all at a value.

Innovation

As competition was increasing at a faster pace, Wal-Mart created the one stop shopping in 1987 where customers would not have to go to another shop to buy some goods but to get everything in one shop. Creating this kind of atmosphere it then shows the level of innovative Wal-Mart has. In most cases unsuccessful people resist change due to the fear of the unknown, but with Wal-Mart it’s not the case because the founder always accepted change and depended on the continuous improvement of effectiveness which led to the success of the organization.

Risk Takers

Wal-Mart proved that it is a risk taker by acquiring the 122 Canadian Woolco stores in 1994. Being a high risk taker means that a group or an individual is an excellent entrepreneur and more so, they are prepared to fail. They think outside the box and always try new things for example Wal-Mart acquired the 326 Wholesale clubs although the Wholesale club sales slowed considerably from the industry which was 27%, but it did not close the branch, which portrays the high level of being a high risk taker.

Results Oriented

The profits that Wal-Mart makes show really that it is an entrepreneur organization. Being an entrepreneur means a firm has to focus on results. Wal-Mart attained its results by developing something that customers want and producing then delivering it at a price that is fair to all parties involved as the organization sold its goods and services at the lowest prices than the competitors.

Vision

Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. The founder of Wal-Mart had a vision which even today stands as a guideline of the organization. Moreover the C.E.O laid out a philosophy of the organization which is their main two objectives which are to provide the customers with what they want, when they want it, all at a value and treating each other as they would like to be treated. The vision they had they clarified it and used it on their daily basis.