Strategy to deal with External and Reputational Challenges.
Wal-Marts is pursuing two key strategies that will help them overcome external issues affecting the company, including environmental and community-impact issues, among others. These strategies include sustainability efforts and localized charitable giving to help portray it as being a responsible corporate citizen and a good neighbor. Wal-Mart launched its global environmental sustainability initiative in 2004 and since taken action toward several sustainability goals:sell 100 million compact fluorescent bulbs by 2008;reduce packaging by five percent by 2013;buy fish from certified fisheries; sell “more organic and environmentally friendly products” ; and make company facilities and trucks more energy-efficient.The Wal-Mart Foundation in 2006 gave “more than $415 million in cash and in-kind merchandise to 100000 organizations worldwild,” making it the “largest corporate cash contribution in America.” The Foundation “gave most of the money at the local level where can have the greatest impact.”