This case can be used in an undergraduate or MBA course in supply chain management, operations management, business strategy, international business, logistics, purchasing, or marketing. It can provide an introduction to supply chain management using a company with which most students are familiar. In doing so, it allows students to learn how Walmart has built up its supply chain capabilities over the past five decades, and how the company leveraged these capabilities to become the world's largest retailer. Combining the Walmart case with the "Amazon.com: Supply Chain Management" case (Ivey 9B18D017) in back-to-back classes provides a powerful illustration of the differences between two leading companies and demonstrates the importance of alignment of supply chain competencies with organizational strategy.After completion of this case, students will be able to:Assess Walmart's supply chain and identify its key competitive advantages.Quantify Walmart's ability to generate value from its supply chain.Identify potential opportunities and challenges for Walmart to improve its supply chain.Analyze the effects of the opportunities and challenges facing Walmart on its growth and evolution.

supply chain management; operations; logistics; purchasing

Undergraduate/MBA

Retail Trade
United States
Large