Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Wal-Mart's Green Intentions
This is an article about Wal-Mart's efforts at going green. It questions Wal-Mart's credibility in this crusade and highlights the tensions between what is good for business and what is good for the planet. Is it a PR stunt? Again, Wal-Mart's high visibility comes into play.
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2 comments:
The link you posted didn't quite make it. Let's see if I can get it in here...
My response is forthcoming.
A publicity stunt? You say that like it's a bad thing. I like to think of it as an important public relations story that shows Wal Mart's caring side.
Do I think it's real? Yes, but only if it turns out to be successful. They say they're going to invest some big money, and I think they will because they think such an investment will yield good money. Right now, they claim that X,Y, and Z environmental improvements will be profitable to the company. They'll try these improvements in hopes that they will see returns; however, if 5 years into this process the investments haven't proven their value, I would expect a "quiet," as the article put it, end to the Green Campaign. If it's not making any more money, they're not going to continue to do it.
My summary: greening will hopefully accomplish 2 goals for Wal Mart. 1) Actually cut costs. 2) Generate goodwill, or at least less ill will, towards the company among the general public. Both of these fulfill the ultimate company's social responsibility: greater profits. Actually saving the environment is just a positive externality.
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