Internal Communication
ISO 26000 is an international standard that offers voluntary recommendations and guidelines to organizations to help them plan or critically review social responsibility strategies and convert their objectives and principles into realistic actions (ASQ, 2018). Walmart has applied ISO 26000 in the integration of social responsibilities into its practices and values as outlined in the Global Responsibility Report of 2015. Some of the crucial recommendations is to improve employee wages and guarantee job security. Another issue is the denial of Walmart employees to join unions. Walmart has also tried to manage the sustainability index for more than one hundred products. Walmart has worked with several suppliers, industry experts, non-profit organizations, and the government to develop and improve social responsibility.
Walmart is ready to implement the key elements of the ISO 26000 as outlined in the 2015 Global Responsibility Report. The organization is considering allowing employees to join unions and increase employee satisfaction by increasing wages and benefits. Walmart is also committed to prioritize all primary stakeholders such as investors, customers, employees, and suppliers and include them in decision-making process to fulfill its theoretical objectives (Walmart, 2015). Walmart should apply the ISO 26000 as a tool and guide in realizing these objectives. By following the ISO 26000 recommendations, Walmart will be viewed by its internal stakeholders as a socially responsible corporation and its employees will follow the suit.
External communication
Walmart recognizes ISO 26000 as a reference document for guidelines for planning and implementation of social responsibility. Walmart is built on three main principles; community, sustainability, and opportunity. The organization has demonstrated the need to take care of the environment and external stakeholders. Walmart has made a priority to lead in sustainable energy, zero waste, and manufacturing that complies with ISO 26000 (Walmart, 2015). Since Walmart is a global retailer, it needs to comply with various environmental policies. Walmart should start recycling cardboards and plastic containers used in thousands of their products. The organization can also start an electronic recycling programs by offering discounts to the people who choose to recycle their electronic devices. Instead of being viewed as a place to buy cheap items, Walmart should also be known as a corporation which cares for social welfare of the society they operate in.
Walmart can use ISO 26000 as a guide and starting point to ensure compliance with environmental laws. The organization should consider reaching out to organic farmers for their organic items and produce. Such a step shows that Walmart cares for the health of its consumers and the integrity of their food. Walmart also needs to focus on environmental responsibility by observing how its products are being made and what happens once the products have been used. The company can also improve stakeholder relations by meeting the stakeholders at the middle rather than insisting on low prices. Walmart should apply the ISO 26000 as a guide to make decisions which ensure satisfactory social responsibility to all stakeholders and the entire society.
References
ASQ. ”What is ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility?” (2018).
Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/iso-26000
Walmart, Walmart. “Global Responsibility Report.” (2015). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjw5ennAhWOlxQKHWsFDhQQFjAAegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.corporate.walmart.com%2Fc0%2F24%2F2383f0674d27823dcf7083e6fbc6%2F2015-global-responsibility-report.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1pyQe4K4xZDMR30dTmmbsX