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Hi everybody I’m ........ and we as a team are here to talk about Comparative analysis of Amazon and

Walmart

Hi, Im.......

Hi, I’m........

Hi, I’m........

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Introduction:

Amazon and Walmart are two retail giants that have significantly shaped the global marketplace. This

comparison explores various aspects of their organizational cultures and structures, shedding light on their

approaches to workplace formality, staff organization, status/power differentials, important values,

teamwork and collaboration, physical environment, and concludes with an overview of their positions in the

retail industry.

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Workplace Formality:

Workplace formality is a crucial aspect of organizational culture, influencing the way employees interact

and how the company presents itself. Amazon's approach to workplace formality is characterized by its

customer-centric, results-oriented culture. The company's leadership principles, prominently displayed on its

website, include "Customer Obsession" and "Invent and Simplify" (Amazon, 2021). These principles

underscore Amazon's commitment to delivering the best possible experience to its customers. This

customer-centricity permeates the organization and affects the formality of the workplace.
Amazon's corporate offices, especially at its headquarters in Seattle, are known for their relatively informal

atmosphere. Employees often dress casually, and there is a culture of addressing colleagues and even senior

executives by their first names. This practice fosters an open and approachable work environment, where

hierarchy takes a back seat to innovation and customer obsession. Amazon values agility and flexibility,

allowing employees to take calculated risks and experiment with new ideas, reinforcing the informal culture

(Stone, 2013).

At Amazon, the informality extends beyond attire and names; it's about embracing a willingness to

challenge the status quo. The company's culture encourages employees to speak up and share their opinions

openly, regardless of their position. This approach empowers Amazonians to take ownership of their work

and to continually seek ways to improve processes and products.

Walmart, on the other hand, maintains a more formal workplace environment, rooted in its legacy as a

traditional brick-and-mortar retailer. The company's dress code typically leans towards business attire,

reflecting its longstanding commitment to professionalism and consistency in serving customers (Walmart,

2021). This formality aligns with Walmart's role as a pioneer in the retail industry and its dedication to

providing reliable and predictable experiences to shoppers across its thousands of physical stores.

Walmart's corporate culture is marked by a sense of tradition and hierarchy. While the company values

innovation and adaptability, it operates within a more structured and hierarchical framework compared to

Amazon. The formality within Walmart is not just about attire but also about the way the company operates,

with well-defined chains of command and decision-making processes.

In summary, the workplace formality at Amazon and Walmart reflects their distinct organizational cultures

and the industries they operate in. Amazon's informality aligns with its customer-centric, innovation-driven

ethos, fostering an atmosphere of open communication and approachability. In contrast, Walmart's formality

is deeply rooted in its tradition as a brick-and-mortar retail giant, emphasizing professionalism and

consistency in its operations.

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Staff Organization:

Staff organization plays a pivotal role in determining how an organization operates and how decisions are

made. At Amazon, the company's staff organization is characterized by a customer-focused, results-driven

approach. Amazon's leadership principles, which include "Customer Obsession," "Ownership," and "Invent

and Simplify," serve as guiding principles for how the company is organized (Amazon, 2021).

Amazon's organizational structure is designed to empower employees to act in the best interests of

customers. It operates with a relatively decentralized approach, where smaller teams and business units have

significant autonomy. This decentralization is complemented by the "Two-Pizza Team" philosophy, which

means teams are small enough that they can be fed with two pizzas, promoting agility and quick decision-

making. Each team operates independently and is responsible for specific aspects of the business.

This approach to staff organization aligns with Amazon's core value of customer obsession. Employees

throughout the organization are encouraged to take ownership of their work and to think long-term, focusing

on the best interests of Amazon's customers. This decentralized structure has been instrumental in Amazon's

ability to rapidly adapt to changes in the market and continuously experiment with new ideas and services.
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In contrast, Walmart, as a well-established retail giant with a vast physical footprint, has a more traditional

hierarchical staff organization (Walmart, 2021). The company's organizational structure is designed to

efficiently manage a large and complex operation that includes thousands of retail stores and distribution

centers.

Walmart's hierarchical structure is reflected in its clear lines of authority and decision-making responsibility.

Different levels of management exist throughout the organization, with roles and responsibilities well-

defined. While Walmart values innovation and adaptability, its hierarchical structure may lead to longer

decision-making processes due to the need for coordination across various levels of management.

Walmart's staff organization is tailored to support its extensive supply chain and retail operations, ensuring

efficiency and consistency across its numerous locations. However, it may result in a more structured and

traditional work environment compared to Amazon's more flexible and decentralized approach.

In summary, Amazon's staff organization reflects its customer-centric, entrepreneurial culture, with a focus

on decentralization and quick decision-making. Walmart's staff organization, on the other hand, is structured

to efficiently manage its vast physical retail operations, emphasizing hierarchy and coordination.
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Status/Power Differentials:

Status and power differentials within organizations play a significant role in shaping workplace dynamics

and decision-making processes. At Amazon, the company's leadership principles serve as a foundation for

minimizing status and power differentials (Amazon, 2021).

Amazon places a strong emphasis on customer obsession, which guides decision-making and encourages

employees to prioritize the needs of customers above all else. This customer-centric approach transcends

hierarchy, empowering employees at all levels to voice their ideas and concerns. Amazon's leadership

principles also emphasize the value of ownership, where employees are encouraged to act as owners of the

company, taking responsibility for their work and its impact on customers.

Furthermore, Amazon values data-driven decision-making, which helps ensure that decisions are made

based on objective analysis rather than hierarchy. This approach fosters a culture where the best ideas and

solutions rise to the top, regardless of an employee's position in the organization. Amazon's decentralized

organizational structure and open communication channels further contribute to minimizing status and

power differentials.

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In contrast, Walmart, with its more traditional hierarchical structure, may have more significant status and

power differentials among employees (Walmart, 2021). Different levels of management exist, each with

varying degrees of authority and decision-making power. Executives and managers in leadership positions

have considerable influence over the direction of their respective divisions.

Walmart places a strong emphasis on its core value of "Respect for the Individual," which is intended to

guide interactions and relationships within the organization (Walmart, 2021). While this value promotes a

culture of respect and fairness, the hierarchical structure may sometimes result in longer decision-making

processes and the concentration of power at higher levels of management.

In summary, Amazon's approach to minimizing status and power differentials is rooted in its leadership

principles, customer-centricity, and data-driven decision-making. Walmart, with its hierarchical structure,

may have more pronounced status and power differentials among employees, despite its commitment to

respect for individuals.

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Important Values:

The values that guide an organization play a pivotal role in shaping its culture and actions. Amazon's values

are deeply rooted in its leadership principles, which serve as a foundation for its culture (Amazon, 2021).

Amazon's leadership principles include "Customer Obsession," "Ownership," "Long-Term Thinking," and

"Invent and Simplify." "Customer Obsession" underscores Amazon's commitment to delivering the best

possible experience to its customers. "Ownership" encourages employees to take responsibility for their

work and act as if they were owners of the company. "Long-Term Thinking" guides strategic decision-

making, emphasizing the importance of considering the future impact of actions and decisions. "Invent and

Simplify" encourages innovation and the constant pursuit of more efficient solutions.

These principles are not just words on a page; they are ingrained in Amazon's culture and drive the actions

and decisions of its employees. Amazon's commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and long-term

thinking has been a key driver of its success in disrupting traditional retail and expanding into various

industries.

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Walmart's values are centered around its core beliefs, which include "Service to the Customer," "Respect for

the Individual," "Strive for Excellence," and "Act with Integrity" (Walmart, 2021). "Service to the

Customer" reflects Walmart's dedication to serving its customers with quality products and exceptional

service. "Respect for the Individual" emphasizes treating associates and customers with dignity and respect.
"Strive for Excellence" is evident in Walmart's commitment to delivering value and efficiency to its

customers. "Act with Integrity" underscores the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of the business.

Walmart's values have been foundational in establishing the company's reputation for reliability and

consistency in the retail industry. The commitment to respecting individuals and acting with integrity has

been critical in building trust with customers and employees alike.

While both Amazon and Walmart share a commitment to customer service and excellence, their values

manifest differently in their respective cultures. Amazon's principles prioritize innovation and long-term

thinking, while Walmart's values emphasize respect and integrity.

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Team and Collaboration:

Teamwork and collaboration are essential components of organizational success. At Amazon, collaboration

is a fundamental part of the company's culture (Amazon, 2021). The decentralized structure encourages

teams to work collaboratively on projects, and cross-functional teams are common. Amazon places a strong

emphasis on open communication, enabling employees to share ideas and collaborate effectively. This

collaborative culture has been instrumental in Amazon's ability to innovate rapidly and introduce new

products and services.

Walmart also values teamwork and collaboration but may face challenges related to its hierarchical structure

(Walmart, 2021). While collaboration is encouraged within individual teams and departments, the

hierarchical nature of the organization can sometimes result in siloed approaches to innovation. However,

Walmart recognizes the importance of collaboration in driving efficiency and customer service, and it

actively promotes cross-functional collaboration initiatives.

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Physical Environment:

The physical environment in which employees work can significantly impact their well-being and

productivity. Amazon's offices and fulfillment centers are known for their modern and innovative design

(Amazon, 2021). The company invests in creating workspaces that are comfortable and conducive to

collaboration and creativity. In fulfillment centers, automation and technology play a significant role in

enhancing efficiency and employee safety.

Walmart's physical environments vary widely, encompassing a vast network of retail stores, distribution

centers, and corporate offices (Walmart, 2021). Retail stores are designed to provide a convenient and

pleasant shopping experience for customers, with an emphasis on product displays and accessibility.

Corporate offices reflect a more traditional and professional atmosphere, necessary for administrative and

managerial functions. Distribution centers prioritize efficiency and logistics to support Walmart's supply

chain operations.

In conclusion, Amazon and Walmart, as retail giants, exhibit distinct organizational cultures and approaches

in workplace formality, staff organization, status/power differentials, important values, teamwork and

collaboration, and physical environment. Amazon's culture emphasizes customer obsession, innovation, and

decentralization, fostering a flexible and results-oriented work

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Here are the references that we used for our presentation

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Thankyou