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Business Research Project Part 5 Learning Team D

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Business Research Project Part 5 Learning Team D
Business Research Study of Wal-Mart’s Profitability
Francisco Arzola-Bula, LaToya James, Carla Thompson-Shealy, and Amanda White
QNT/561
December 8, 2014
Professor Luis Mora

Table of Content
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Page 4
Problem Background Page 4
Purpose of the Study Page 4
Research Questions and Hypotheses Page 4
Significance of the Study Page 5
Conclusion Page 5
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Page 6
Wal-Mart Strategy Approach Page 6
Geographic Location Page 6
Alternative Viewpoints Page 7
Conclusion Page 7
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY Page 8
Introduction Page 8
Research Design Page 8
Selection of Subjects Page 8
Instrumentation Page 8
Methodological Assumptions Page 9
Procedures Page 9
Data Collection & Analysis Page 9
Conclusion Page 10
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS Page 11
Introduction Page 11
Interpretation Page 12
Conclusion Page 12
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS Page 13
Introduction Page 13
Findings Page 13
Recommendations/Observations Page 13
Conclusion Page 14
REFERENCES Pages 15-16
APPENDICES Pages 17-20

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Problem Background
When first quarter results came in for Wal-Mart, the new CEO was not too happy and quickly recognized the challenges he would face as he strategized to increase sales. The results showed that profits decreased by 5% and that the future months were not looking good for the organization. Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer and has witnessed its fifth straight quarterly decline in U.S. sales (Finance Post News and Publication, 2013). The organization speaks on low-income American customers still struggling to make ends meet and the effect it can have on sales.
Purpose of the Study
The organization has seen a steady decline in sales at particular locations and wants to determine how the geographic location of the stores correlates with the organization’s profitability. The CEO’s objective for the first quarter of 2015 is to get the organization’s profits back on


References: About.com. (2014). Walmart Locations Near Washington DC. Retrieved from http://dc.about.com/od/shopping/a/Walmart-Locations-Near-Washington-DC.htm Bonanno, A. & Goetz, S. (2012). Walmart and Local Economic Development: A Survey, SAGE Journals, Vol 26 Finance Post News and Publications. (2014) Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) First Quarter Profits Plunge 5%, Issues Weak Outlook Nguyen, D. (2011). Geographic location, ownership and profitability of Washington log trucking companies. Retrieved from http://www.fpti.wsu.edu/research/Documents/WA_log_trucking_paper_McCracken.pdf. PitneyBowes (n.d.) Retail Store Location Planning Wal-Mart (2014) Retrieved from http://news.walmart.com/news-archive/2013/10/15/walmart-announces-118-to-128-billion-fy2015-global-capital-expenditure-plan Wheatley, M. (2013). Data-Driven Location Choices Drive Latest Starbucks Surge. Retrieved from http://data-informed.com/data-driven-location-choices-drive-latest-starbucks-surge/ Yellowpages. (2014). Richmond Walmart. Retrieved from http://www.yellowpages.com/richmond-va/walmart Yellowpages
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