Wal-Mart Debate In-Class Activity1
Tracy Gonzalez-Padron
Assistant Professor, Marketing & International Business
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Primary focus: Whether Wal-Mart has a social responsibility commensurate with its economic
power within communities?
Preparation Readings: The Wal-Mart Effect
Chapter 1, Thorne Ferrell Ferrell, Business & Society
Case 2: Wal-Mart (fourth edition) OR Case 8: Wal-Mart: The Challenge of Managing
Relationships with Stakeholders, Thorne Ferrell Ferrell, Business & Society (third edition)
Fishman (2006) “The Wal-Mart Effect and a Decent Society: Who Knew Shopping Was So
Important?”
Freeman (2006) “The Wal-Mart Effect and Business, Ethics, and Society”
Note to students: For extra insight into the Wal-Mart issues that we will discuss in class, there is
a movie available on Comcast cable ON DEMAND (or you may be able to get from a local
library). The movie is: Wal-Mart: The High Cost Of Low Price (2005)
Process:
There are four topics that will be debated in class. Students will be assigned to a topic (provided
in assignment sheet) and divided into four groups. Each group then divided into two groups: 1)
to lay out the “case against Wal-Mart” and 2) to lay out the “Wal-Mart response.” You will have
forty-five minutes in class to discuss and prepare your argument. Your group must turn in a
written Position Statement. (See explanation of a Position Statement & Rebuttals following)
Each group will have 10 minutes to present both sides – and two minutes for rebuttals.
TOPICS:
1. Labor policy – are low wages the backbone of low prices?
2. Health care policy – do they “free ride” on public hospitals?
3. Relations with suppliers and competitors – do they drive out small local businesses and high
wage suppliers?
4. Environmental policy – how can such a big operation minimize its “environmental footprint?”
1This
activity is a modification to fit in one class period from a Teaching Module titled: Preparing to be the Stakeholder
Relationship Manager: The Case of Wal-Mart, Authors: Scully, Maureen; Roberts, Alex, Source: CasePlace.org , Year: 2007
Questions or challenges should be professional. Insulting, condescending, or
comments involving personal language or attacks are unacceptable.
Critical analysis, synthesis, rhetorical skill, and wit are keys to debate success.
Focus on the opposing side’s position or argument. Knowing the “other side”
is critical for preparing strategies to refute your opponent’s arguments.
Limit your arguments to three or less.
Use logic to make your arguments. Present these arguments clearly and
concisely.
Know the common errors in thinking like logical fallacies and use them
effectively in your refutation.
Present the content accurately. Only use content that is pertinent to your point
of view and draw on support from authoritative sources.
Be certain of the validity of all external evidence presented for your arguments.
Also, challenges to the validity of evidence should be made only on
substantive grounds.
Your rebuttal (or conclusion) in a debate is your final summary position. Use it
as an opportunity to highlight important issues that indicate proof of your
points or refute your opponent’s argument.
Source: http://onlinelearn.edschool.virginia.edu/debate/theninepop.html
Tips for writing a position statement for the Wal-Mart Debate
The purpose of the position statement is to formally inform others of your position on an issue. A
well-written position paper can help frame the discussion, demonstrate a command of the issue,
and strengthen your argument by avoiding emotional terms.
Format:
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Include a heading of the topic, date, and position (critic or defender)
Include names of all group members
No more than two pages typewritten
Structure your position statement – introduction, three main points, conclusion
Research: (from http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr9.htm)
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Develop supporting evidence for both sides
including factual knowledge, statistical evidence, authoritative testimony
Identify the issues and prejudices keeping in mind your audience
List these as appropriate and anticipate counterclaims
Assume familiarity with basic concepts
but define unfamiliar terms/concepts or state meanings that define your point of departure
Refer to those who agree with your position to assist you in developing your argument
Familiarize yourself with those who disagree with you to prepare your
defense. Summarize their argument and evidence, then refute
Tips for a good rebuttal:
The goal of the rebuttal is to expose inconsistencies, false analogies, irrelevant arguments,
errors of logic, and inaccurate causal relationships. To the degree possible, the rebuttal is to
offer plausible alternative arguments. A common problem with refutation is that most fail to
go beyond a restatement of the evidence presented in the initial position. The effective
rebuttal is both offensive (destroying others’ arguments) and defensive (buttressing and
strengthening one's own arguments). Note: Other classmates are never to be personally
attacked. Try to remember that the best way to change someone else's position is to
challenge the idea, not criticize or attack the person to discredit the argument