Problem
Write a brief assessment of the Walmart case found attached. Address four questions based on Walmart's business-level strategy:
• How well is Walmart performing? To what extent is its performance attributable to industry attractiveness and to what extent is it attributable to competitive advantage?
• In which of Walmart's principal functions and activities (namely: purchasing, distribution and warehousing, instore operations, marketing, IT, HRM, and organization and management systems/style) do its main competitive advantages lie? Identify the distinctive resources and capabilities in each of these functions and activities.
• To what extent is Walmart's competitive advantage sustainable? Why have other retailers had limited success in imitating Walmart's strategy and duplicating its competitive advantage?
• What challenges does Walmart currently face? What measures does it need to take to sustain its recent performance and defend against competitive (and other) threats?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.