As one of the largest companies in the world, Walmart has a reasonably limited international exposure $-$ only $28$ countries. What do you think Walmart can do to have a broader platform in more of the world's $195$ countries?

Walmart operates via a number of brands around the world $($e$.$g$.,$ Asda in the United Kingdom$).$ Many companies are becoming more and more standardized in their operations and have adopted organizational structures to support such standardization. Can Walmart adopt a more effective global strategy, and if so$,$ what type of organizational structure should the company create to best serve its operations in the global marketplace?

Walmart's International division used to exercise tight centralized control over operations in different countries, but more recently it has decentralized significant decision$-$make responsibilities to each country. Why do you think Walmart has taken this step? What are the benefits? What are the costs?

Walmart Stores Chief Operating Officer Judith McKenna was named president and CEO of the company's international unit effective February $1,2018.$ The role is seen as a stepping stone to the top job at the world's largest retailer, with current CEO Doug McMillion and his predecessor Mike Duke having run the international unit previously. If international is such an important part of the company, what can Walmart do$,$ should do$,$ or must do to leverage its position as the largest retailer in the world?