We're interested in finding out a detailed description of the Wal-Mart
JIT origins, current model/state/problems and possible near term/long 
terms trends/issues as related to this topic.

You might find this question, answered by eifel-ga helpful:
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=66962

Chesslab --

Eiffel-GA's answer on Sam Walton's development of JIT is excellent. 
Here's another first-hand account of how Procter & Gamble developed
the computer-supply links directly to Wal-Mart:

It started in 1987 when the-late Sam Walton said to P&G, "The way we
do things is way too complicated.   You should automatically send me
Pampers, and I should send you a check once a month.  We ought to get
rid of all this negotiation and invoicing."
 
It developed into a continuous replenishment process that had unique
results:
*  it gave P&G access to Wal-Mart inventory for the first time 
*  it eventually gave the supplier access to retail point-of-sale
information
*  just-in-time delivery to stores -- avoiding warehouses 
 
You can find the Ralph Drayer article and other resources in the
Supply
Chain Management Resource Center at the CIO Magazine website:
http://www.cio.com/research/scm/ 

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA