IKEA: Scandinavian Style

OVERVIEW

In 1943, at age 17, Ingvar Kamprad formed IKEA. Anticipating the rising consumerism amid the rebuilding boom that would follow the war, IKEA moved quickly, providing families with low-cost furniture designs through the convenience of catalogue sales. With the opening of the company's first showroom in 1953.

Kamprad united a variety of suppliers under the IKEA umbrella, coordinating long run production schedules and controlling distribution. That model expanded in 1964 with the introduction of the first warehouse store, eliminating an entire step in product distribution by allowing warehouse container pick-up by customers. Over the decades, IKEA produced a unique global brand famous for innovation. The company's devotion to lifestyle solutions led to the expansion of product lines and the expansion of global markets. By 2010 there were 332 IKEA stores in 41 countries.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are IKEA's organizational design elements?

2. How does IKEA approach innovation?.

3. Describe IKEA's culture.

4. What challenges does IKEA face?