Ikea Essay

1141 Words5 Pages

Preface
Objective
The objective of this report is to have a closer look at the ways the operations are managed at IKEA with the aim to analyze the current operations strategy of the company and to compare the actual approaches being used with the theoretical alternatives. This will in turn facilitate the evaluation of these approaches in terms of suitability and the provision of advice on better options if applicable.
Main Research Question
(Analyze the operations management process in IKEA comparing the chosen models with the theoretical alternatives and providing advice for improvement if applicable?)
Sub Research Questions
• What are the current operations strategies and approaches followed by IKEA?
• What management models are the most …show more content…

First, the primary information is obtained from published researches and case studies carried out by experienced operations management researches. Second, the commercial information published quarterly by IKEA. Third, visits and conversations with the IKEA Groningen staff where I have been a regular customer for the last few years. Enlightened by the above-mentioned sources, various approaches were used for the analysis of the operations management at IKEA, in order to arrive to conclusions and provide suggestions for improvements whenever applicable. I have used the following approach:
1. Presentation of the information available about IKEA operations management practices.
2. Proposition of the most suitable approach for each stage of the operations and provision of description of concepts and disadvantages.
3. Comparison between theoretical operational models and the actual models that IKEA is currently using.
4. Provision of conclusions derived from the analysis of the theoretical models the actual models that IKEA is currently using.
5. Proposition of recommendations of possible improvements for the operations management process.

1. …show more content…

Ingvar Kamprad believes in “setting a good example”, and there are numerous stories told and retold in the IKEA organizations about how the founder himself lives and practices the values. Kamprad speaks of IKEA as “The family” and, to ensure an ownership structure and long-term independence, the IKEA Group has, since 1982, been owned by a foundation. The mission, written in typical IKEA directness, is “To create a better life for the many people”, and the business idea is, “. . . to offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at such low prices that as many people as possible will be able to afford them – and still have money left”. These are intended is to remain unchanged. The three defining IKEA values: “common sense and simplicity”, “dare to be different”, and “working together” are to support the mission of IKEA (Urde,

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