Marketing Management
Case Study: IKEA Address Ethical and Social
Responsibility Challenges
A L D I E R M AWA N A B D U S S A L A M
G E RY R E I N H A R D M A N U R U N G
G LO R I A M A G D A L E N A A N G E L LY N B O L LU
HONG SANG SEOB
T U B A G U S H E R M AWA N A M R I L L A H
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About
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IKEA
Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd and
Agunnaryd[1]
Type
Private
Industry
Retail
Founded
lmhult, Sweden (1943)
Founder
Ingvar Kamprad
Headquarters
Leiden, Netherlands
Area served
Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania,
Africa
Key people
Peter Agnefjll (ChairmanandCEO)
Products
Self-assembly furniture
Revenue
29.293 billion (2014)[2]
Total assets
44.667 billion (2014)[2]
Total equity
31.608 billion (2014)[2]
Owner
Stichting INGKA Foundation
Number of
employees
147,000 (2014)[2]
Website
www.ikea.com
Questions
1. Describe how IKEAs values and treatment of
stakeholders contribute to its ethical culture.
2. Ethical issue in IKEA, and relation with complex
organization of IKEA
3. IKEA Reaction to swedish meatball scandal
demonstrate effective crisis management
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IKEAs Value and
Treatment Contribution to
Ethical Culture
IKEA represent a value-based culture, with a mission to create
a better everyday life for the many people.
The company maintains a strong commitment to best business
practices, ethical behavior, and environmental initiatives such as
appraisal & values their employee (VOICE)
Sell eco-friendly products which used renewable and recycled
raw materials
All products must be manufactured in a responsible manner with
as little effect on the environment as possible (IWAY)
Use alternative energy to power its stores (solar cell)
Support numerous cases such as UNICEF and Save the Children,
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IKEA: Ownership Structure
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IKEAs Complex Form
Organization Ethical Issue
With IKEA complex form organization, which is a flat
structure:
Employees will not have many opportunities to receive supervision
and guidance from the manager, make its hard to make sure the
employee work based on ethical standard
Advancement opportunities will be more limited -> fewer
management layers
Run by private company and involved a Dutch nonprofit,
caused critic which said IKEA will be exempt from taxes.
Human Right Issue, IKEA uses Political Prisoner as worker,
Child in India uses child labor,
IKEA violate privacy of employee
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IKEA Social Responsibility
Challenge
IKEAs Reaction to Swedish Meatball scandal
Take the issue very seriously and apologies for the current
situation.
Acknowledge the problem by making a public apology.
Stopped sales of horsemeat-contaminated beef by
pulling/recall the products , and make sure to public that horse
meat not dangerous
Implementing an investigation (DNA testing) to reassure
customers, and dropping the supplier responsible.
Improve supply chain management (ensure the authenticity
of its products)
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