Ikea culture

Résumé du document

Power Distance Index (PDI) focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country's society. In Sweden, the low Power Distance ranking indicates that in this society, there is no difference between citizen's power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed. Individualism (IDV) focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective achievement and interpersonal relationships. In Sweden, the High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are very integrated in the society. Individuals in these societies may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. Masculinity (MAS) focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model, control, and power. In Sweden the Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society.

Extraits

[...] How is the firm culture constructed in general? The firm culture combines different cultural materials, each one having its own characteristics. The diagram below presents the different sources contributing in the appearance and on the evolution of the firm culture. Sources The sources of the IKEA firm culture Scandinavian culture is the original culture of IKEA, which has been created while Sweden was becoming a welfare state, where the Haves and the Have-nots had the same social recognition. The founder's personality is a major myth that is to say that IKEA's culture is built around the philosophy of its founder: Ingvar Kamprad. [...]

[...] Well, this is the same for the corporate culture. So as it has been said for China, Ikea decided not to adapt its cultural model to the host country's one. Even if the Saudi Arabian's model is the opposite, they work the same as if they were in Sweden, as a family, with low power distance and feminine values such as communication and collectivism. Nevertheless, adaptation could have possible impacts on the corporate culture and changes could influx on new ideals, values and procedures into the Ikea system. [...]

[...] Sweden is closer from the world average with a score of 67. Masculinity = 52 Between feminity and masculinity This average score shows that the Arabian values are shared between masculine one and feminine one. That can be surprising considering the women rights in Saudi Arabia, but it indicates that the women treatment in Arab countries is due to religion and not to culture. With the very low masculinity of Sweden, Arabians will have to forget their masculine values such as power, competition and so one if they want to obtain good results with a Sweden company. [...]

[...] Long term vs. Short term orientation = 118 Long term orientation Chinese people give an importance to the respect of hierarchy and the sense of shame. They don't want to disappoint their bosses. That's why persistence and perseverance in work could characterize well their way of working. The Swedish model is totally opposed to the Chinese model in the sense that Sweden is a short term orientation country where people have this sense of security and stability. They need to protect their reputation; they respect traditions and when they are given gifts, they need to give something back IKEA in Beijing: how IKEA adapts its firm culture to China Now that we have analyzed the Chinese management way and that we have compared it to the Swedish style, we can apply this general analysis to the case of IKEA. [...]

[...] INTRODUCTION 2 The Swedish culture 2 The IKEA concept 4 II. IKEA's concept in Sweden: the “IKEA SPIRIT” 4 How is the firm culture constructed in general? 4 The sources of the IKEA firm culture 5 The characteristics of IKEA firm culture 5 a. A good atmosphere 5 b. Respect of values 5 c. Dynamism 6 d. Management based on the human being 6 e. Spirit of economy 6 III. IKEA's adaptation to the different countries' culture 6 IKEA in China 6 a. [...]