Examination Paper: Semester II IIBM Institute of Business Management IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper MM.100 Strategic Management Section A: Objective Type (30 marks) This section consists of multiple choice questions & Short notes type questions. Answer all the questions. Part one questions carry 1 mark each & Part two questions carry 5 marks each. Part One: Multiple choices: 1. A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal is: a. Tactic b. Strategy c. Financial benefits d. None of the above 2. It is important to develop mission statement for: a. Allocating organizational resources b. Provide useful criteria c. Company creed d. Customer orientation 3. The five …show more content…
In order to give the many people a better everyday life, IKEA asks the customer to work as a partner. The product range is child-friendly and covers the need of the whole family, young and old. So together we can a better everyday life for everyone. In addition to working about around 1,800 different suppliers across the world, IKEA produces many of its own products through sawmills and factories in the IKEA industrial group, Swedwood. Swedwood also has a duty to transfer knowledge to other suppliers, for example by educating them in issues such as efficiency, quality and environmental work. Swedwood has 35 industrial units in 11 countries. Purchasing: IKEA has 42 Trading Service Offices (TSO’s) in 33 countries. Proximity to their suppliers is the key to rational, long term cooperation. That’s why TSO co-workers visit suppliers regularly to monitor production, test new ideas, negotiate prices and carry out quality audits and inspection. Distribution: The route from supplier to customer must be as direct, cost- effective and environmentally friendly as possible. Flat packs are important aspects of this work: eliminating wasted space means we can transport and store goods more efficiently. Since efficient distribution plays a key role in the work of creating the low price, goods routing and logistics are a focus for constant development. The business Idea: The IKEA business idea is to offer a wide range of home furnishings with good
Local partners could help IKEA to understand better the customer’s behaviors in the host market. The psychic distance would be reduced and consequently IKEA could adapt its products, its stores layout following its local partner advices. Traditionally IKEA used to push Swedish design into the new markets without considering the local needs. If they could find a local joint venture understanding well the local needs they could provide more suitable products.
IKEA’s strategy towards its suppliers is that of a low production costs strategy. IKEA wants to sell its products at the lowest possible price therefore their
In order for a supply chain to run as efficiently as possible, considerations must be in place to ensure the logistics function is operating in an appropriate manner. Part of this is ensuring that the distribution centre is located in an area that allows the greatest efficiency, all the while still meeting operational and strategic needs (Van Thai & Grewal, 2005, p. 4)
IKEA has adapted to the operations function of a business. This function is the main function of every company. This key function, of which IKEA has adapted to, is the business function responsible for managing the process of creation of goods and services. The operations function is responsible for organising, coordinating, planning, and controlling the resources that are required in the production of goods and services. IKEA has effectively implemented this function by understanding the needs of customers. In particular, this applies to those who have a lower income, and/or, limited space. IKEA’s employees within the product design and product development departments, focus directly on the price and quality, as well as the design and function of products. Elements of the design are typically agreed on within the factory itself, this is where manufacturers and designers work together, to create a product with regard to the greatest use of raw materials and manufacturing opportunities. IKEA’s operations have proved effective as in 2013 it earned $35.5 billion. IKEA has a large amount of suppliers, greater than 1300. IKEA purchases most of their
Ikea developed an interesting product strategy and product range. The company had a good idea to setup a council to effectively manage and oversee products the company carried. The company’s focus to study consumer spending with the competition, gave them insight on how to construct a better
At the outset, it may be useful to characterise IKEA in terms of the characteristics of demand (also known as the four Vs, see Slack et al. p 20). First, IKEA is clearly a high volume operation – as indeed most international retailers are – which lends to systematising operations but which implies capital intensive processes and therefore cost considerations will be crucial. Second, IKEA offers a large number of products (up to 14000 depending on the country/store) so there is high variety in the
IKEA is an international company which designs house products and sells them in the form of ready to assemble furniture. It is one of the world’s largest furniture companies. It is founded by17 years old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. The most important fact about the company is the attention to control the cost of the products, which allows them to lower the prices. Even today they are continuing to expand in the world by looking forward to new product developments. The number of stores of IKEA in the United States is 14 at the moment and they aim to have 50 stores by 2013.
IKEA is the largest furniture chain in the world, and in 2011 the Swedish company operated over 270 stores in 25 countries. In 2011 IKEA sales soared to over $35 billion, or over 20% of the global furniture market. Most of its stuffs believed IKEA will massive growth throughout the world in the coming decade because IKEA could provide what customer wanted: good design, and good made contemporary furniture with an affordable price. In one word, IKEA’s global approach focuses on simplicity, attention to detail, cost consciousness, and responsiveness in every aspect of its operations and behavior. (Jones, 2013)
IKEA has achieved success by offering customer value for functional designer products. The cost conscience attitude has worked in favor for IKEA amongst its target market.
IKEAs brand image is built on their long term strategic focus to produce products from sustainable materials in an aim to care for the environment and earth’s natural resources. This aligns with IKEAs vales to promote social, environmental and economic development. IKEAs concept of customers shopping for mass produced, standardised products in a ‘self-service’ environment allows for cost efficiency
1. Design- IKEA designers work in exactly the opposite way from their competitors. They design their products in such a way so that they can keep the prices low. IKEA designers design every product starting with a functional need and then decide on price. With the help of their vast knowledge in innovation and low-cost manufacturing processes through a large network of suppliers, they design the final product which can fulfill consumer’s functional needs. Large volumes are purchased to push prices down even further by distributing the R&D cost. Most IKEA products are designed in such a way so that they can transport in flat packs and assembled at the customer's
Even IKEA is a brand-known business but they try to attract more consumers with unique product features that make them able to compete and longer in market. IKEA runs their business with creativity to ensure the services and products always can satisfy
Our business idea is "To offer a wide range of well designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them." Our market positioning statement is "Your partner in better living. We do our part, you do yours. Together we save money."” (IKEA, 2007)
A different approach about Ikea’s success is given by Sara Kristofferson in her book Designed by Ikea, London 2014. In the first chapter, Kristofferson refers to the relationship between the swedish goverment and Ikea.
IKEA’s vision is to design a better life at home. Making it affordable as possible so that many people could have admirable furnishing. IKEA use function, quality, design and value to obtain their customer needs. IKEA learn to synchronise the contingency of the supplier and needs of the customers. Using that strategy to sustain the low prices. In order to gain a good condition of a product, IKEA go in for highly automated production. Together with mass producing and keeping long-term relationship with the supplier, IKEA is able to prolong their vision and aim to serve their customers. (Ikea.com/sg)