IKEA culture reflects Swedish roots coming from Småland in southern Sweden. In Sweden, from picturesque fishing villages to endless forests, nature plays an important role in everyday life. People living here are hard-working, down-to-earth, help each other and live in a close contact with nature around. These aspects are translated into IKEA values which form the basics of IKEA culture.
Typically Swedish
From picturesque fishing villages to endless forests, in Sweden nature plays an important role in everyday life. At the same time, Swedish society is known for being open, innovative, caring and authentic. Yes, things are a little different in Sweden!
Over the years, a unique IKEA culture and set of values have developed from our roots in Sweden. The IKEA Culture and Values shape everything we do. You’ve probably sensed it by now: we have a special way of doing things.
”Maintaining a strong IKEA culture is one of the most crucial
factors behind the continued success of the IKEA Concept”
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Ingvar Kamprad,
IKEA founder
Every individual has something valuable to offer
We're a diverse group of down-to-earth, straightforward people with a passion for home furnishing. We come from all over the world, but we share an inspiring vision: “to create a better everyday life for the many people”. How we realize this vision is based on our shared humanistic values. These values guide our work and build our inclusive, open and honest culture.
Equality Works Better
We believe gender equality is a human right. Our ambition is to reach gender equality at IKEA Group, which goes beyond a 50/50 gender balance in all levels and positions. Gender equality is also about creating an inclusive culture where all genders are valued for their unique contributions.
That is why we have been working with the gender agenda for over a decade. We are proud to be part of the first UN high-level panel on Women Economic Empowerment to help unlock potential for women to fully participate in the economy and achieve financial independence.
IKEA Key values
We believe that every individual has something valuable to offer and we strive to have the same values in the way we work.
Living up to our home furnishing legacy
IKEA has always been driven by the goal “to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering 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,” writes IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad in his Testament of a Furniture Dealer. IKEA wants to enhance your everyday life. At IKEA, we believe that what is good for our customers, is good for us as well.
Togetherness
Togetherness is at the heart of the IKEA culture. We are strong when we trust each other, pull in the same direction and have fun together.
Caring for people and planet
We want to be a force for positive change. We have the possibility to make a significant and lasting impact - today and for the generations to come.
Cost-consciousness
As many people as possible should be able to afford a beautiful and functional home. We constantly challenge ourselves and others to make more from less without
compromising on quality.
Simplicity
A simple, straightforward and down-to-earth way of being is part of our Sm책land heritage. It is about being ourselves and staying close to reality. We are informal, pragmatic and see bureaucracy as our biggest enemy.
Renew and Improve
We are constantly looking for new and better ways forward. Whatever we are doing today, we can do better tomorrow. Finding solutions to almost impossible challenges is part of our success and a source of inspiration to move on to the next challenge.
Different with a meaning
IKEA is not like other companies and we don’t want to be. We like to question existing solutions, think in unconventional ways, experiment and dare to make mistakes - always for a good reason.
Give and take responsibility
We believe in empowering people. Giving and taking responsibility are ways to grow and develop as individuals. Trusting each other, being positive and forward-looking inspire everyone to contribute to development.
Lead by example
We see leadership as an action, not a position. We look for people’s values before competence and experience. People who ‘walk the talk’ and lead by example. It is about being our best self and bringing out the best in each other.
I am an expert in organizational culture and values, with a deep understanding of how they shape and influence the success of companies. My expertise is grounded in extensive research on various corporate cultures, including a comprehensive analysis of IKEA's unique culture and values.
IKEA's culture reflects its Swedish roots, specifically originating from Småland in southern Sweden. This geographical context is crucial to understanding the essence of IKEA's values. Småland is known for picturesque fishing villages, endless forests, and a close connection to nature, which significantly impacts the daily lives of its residents. The people of Småland are characterized as hard-working, down-to-earth, and cooperative, living in harmony with the nature that surrounds them.
These regional characteristics have been translated into the core values of IKEA, forming the basis of its organizational culture. The Swedish society, from which IKEA emerged, is described as open, innovative, caring, and authentic—qualities that have become integral to the IKEA way of doing things.
Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong IKEA culture for the continued success of the IKEA Concept. The values and culture at IKEA are deeply rooted in the belief that every individual has something valuable to offer. This diverse group of people, coming from all corners of the world, shares a vision to "create a better everyday life for the many people."
IKEA's humanistic values guide its work and contribute to an inclusive, open, and honest culture. Gender equality is a significant focus for IKEA, striving for a balance beyond a 50/50 gender distribution in all levels and positions. The company actively participates in initiatives such as the UN high-level panel on Women Economic Empowerment to promote gender equality and unlock the potential for women in the economy.
Key values at IKEA include a commitment to affordability, togetherness, caring for people and the planet, cost-consciousness, simplicity, and a continuous drive for renewal and improvement. The culture emphasizes being different with a meaningful purpose, questioning existing solutions, thinking unconventionally, experimenting, and learning from mistakes.
Togetherness is highlighted as a core aspect of the IKEA culture, where trust, collaboration, and enjoying work together are essential. Additionally, IKEA seeks to be a force for positive change, emphasizing the importance of making a lasting impact on both people and the planet.
Cost-consciousness is another critical value, challenging the company to deliver affordable yet well-designed and functional home furnishing products. Simplicity is rooted in the Småland heritage, advocating for an informal, pragmatic approach and considering bureaucracy as a significant obstacle.
The culture also encourages a mindset of constant improvement and a willingness to take on challenges. IKEA's unique approach involves questioning norms, thinking differently, and daring to make mistakes, always with a meaningful purpose.
Furthermore, IKEA promotes a culture of giving and taking responsibility, empowering individuals to grow and develop. Leadership is seen as an action rather than a position, with a focus on values, positive forward-looking attitudes, and leading by example.
In summary, IKEA's culture and values are deeply rooted in its Swedish origins, shaped by the natural and societal characteristics of Småland. The company's commitment to diversity, gender equality, affordability, togetherness, sustainability, and continuous improvement form the bedrock of its organizational identity.
