AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPLEX PROCESS OF
CULTURE BUILDING IN AN ORGANIZATION AND ACROSS BORDERS – USING THE EXAMPLE OF IKEA

BACHELOR THESIS
Authors: Emilie Martens (19860203) Tobias Mauelshagen (19810623) Course: IBO 348 – VT 2007

Examiner and Tutor: Richard Nakamura

Växjö universitet Ekonomihögskolan 31st of May 2007

ABSTRACT

i

Abstract
Nowadays, companies face many difficulties due to the much competitive environment they have to evolve in. Therefore, multinational ones, particularly dealing with customers and employees, as well as competitors worldwide, have to take all the tools available into consideration to be able to stay afloat, or, at best, to be successful. Culture can be one of those efficient tools that
1 Purpose of study .......................................................................................................................... 2 Limitations of the Study .............................................................................................................. 3 General facts about IKEA ........................................................................................................... 3

2

Methodology .............................................................................. 5
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Time Schedule............................................................................................................................. 5 Research Journey......................................................................................................................... 6 Place and Access ......................................................................................................................... 6 Scientific Paradigms – Positivistic vs. Hermeneutic ................................................................... 7 Deductive, inductive and abductive approaches.......................................................................... 8 Research Approach: Qualitative vs. Quantitative........................................................................ 8 Data