Title: Exploring the dynamics of global sourcing development over time – the case of IKEA

Authors: Jens Hultman, Susanne Hertz

Addresses: School of Economics and Management, Lund University, Tycho Brahes vag 1, P.O. Box 7080, SE-220 07 Lund, Sweden. ' Jonkoping International Business School, Jonkoping University, Gjuterigatan 5, P.O. Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jonkoping, Sweden

Abstract: This research aims at contributing to the literature on global sourcing and particularly to the literature on global sourcing development over time. Using case study materials on the home furnishing retailer IKEA, this research constitutes a picture of the sourcing landscape of IKEA from the 1950s onward. The case of IKEA|s global sourcing development over time is discussed over three dimensions: sourcing market development (where?), sourcing scope development (what?), and sourcing mode development (how?). The results of the study imply that modelling the linkages between the dimensions and the overarching operational principles of the firm provides a more comprehensive view on how, and why, global sourcing development evolves over time.

Keywords: global sourcing; retail supply management; IKEA; time; developmental evolution; home furnishings; furniture; retailers; retailing; retail trade; market development; scope development; mode development; operational principles; dimensional linkages; Sweden; globalisation; integrated supply chains; SCM; supply chain management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2011.040711

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2011 Vol.6 No.2, pp.109 - 126

Published online: 17 Jun 2011 *

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