Business Improvement through People : The IKEA Distribution Center Älmhult Case

Abstract: During September 2008 the Swedish company IKEA performed its annual employee survey called VOICE. As part of this survey, IKEA Distribution Center in Älmhult (DCÄ) was assessed with a result of 521 points out of 1000 points. The present work analyzes the impact of Human Resources Management practices included in VOICE on the Organizational Performance. The research was performed based on a Phenomenological design, applying the Case Study Strategy over DCÄ. The Conceptual Framework used as guidance to analyze the case was based on different HRM Performance theories. The conclusions are formulated upon the proceeds from primary data, gathered through semi-structured interviews on DCÄ, and secondary data from VOICE 2008 results and other publications. Communication was established as the cornerstone for improving future VOICE results.