The world is changing and the IKEA business is changing with it. For IKEA though, one thing will always remain the same ─ our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

We will strengthen and develop competences in order to meet the needs and dreams of the many people around the world and to be accessible, wherever and whenever they wish to meet IKEA.

About Inter IKEA Systems and Core Business Franchise
Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the franchisor and the owner of the IKEA Concept, including the IKEA trademarks.

In Core Business Franchise we are responsible for the IKEA strategic framework and keeping it together through an IKEA Concept which is updated, relevant, implemented and followed-up together with all IKEA trademark users.

We enable IKEA people in the value chain by developing new ways of working supported by processes, methods, tools and services, and we also develop the business by leading:

• The development of solutions that will ensure a unique and successful meeting with existing and new IKEA customers.
• When and how IKEA expands, enabling one common way of working with high impact at a low cost.

We offer an open working environment where everyone feels comfortable to experiment, try new ways and dare to ask: “What if…?” And we offer possibilities for you to develop yourself and your career globally. Read more about us at franchisor.IKEA.com

We are now looking for you, two students, who will do your master's thesis with us at Inter IKEA Systems Service AB from January to June 2021.

In IKEA we work with the vision of Creating Better Everyday Life for the Many People. While we come from a long history of disruptive innovations, our vision leads us to continuously keep an eye on the world around us and quickly adapt to fulfil dreams of our customers. Following the trend of increasing urbanization, IKEA has come a long way from the concept of standard stores in outskirts of a city to a more accessible supply chain network into city centers. Global trends also indicate that the number of car ownership in cities is on a decline, and nevertheless the environmental concerns are adding stricter regulations to control the traffic in city centers. So how can a customer in a city center get his/her IKEA orders delivered in an affordable, convenient, and sustainable way!

With an increased IKEA presence in city centers, we see a need to add more transportation services to our offer. We need transportation services that are convenient and cost-effective, and offer our customers the flexibility and independence they wish for. There is a need to find customer-friendly and sustainable solutions that is also lowest priced on the market – meaning lowest price for product and service combined.

The aim of the Thesis
With evolution in technology, IKEA recognizes the need to explore potential solutions to adapt and/or integrate with its supply chain to offer our customers the services they need. The solutions must be lowest cost in the market.

With a focus on city centers, we would like to explore:

• What is already available in large cities in North Americas, Europe, and Asia.
• What innovations are being worked on to address transportation needs of today and tomorrow.

The exploration should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• New business model(s) enabling technological developments
• New technological developments enabling innovative business models
• New legal, environmental, and social limitations or opportunities
• New physical transportation vehicles without combustion engine
• Platforms (P2P, C2C, B2C, B2B) supporting the network for transportation to create and utilize the urban transportation possibilities

Project goals are:

• Mapping of solutions available in targeted cities (capabilities, technologies, business model, pros and cons)
• Mapping of potential solutions currently under innovation (capabilities and technologies)
• Recommendation on solution(s) to test (including business case)
• Plan for the test, including:
  • Recommendation on supplier
  • Recommendation on location (lab or any market)
  • Timeline & resource plan
• Execute the test (subject to availability of time)

At IKEA we value and strive to work with people who are curious, self-motivated and who want to contribute to the IKEA vision.

The thesis requires competences for research in the areas of innovation connected to transportation services. Since the research is required to converge into concrete, applicable proposal(s) that fit the needs of our customers, it is also required that the students have business acumen and customer focus. The students from the areas of research & innovation, information technology, industrial engineering and logistics & supply chain management are encouraged to apply.

In order to do you thesis at IKEA you must be enrolled in a master's thesis course provided at university level/Thesis agreement with a university in Sweden.

We offer you 20 weeks of thesis work in the area of Development & Innovation at Inter IKEA Systems Service AB. We offer flexibility in location within Sweden and expect most of the work to take place virtually. During your thesis you will have a dedicated supervisor. The thesis work is unpaid and you are expected to study full-time.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Samina Jamil, [email protected]. We are looking forward to your application! If you have someone you would like to team up with, please add that person's name in your motivational letter. Please submit both your CV and motivational letter in English by 14 December, 2020. Note that we will continuously review and interview candidates and the master's thesis position may be filled before 14 December 2020.