Environmental Factors Paper
MKT 421
University of Phoenix November 24, 2008

Price, promotion, place and product are all factors which can be controlled in an organization. Environmental factors on the other hand affect many things in the world but are uncontrollable. The side of a rock moss grows on to market tastes, political or economic factors are all examples of environmental factors. “Failure to account for these factors can lead to dire consequences” (FAO 1997). Ikea of Sweden markets its products locally and globally with their immense understanding of global marketing. The following paper will discuss the environmental factors and technology impacts on Ikeas marketing decisions. It will also analyze social responsibility and ethics and their importance to Ikeas marketing.
Ikea
Ikea of Sweden markets “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. This is the idea at the heart of everything IKEA does, from product development and purchases to how we sell our products in IKEA stores globally” (Ikea 2008). As the world of international marketing and technology changes, Ikea faces more challenges than ever. With more than 253 Ikea Group stores in 24 countries, the organization is always facing new marketing challenges that are affected by environment. With the economy being in a downturn, Ikea has seized the time for new opportunities for finding more cost-effective ways of running a global organization. This allows for the company to find new ways to provide their consumers with low prices and high quality products that will extend the gap even farther between the organization and their competitors. They offer quality products at sometimes a dramatically reduced rate which for many in this economy is just the right price. With their European style,