Balancing enablers and constraints within organisational routines : A case-study of in-store goods flow at two IKEA stores in Europe

Considering the importance of routine execution within firm replication, exploring the balance between organisational routine development in terms of variations and routine constraints of this variation, with the goal of allowing for improvements without deviating too far from the original routine that makes it a success. Aim: Shed light onto how routine variations are managed in the face of the two extremes; no routine development at all and too much routine development. Methodology: This qualitative case study was conducted within two IKEA stores, the iconic furniture retailer from Älmhult, Sweden. The in-store goods flow process was the platform for the study. The study involved participant observation, as well as 13 (semi-structured) interviews with IKEA co-workers on operational and managerial level to identify mechanism for balancing drift in organisational routines. Findings: This study has developed a conceptual model visualizing a hierarchy of mechanisms composed by artifacts, embededdness and identity that IKEA stores use to curb drift in organisational routines