Global crises such as the climate emergency, health pandemics, wars, and inflation are affecting people across the world. At IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, we believe that businesses have a responsibility to address these challenges. By working together, corporations and social enterprises can find better ways to increase their positive impact.
We invite you to explore our Social Lab methodology and toolkit — designed in collaboration with Namahn — which serves as a guide to build a deeper, mutual understanding of the challenge you wish to address and create opportunities for change together.
A fit-for-purpose approach
The Social Lab methodology and toolkit use a systemic design approach.
With the rise of wealth inequality, climate change, emerging technologies and globalised economies, the challenges we’re facing are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected.
Systemic design is a way of thinking and acting that considers how everything is connected. This enables us to develop sustainable, resilient, and effective interventions while avoiding potential unintended consequences.
THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS APPLY
© Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2019 All material, including photos and videos on this site is allowed to use for non-commercial purpose only.
Combining understanding and action
Systemic design combines two approaches, merging theoretical principles of systems thinking with practical models of design thinking.
Systems thinking is about analysing how the different parts of a system connect and interact with each other. Design thinking is about placing humans at the centre while developing solutions in an iterative way.
By combining design and systems thinking, systemic design focuses on understanding the system and co-designing interventions with those who can enable change.
When to use systemic design instead of other design approaches
Systemic design can be used in various contexts, but it’s particularly well-suited for addressing complex, multi-dimensional challenges that can’t be solved through a single, isolated solution.
If you have a challenge involving multiple factors (like economic, ecological, psychological, political, or technical), stakeholders, and interests and perspectives, then using a systemic design approach might be helpful.