Ikea's $62 M Pledge for African Relief is Leadership In Deed

When Ikea announced its foundation would send $62 million to help the victims of the Kenyan famine, the world's largest furniture chain reached another milestone. Ikea's pledge is the largest private donation to go to a UN relief agency in the agency's 60-year history.  At a time when national governments and transnational corporations seem impervious to the suffering in that region, Ikea's business leadership speaks volumes through its deeds. Critics have taken on the Swedish company over labor and supplier matters. But if Ikea's commitment to salve the human condition is any indication of its character as a company, the other issues should be easily solved.