...of Korean HRM based on Confucian Values Jong-Tae Choi* College of Business Administration Seoul National University Abstract This study aims to find out the role of the Confucian family value in the process of the transformation of Korean HRM and IR in a hypercompetition period. I analyzed the characteristics and the transformation of Korean companies’ HRM as well as the core value system of Confucian familism. I suggest that a successful transformation of HRM in Korean companies requires an interplay between two factors. First is the genetic factor based on traditional Confucian culture of Korea (i.e., the DNA of Korean HRM), of which its advantages must be respected and preserved. Second factor is an adaptation ability, which modifies its own core competency and routine through an interaction with the environment. Korean HRM stands at a turning point now. The Korean economy is facing a hyper-competition in the global market. To survive, Korean companies have to improve their competitiveness. Also they must solve the problem of seniority-based HRM of Confucian values that hinders their competitiveness. To confront an inevitable transformation of the management system, Korean companies tried to solve the problem by bringing in a rapid growth process of North American HRM practices. But, unanticipated side effect has occurred in this process. As American HRM was uniformly adopted, traditional teamwork, organizational loyalty, and the advantages of traditional Korean companies...
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...THE KOREAN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Cultural, Political, Economic Foundations Chan Sup Chang and Nahn Joo Chang Q Quorum Books Westport, Connecticut London Preface We approached the Korean management system from a cultural context. Although they share a common Oriental culture with other neighboring nations, Koreans maintain a unique culture. This culture, combined with the impact of the geopolitical environment of the Korean peninsula, results in a unique behavioral pattern. Thus, managers and workers in the Korean management system behave differently from their counterparts in other countries. The Koreans have accomplished remarkable economic success since the 1960s, and their management system has played a major role in contributing to this phenomenal economic achievement. Entrepreneurs, top executives, managers, and workers in the management system are all integral parts of the system, and they have performed their assigned jobs effectively. Therefore, to comprehend the unique nature of this Korean management system, we performed an in-depth analysis on its performance. The external environment of the Korean management system is a crucial factor in understanding it. In this kind of environment, the role of government is prominent because without active support from the government, no enterprise can survive and prosper. The government, in return, demands some favors from these enterprises, making this a quid pro quo, a unique feature of the Korean management system. We will...
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...Buddhism and Confucianism have both been adopted by citizens and governments alike. However, it is important to understand that Confucianism is a philosophy while Buddhism is a religion. Both of these have been adopted by nations such as China, Japan, and Korea because of their main schools of thought, and because of their applicability to state problems. Buddhism aims to attain Nirvana, which effectively breaks the cycle of birth and rebirth that brings with it the karma gained from the past life. On the other hand, Confucianism is a philosophy that is more oriented towards having a society that is structured and orderly. Taking these two side by side, the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean governments have used their principles to guide their...
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...The Ethics of Koreans Don Baker In Korean Spirituality, I outlined the tremendous variety of spiritual beliefs and religious practices found among the Korean people today, and showed that over the centuries spirituality on the Korean peninsula has grown ever more complex and diverse. By the beginning of the 21st century, Koreans could choose among a wide variety of options for expressing their spiritual yearnings and pursuing their spiritual goals. They had available to them a broad range of both institutional and informal approaches to addressing their core spiritual concern of transcending the limitations of existence as an independent, autonomous individual, as well as for tackling various unpleasant side effects of such an existence: mortality, sickness, poverty, and loneliness, to mention just some of the obstacles human beings inevitably face as they navigate the turbulent passage from birth to death. Koreans can turn to their folk traditions, to various forms of Buddhism or Christianity, to Confucianism, to new religions, or to other organizations promising them help in their spiritual quest to overcome the frustration, uncertainty, confusion, and even boredom that can result from not having a clear picture of what their role is in this world they live in, why they are here and what will happen to them after they die, or of how they can cope with the multitude of unforeseen intrusions into their personal mental and physical space that are unavoidable as long as they are...
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...NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGR DUBLIN Cross Cultural Management FT-UCD BBSMKT-22 Chen Lihuan 2950 words CT0203124 UCD ID: 14207863 Case 1. Question 1A) Figure 1.0 Hofstede’s Five Cultural Deminsions for Germany, UK, USA and Japan. (Data from Geert-hofstede.com,n.d) Figure 1.0 is a bar chart that presents the full data of all four cultures. (Germany, UK, USA, and Japan) Other than two dimensions (Individualism and uncertainty avoidance) that have been discussed in the case, the rest of the three dimensions will be discussed in following article. Masculinity Masculinity shows whether the society is driven by competition or quality of life (Geert-hofstede.com, n.d). According to figure 1.0, all four cultures are masculine culture. USA scored at the lowest of 62, followed by Germany and UK at the score of 66. The highest score in Masculinity is Japan, at 95. Although Japan has an extremely high score at Masculinity dimension, due to its collectivism, there are not much intense competitions between individuals. Power Distance Power distance is referring to how people within the society react to unequal power distribution. The higher the score is, the higher acceptability for unequal power distribution by the society will...
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...the Dimensions of one’s culture, these categories have been in place for many years in any given country. If we simply consider the Dimensions of Culture in the United States alone, which range from Religion to our Ethical standards, it would be clear that there are many categories within each of those. Therefore, it is important to analyze each category in detail, in an attempt to determine exactly what it will take to do business in that country or any country across the globe. This research paper will attempt to identify those major elements and dimensions of culture in South Korea. Once these elements and dimensions have been identified, it would give a clearer picture on how South Koreans integrate those elements and dimensions into their everyday business. Also, when comparing South Korean and the United States culture and business, there would naturally be implications that should be considered for US businesses that want to do business in South Korea. This research will also address those implications. The Republic of Korea which is better known to most Americans as South Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia. South Korea is an American ally, and home to some 100 military installations. Because of the heavily fortified border with North Korea, the United States is committed to maintaining a heavy military presence in that region. In an effort to...
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...Values, Norms, Traditions, and Narratives of North Korean Culture Even though the cultural values of North Korea are always evolving,I felt that the following values and norms are fundamental to their culture. Harmony in personal relationships is a dominant force in a Korean’s life (Moerch). Facts, logic and conclusions are often not nearly as important as how one is looked upon by others. Friendships are tight-knit and valuable. It is an insult to refuse a friend’s request. It is even less forgivable to fail a superior. These friendships are possible because everyone does his or her best to preserve the harmony of good feelings. The bearer of bad news may smile to soften the blow, or they may avoid giving the news, even if s/he is merely the messenger and in no way responsible for it. It is very hard for Koreans to admit failure and it is devastating to lose face in Korean culture. The directness of Westerners is thoroughly unpalatable to many Koreans (especially older and/or more traditional people), whose self-esteem is often on the line. In Korea, it is very important to maintain “kibun” or the feeling of being in a in a comfortable state of mind. Kibun has no literal translation in English. However, it can be described in terms of pride, face, mood, or state of mind. In order to maintain a Korean’s sense of Kibun, particularly in a business context, one must show the proper respect and avoid causing loss of face. In a culture where social harmony is essential, the ability...
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...influenced by Confucian values. the value of collective group harmony, respect for authority (and therefore management), as well as the embracing importance of family, clan and friendship. the value of collective group harmony, respect for authority (and therefore management), as well as the embracing importance of family, clan and friendship. Confucian Ethics Confucian Ethics Thus, as in countries like Japan and China, the quality of the relationships developed are the real key to business success at both a personal and corporate level. The key to creating good relationships lies in one’s ability to play Confucian game….. “make a friend first and a client second” “make a friend first and a client second” * Honorable * Trustworthy * Respectable person The economic downturn experienced in South Korea during the Asian currency crisis (as well as many other Asian countries) precipitated a period of great introspection which has in many traditional beliefs and approaches being challenged both internally and externally. Thus, South Korea is a business culture at a significant crossroads with a great need to find an accommodation between traditional values and modern management practice. * South Korea Business Structures Korean companies have traditionally been characterized by a high degree of both centralization and vertical hierarchy. Large Chaebols (large business conglomerates)-...
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...understanding South Korea, with all its deep historical and cultural roots. This is the Korea which caused a economic and political miracle when in a relatively short period of time became a wealthy and democratic nation surpassing all its limitations of an "impossible country" Also, South Korea is considered to be an "impossible country" because of the pressure to which its citizens are exposed to accomplish goals that many times are unrealistic to most humans (the author's premises lead to the title of his book). The book begins with a brief history of Korea from its prehistory to the modern era. In the first part of the book, the author approaches the primitive Korean shamanism and the Musok-in (a female Korean shaman) tradition; the deep influence of Buddhism in Korea; and the historical contribution of Confucianism for Asian countries and how this ideology still influences modern Korea. Tudor also talks about the...
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...Foreign Culture, Environment, Labor, and Ethical Differences. We will look at these one at a time. Language Barriers the spoken Language of South Korea is of course Korean so Company A will need a interpreter that is fluent in both Korean and English and have a very good understanding of both cultures to avoid confusion during translation and to avoid offending the two parties. Company A will also have to have all documentation translated and then translated back to ensure that the communication is consistent in both directions. It is also important to understand body language and gestures. A great example of this is when meeting it is proper protocol to bow and shake hands with the person of lower status initiates the bow and says "man-na-suh pan-gop-sumnida" which is similar to saying "pleased to meet you" then the more senior person initiates the hand shake. Information is received prior to the meeting. Another example is when gift giving or presenting your business card after meeting someone you use both hands to present it. Foreign Culture which ties in strongly with the Language Barrier. South Korea is very ritualistic in the way in behaves and that shines through in its culture and business practices. It is important to understand that Koreans have strong family values and traditional roles that each family member is expected to play. For example the Father is...
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...Global Business Cultural Analysis of South Korea John Smith University of Rochester BUS 800 – INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Dr. Peterson March 6, 2015 Abstract Today, the United States conducts a substantial amount of business with South Korea. It is important that American managers, entrepreneurs, and businessmen understand the South Korean social, cultural, and religious dimensions of the nation. The South Korean culture and customs are uniquely different from those of the United States. The culture and customs of the United States are based on European traditions and religious Christian beliefs. The culture and customs of South Korea are based on Confucianism’s way of life, Buddhism’s individual salvation, and since the 1950’s Christianity’s redemption of the soul. American businesses that incorporate South Korean culture into American business practices will develop long lasting business relationships with their South Korean counterparts. American businessmen working in multinational corporations have adjusted well the collectivist culture of South Korea. Multinational enterprises considering cross border business in South Korea can feel safe investing in South Korea. Keywords: South Korea, United States, cultural dimensions, multinational business, Hofstede. Introduction South Korea is one of the United States most important strategic and economic partners in Asia. Members of Congress tend to be interested in South Korea for political purposes. South...
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...Korean Vs Us Management Essay Compare and Contrast US managers with the Managers of the Rebublic of Korea – business Introduction We have chosen to compare and contrast U.S. managers withthe managers of The Republic of Korea (ROK). The ROK is a tinynation of 42,621,000 people residing precariously on the southernhalf of the Korean Peninsula (Cook l995). It has a very highpopulation density with 1.121 persons/ sq. mile. They areethnically homogenous with 99.9% being Korean and .01% Chinese. The age distribution is 30% under 15 years of age and 4.3% overage 65. They have a life expectancy of 73 years of age forfemales and 66 year of age for male. The primary religions are Confucianism, Mahayana Buddhism,Ancestor Worship, Shamanism and Ch’ondagyo which account for 66%of the population with another 28% practicing the Christianreligion. The Han’gul writing system is the official language of Koreawith English being widely taught in many schools. The governmentis made up of the executive and legislative branches. The Headof the State or the Executive President is elected by directpopular vote for a 5 year term. The Legislature is comprised ofa 299-member National Assembly which is elected on a 4 year termby universal adult suffrage. The economy is estimated to produce GDP of US $121,310million with a per capita income of US $4,045/ year. The totalnumber of persons active in the economy was 16,900,000 with a 3%unemployment rate and a literacy rate of over 90% (East 1990). Koreans are...
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...to business professionals about the Republic of Korea, the Korean culture, and the peculiarities of conducting business in this country. The topics discussed include a brief historical background about the nation, its dimensions of culture, how these elements are integrated by Koreans, and a comparison between these characteristics and American culture and business practices. The paper examines the implications for US firms wishing to do business in Korea using Hofstede’s Dimensions of culture, a SWOT analysis, and FDI analysis. Keywords: culture, religion, Confucianism, innovation, export, KORUS FTA Historical Background of Korea The Republic of Korea (ROK) is commonly known as South Korea. For the remainder of this paper, the ROK will be synonymous with "Korea". Korea is located in northeast Asia on the Korean peninsula between the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. It borders the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), also called North Korea (nK), immediately to the north, across the 38th parallel. Korea's total land area is nearly 62,000 miles, slightly larger than Indiana (www.cia.gov). It has an ethnically homogeneous population of over 49 million people, 83% of which live in urban areas (www.cia.gov). According to legend, Korea's birth as a nation was in 2333 BC with its early inhabitants coming from and heavily influenced by China (Kim, 2012). Mark Peterson, associate professor of Korean Studies at Brigham Young University summarizes Korea's early...
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...out casted and the consequence of performing a deviant act could be severe. Societies could either be considered “loose” or “tight” depending on the strength of their social norms and the degree of sanctioning those norms within their culture. [1] In the case of South Korea, it is considered a tight society. Neo-Confucianism is the moral and ethical philosophy that is the foundation for South Korean belief and values. These beliefs and values are so strong they rule every aspect of Korean culture from the individual, to the family, to social interactions. Because of its strictness, all social interactions call for strict protocols that must be followed at all times by every member or the society. Many loose societies (particularly those of the Western world) have criticized Korean society for being so firm and unforgiving, making it difficult for an outsider to adapt to the culture and to society. This has been to seem the case for many Western companies that seek to do business in South Korea. Almost, if not always, a foreigner will violate a social norm that is considered insulting, which will then result in leaving the foreigner shunned and ignored by their Korean counterpart. Despite...
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...Korea and forced them to sign. The treaty then opened ports for Japan to trade and gave Japanese power in the south. The growing Japanese presence in Korea upset the rulers of China. Confrontation between Japan and China eventually broke out war in 1884. Japan emerged victorious and the two aggressors signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which recognized Japanese domination in Korea. Russia had a dream of southward expansion in East Asia, and with Japan’s dominance in the peninsula it was slowly becoming impossible. They then pressured Japan to return the peninsula to China. At the same time, encouraged by Russia, the Korean government began to take an anti-Japanese course. The Japanese thereupon planned the assassination of Queen Min in October of 1895. The Boxer Rebellion in China led to the Russian invasion of Manchuria and to the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. The Korean government at first was neutral, but under...
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