1st Edition

Routledge Handbook of Korean Business and Management

Edited By Chris Rowley, Johngseok Bae, Hicheon Kim, Heechun Kim Copyright 2025
488 Pages 52 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

488 Pages 52 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

488 Pages 52 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This Handbook, authored by a stellar line-up of international contributors, explores the diverse phenomena and issues surrounding the Korean business and management world. Offering insights into trends, challenges, policies and initiatives of corporations and government and providing a nuanced portrayal of Korean business dynamics, the Handbook’s approach is centred around four key themes:... Read more

1. Setting the Scene and Overview

Chris Rowley, Johngseok Bae, Heechun Kim and Hicheon Kim

Part 1: Institutional Context

2. Labor market and Korean workers

Young-bum Park

3. Capital Market and Capital Formation in Korea

Hongbok Lee and Soon Suk Yoon

Part 2: Macro Issues in Big Business Groups

4. The Corporate Governance and Practices of Korean Companies

Kyung Suh Park

5. Korean CEOs from a Governance Perspective: Historical Paradigm Shifts in Group Governance-CEO Models in Chaebols

Dongyoub Shin and Doyoon Kim

6. Business Groups in Korea: Past, Present, and Future   

Hicheon Kim, He Soung Ahn and Juhee Kim

7. Government–business Relations in South Korea, 2000 to 2022: An Institutional Perspective

Joohan Ryoo

8. The Strategy behind the Global Success of Korean Firms: Applying the ABCD Model in Practice

Hwy-Chang Moon and Wenyan Yin

9. Catch-up Strategies of Korea Big IT Corporations

Jae-Yong Choung and hye-Ran Hwang

10. The Rise of Two South Korean Multinationals: How Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Built a Competitive Advantage by Closing the Capabilities Gap 

Heechun Kim

Part 3: Micro Issues in Big Business Groups

11. Putting Korean HRM in the East Asian Context

Sunghoon Kim, Ying Wang, Yoshio Yanadori and Chris Rowley

 12. People Management In Korea: An Organizing Logic Perspective

Johngseok Bae, Youngshin Kim, Ji Seong Ryu and Woonki Hong

13. Employment Relations: Labor Issues and Labor Union

Young-Myon Lee

14. Executive Compensation in Big Corporations: Unique Features in Korean Firms

Ji-Young Ahn

15. Knowledge As a Unifying Factor For An Individual Firm And Macroeconomics In Korea

Xijie Fu and Jacky Hong

Part 4: Emerging Issues in Korea Businesses and Management

16. Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship In Korea

Jon Jungbien Moon

17. The shifting startup ecosystem in Korea: Government’s efforts to revolutionize education and finance

Dohyeon Kim and Woo Jin Lee

18. Managing Gender & Diversity in Korean Businesses

Hyosun Kim, Seung-Yoon Rhee, Sanghyeon Sung, and Hyesun Kang

19. Fourth Industrial Revolution and Employment Issues In Korea

Hyuckseung Yang

Part 5: Challenges and Future Directions

20. The Korean Business System: Evolution and Future Challenges

Anne Cox and Chris Rowley

21. Conclusion: Lessons, Challenges and Implications

Chris Rowley, Johngseok Bae, Heechun Kim and Hicheon Kim

Biography

Chris Rowley is Visiting Fellow, Kellogg College, University of Oxford and Professor Emeritus, Bayes Business School, City University of London, United Kingdom.

Johngseok Bae is Professor of Management at Korea University Business School, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Hicheon Kim is President of Lotte Academy, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Heechun Kim is Associate Professor of Strategy and Global Management at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

 

‘This handbook, edited and authored by leading professors in the field, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Korean economy and business landscape. Covering topics from macro-economic developments, corporate governance, to human resource management and case studies of chaebols (Korean business groups), it provides invaluable insights into the reasons behind the success of Korean companies. In addition, it addresses emerging issues such as corporate social responsibility, start-up eco system, and gender diversity, making it an essential reading for anyone interested in Korean business and management.’

Fabian Jintae Froese, Chair Professor of Human Resource Management and Asian Business, University of Goettingen, Germany & Joint Appointment Professor of International Business, Yonsei University, South Korea.

‘This book is a must-read for anyone keen to understand Korea's swift ascent to global prominence. The editors and authors effectively unpack the roles of government policies, corporate strategies, and management practices in driving Korea's success. They also highlight how grit and ingenuity can propel a country forward, making it an essential resource for scholars, practitioners, and educators alike.’ 

Shad S. Morris, Director, Whitmore Global Business Center, Brigham Young University, USA

‘The authors impart important lessons for international business scholars and managers alike who wish to garner insight into the extraordinary achievements and emerging challenges and opportunities confronting Korean enterprise, and the globally influential economic powerhouse that Korea represents.  There is a great deal to learn from this book.’

Danny Miller, Research Professor and Director of Chair in Organization, Strategy and Governance, HEC Montreal, Canada.

'This comprehensive handbook offers an in-depth exploration of the Korean economy and business practices. Renowned experts from various fields provide essential insights into macroeconomic issues, the operations of large conglomerates known as chaebols, and micro-level business practices such as employee engagement and gender diversity. Whether you are an expert seeking deeper knowledge or a newcomer looking to understand the fundamentals, this handbook serves as a valuable resource for gaining a thorough understanding of Korea's economic landscape and business environment.'

Sea-Jin ChangLim Kim San Chair Professor of Business Administration, National University of Singapore.