CROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING South Korea

Manager Profile

Sofia Addison

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Sofia joined the company four years ago as a junior

management consultant. She excelled in this role and was quickly promoted to team manager.

In this role, Sofia successfully headed several large consultancy projects for a number of large national companies. Her good work in this role did not go unnoticed and she was promoted to her current role, senior management consultant.

Before joining us, Sofia worked as a junior consultant for Deloitte in London.

Previously this, Sofia studied for her undergraduate degree at the London Business School before studying for her Master’s degree and PhD at the University of Cambridge.

Corporate Culture

Corporate culture is inherently linked to societal norms, South Korea has maintained a distinct and homogenous identity influenced by religious and philosophical beliefs

There are a number of subtleties and nuances in communication and interactions that you must be aware of as an expatriate manager

Corporate Culture Analysis Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

South Korea

Power Distance

High - 60

Femininity and

Masculinity

Low - 39

Individualism v

Collectivism

Low - 18

Uncertainty Avoidance

High - 85

Long-Term Orientation

High - 75

Corporate Culture Analysis Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

South Korea

Corporate Culture Analysis Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

United Kingdom

Power Distance

Low - 35

Femininity and

Masculinity

High - 66

Individualism v

Collectivism

High - 89

Uncertainty Avoidance

Low - 35

Long-Term Orientation

Low - 25

Corporate Culture Analysis Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

South Korea and the UK

Corporate Culture Analysis Hall’s Cultural Dimensions

Context

Low Context V

High Context

High

Polychronic V

Monochronic

Polychronic

South Korea

Context

Low Context V

High Context

Low

Polychronic V

Monochronic

Monochronic

United Kingdom

Corporate Culture Analysis Hall’s and Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

Dimension South Korea Score UK Score

Power Distance High 60 Low 35

Individualism Low 18 High 89

Masculinity Low 39 High 66

Uncertainty Avoidance High 85 Low 35

Long-term Orientation High 75 Low 25

High Context/Low Context High - Low -

Polychronic/Monochronic M-Time - M-Time -

Corporate Culture Analysis Challenges for the Expatriate Manager

The importance of the collective means the expatriate manager must make attempts to bond with colleagues in order to facilitate productive relationships

High power distance means that employees are likely to require explicit instructions from superiors and may avoid working autonomously

Hierarchical status may come from social privilege rather than operational performance or personal achievement – employees of different statuses may be uncomfortable when interacting one another.

Long-term orientation of South Korea means strategies will reflect long term profits and growth, with acceptance that goals will be achieved at a slower rate.

In feminine orientated cultures overt displays of emotions; frustration, anger or distaste is considered unacceptable – the expatriate manager must learn the art of negotiation and compromise.

High context cultures value rectitude, humility and modesty in professional interactions

Corporate Culture Analysis 5 Ways to Succeed as an Expatriate Manager

Be friendly – relationships are important!

Be open– respond to personal questions openly to facilitate strong bonds and relationships

Demonstrate integrity – keep your word and action things you say you will, fast!

Build relationships – personal relationships are key to successful business interactions, take the time to get to know your colleagues and staff and build positive relationships with them

Use these connections – help your staff to develop using your business relationships

Corporate Culture Analysis 5 Ways to Fail as an Expatriate Manager

Disrespect the business card ritual – the exchange of business cards is vital for initiating introductions

Avoid personal questions

Make people ‘lose face’ – the concept of Kibun is important to Koreans and to disrespect this to a Korean is to hurt their pride and challenge their dignity

Make unfavourable comparisons – with Japan or China

Failure to respect hierarchy – South Korea is hierarchical in nature and this feudality must be respected in the context of age, status or rank