Samsung
Corporate Philosophy
2008
SAMSUNG Human Resources Development Center
Table of Contents
Stage 1. History and Corporate Culture
of Samsung
Stage 2. Foundation Philosophy
Stage 3. Management Philosophy
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Stage 1.
History & Corporate Culture
of Samsung
The History and Culture
Corporate Culture & Philosophy
Corporate Culture
The value and behavioral patterns
shared by corporate members
Corporate Philosophy
A core element forming
the corporate culture
Management philosophy:
Published values and credo that a company shares and seek for
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Samsung Management Philosophy
McKinsey 7s Model
The Organizational Culture and Shared Value
The management infrastructure
Structure
Strategy
System
Shared
Value
Skills
Style
Staff
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Philosophy Shows the Direction
“Corporate philosophy is a key
principle by which an organization
operates both in prosperity and
in difficulties, like the North Star
that shows people the direction”
- Orit Gadiesh (Bain & Company)
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Meaning of “Samsung”
“Be Great and Powerful for Good.”
삼
It signifies “large,” “many” and “strong”.
(Sam)
삼
It signifies “bright,” “high” and
“shining brightly for good”.
(Sung)
Source: The Biography of Ho-Am
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Chairman of Samsung
15 years
50 years (1938-1988)
(1988- present)
The Second
Foundation
In 1988
Foundation
In 1938
Founder
The Late Chairman
Byung-chull Lee
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Present
2004
Achiever
Chairman Kun-hee Lee
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Samsung – Its History of 65 Years
History of Challenges and Exploration
1950s: Advancing into the manufacturing and financial biz.
1960s: Advancing into the electronics and
business diversification
1970s: Advancing into the heavy chemical industry and
Systematization of electronics companies
1980s: Advancing into high value-added and capitalintensive industry
1990s: Declaration of the New Management
and joining the ranks of first-class companies
2000s: Global competitiveness, First-class Status
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Corporate Philosophy of Samsung
Foundation Philosophy
The Management Philosophy of Founder’s Era (’38~92’)
It was formally established in 1973
Management Philosophy
This was announced in 1993 of
the 5th year of the Second Foundation
As a form of inheritance and development of
foundation philosophy
Current Management Philosophy
Management Philosophy
We will devote our human resources
and technology to create superior
products and services thereby
contributing to a better global society
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Corporate Culture of Samsung
Culture of Challenge and Innovation,
by Healthy Awareness of Crisis
Decentralized With All Members Sharing Rights
and Responsibilities
Respect for Rationality and Actions
Transparent Organizational Culture
(Free From Wrongful Acts)
Strong Capacity for Organization & Teamwork
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Stage 2.
Foundation Philosophy
Great Business Leader in 20C
Byung-chull Lee (penname Ho-Am)
(1910~1987)
“ A dignified great mentor”
- Sejima, special advisor to Itotsu Shoji -
“A man with a magic power attracting others”
- Jack Welch, former GE chairman -
“A giant who I met in a small eastern country
in Asia”
- Catherine Graham, honorary chairman of The Washington Post
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Foundation Philosophy (1973)
Economic Contribution
to the Nation
Top Priority to Human
Resources
Pursuit of Rationality
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Samsung Management Philosophy
◈ Economic Contribution
to the Nation
Samsung Has A History
of making challenge and exploration
in search of a business demanded
by the era and the nation.
The Way of “Economic Contribution to the Nation”
Making a company grow through strong management and
generation of profit
Provision of best products and services
Paying taxes to the nation, wages to employees
and dividends to shareholders
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Samsung Management Philosophy
A Company Must Serve Its Nation
“What I learned throughout my career as an enterpriser
was that the basis of a company is the nation and thus
a company must contribute to development of the nation.
So I have advocated “Economic contribution to the nation”
over the past 40 years.
The highest mission of a company is to serve
its nation, its people & humanity.
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Samsung Management Philosophy
◈ Top Priority to Human Resources
A Company is Its People
“It is undeniable that the future of a company, or
a nation for that matter, relies on human resources.
This has always been the guiding principle of Samsung.
As long as Samsung places the utmost emphasis on
developing our employees, it will be able to look
forward to a bright and stable future.
The men and women trained and developed in Samsung
will lead the nation and the world in bringing
happiness and prosperity to humanity.”
April, 1982
Byung-chull Lee
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Samsung Founder’s HR Philosophy
Three Major Principles Based on ‘Top Priority to Human Resources’
Merit System
• Employees are always to be
treated on the basis of
capability and performance
• Recruit & utilize talented
& gifted individuals
• No factionalism
• In 1957, Samsung became
the first company in Korea
to recruit employees
through open competition
Right Person
In the Right Place
• Provide sufficient support
to those selected so that
they can successfully
carry out their duties.
Reward &
Punishment
• The company should reward
those who excel and to punish
those who break the rules
• Strict discipline of those
engaged in an immoral or
• Delegate authority according wrongful act
to ability of individual
• Rigorous standards in
Discipline
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Samsung Management Philosophy
◈ Pursuit of Rationality
Always Pursue Reasonable Means to Achieve Corporate Goals
Basing all decisions on what is efficient and practical results in
sound business operation. This is the means by which Samsung
obtains a well-earned profit and pursues constant development
In Operating a Business,
1.
2.
3.
4.
Keep abreast of what is happening both at home and abroad.
Do not be greedy.
Avoid speculation.
Build up insight, and prepare alternatives
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Stage 3.
Management Philosophy
Declaration of the Second
Foundation (1988)
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Structure of Samsung CI
Visual
Identity
Faces
(VI)
• Word mark
※ SI(Sound Identity)
CI
Mind
Identity
Mind
(MI)
• Management Philosophy
Corporate
Identity
Behavior
(BI)
Behavioral
Identity
• Samsung’s Spirit
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Management Philosophy
and Samsung’s Spirit
Management Philosophy
We will devote our human resources
and technology to create superior products
and services thereby contributing
to a better global society
Samsung’s Spirit
To Actively Participate With Our Customers
To Recognize and Confront the Global Challenge
To Create a Better Future for All
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Structure of Management Philosophy
Contributing to a Better
Global Society
Corporate Purpose
(Outcome)
Superior Products and Services
Corporate Goal
(Output)
Essential Elements
of Management
(Input)
Human Resources
Technology
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Samsung Management Philosophy
Explanation of
Management Philosophy
“Applying human resources and technology”
Samsung considers concentrated investment in human resources
and Technology to be essential for success
The proper mix of human resources and technology for each
business area will result in the greatest synergy
“ Creating the best quality products and services”
Creating products and services that give customers complete satisfaction
Samsung must position itself as one of the world’s best
for those industries in which it is involved
“Contributing to a better global society”
Samsung contributes to a better quality of life and to society in general
As a member of society, the corporation has an obligation to work
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for the good of all
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Samsung Management Philosophy