Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Weigookin74]

Seven reasons why Korea has the worst productivity in the OECD. While we are somewhat shielded from this as English teachers, we have all experienced parts of this and viewed the culture upfront.

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/article/3698/insider-perspective-seven-reasons-why-korea-has-worst-productivity-oecd

Way down below in the comments, this interested me even more than the article.

"



Steve Lee • 2 months ago





Sad but true. Its one of the few examples of how business principles (or social principles in general) need to change with time

By 1954, 60 years ago, a year after the Korean war, South Korea was one of the poorest and most devastated countries in the world, with a GDP lower than that of North Korea at that time. However a robust industry, strong and directorial leadership (both governmental and corporate), combined with foreign investment and infrastructural development allowed South Korea to become the worlds #14 largest GDP in less than 60 years, and world's #1 GDP when it comes to GDP/Land Area ratio.

But that was decades ago. Modern economical focus for both Korea and the world has shifted. Its a time when people need to be more innovative; more connected and less sequestered, creative flexibility over standardized excellence. This article seems to point that out. I am a South Korean myself, but I have decided to pursue my engineering degree here in the US because I just can't see myself in the current system. My dream is to establish a start-up in chemical industry or service technology. Me and my friend have a lot of ideas and innovations we want to work on and hopefully to get venture capital funding, but the fact that the ease of starting a business in South Korea has become so hard has led me here. Korea is dominated by colossal corporations like Samsung that seem to dominate every genre of business and economy. Again, this system of chaebol worked well in the 70s and 80s when the government can subsidize specific companies with specialization that makes them competitive and standout in the global economic market. (Samsung- Electronics, Hyundai- economy cars, LG- electronics, Daewoo- Shipbuilding) These corporations ultimately became leaders of domestic growth. Recently however, competition for new innovators becomes increasingly difficult. Innovation is not as encouraged, and even successful innovative venture firms ones are ultimately acquired by these corporations.

I encourage South Korea to reflect on this issue."

[Weigookin74]

Some other interesting comments, from the article, below:


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Guy Citron • a month ago





Really well put. I would also add that on a brighter note there is a general understanding among the now 20-30 year old generation that the system is flawed. They know it. The problem is that the old guard who maintain their traditional yet ultimately inefficient work style are still holding the reigns."




"Vinsanity • 2 months ago





man i was born and spent more than 20 yrs in korea, and i have to admit that those issues addressed above are true to me... my greencard is coming out next year and i'm out of this crazy country as soon as it happens for good. peace out."

[Weigookin74]

I don't want this to be simply a bash Korea thread. But, it gives an idea about the work culture here. The older folks want sacrifice or the appearance of it. The younger ones want to live more like us.

[Steelrails]

As I've mentioned before, I think at least some part of the workplace inefficiency number are as much related to other factors than just office work.

Think about the large number of family owned businesses that are open for 12-18 hours a day such as convenience stores, restaurants, bars, noraebangs, etc. The very nature of such jobs means that you will work longer. Additionally you have all the greeter and other type of excess people you see in supermarkets and the like. There's a lot of superfluous labor out there that would have been axed long ago back home.

Efficiency isn't everything. Korea could move up in the rankings by firing all of those Emart food samplers and having a 2AM last call and not having as many 24 hour places.

Cheap consumer goods, the magic zone of workplace efficiency and short-term quarterly gains are the backbone of an economy. Not widespread gainful employment and small business ownership.

Besides, as noted, S. Korea is number 1 in terms of GDP/Land Area ratio. Doesn't that suggest a certain level of efficiency and productivity? Maybe Korea should ask the rest of the world why they are so unproductive and inefficient with the land they have?

[Mix1]

[Milwaukiedave]

Mix,

That doesn't surprise me much. You'll learn to not have those types of conversations since it hurts her feelings. Of course it's ok for her to complain about it endlessly.

[northway]

[Lazio]

[Nester Noodlemon]

SR's conjuring another argument to support his nonsense.

What about GDP/Mountain Range ratio? Or, a GDP/Pepper Paste ratio?

[Stan Rogers]

So then why isn't Korea bankrupt? That's another know it all who doesn't know what's really going on.

I see plenty of ways Koreans are raking it in.

[radcon]

So initially I though Korea #1 in GDP to land mass? Come on. What about Hong Kong and Singapore?Ii looked up the stats and Korea is #15.

[Mix1]

[Mix1]

[Weigookin74]

Korea's economic growth from it's origins after the Korean War is impressive. Many other countries flubbed it up and stayed poor. But, it does seem as though a small business here that wants to innovate can't. There are lots of Marts, Coffee Shops, Convenience Stores and the like. But, very few start ups and even less Venture Capital Funds. That part of the economy is lagging and 우리 나라 thinking seems to shield new ways of thinking, even from fellow Koreans, who probably get accused of being too foreign.

There are many things I do like here such as A/S which are far superior to the west. When something does need to actually be done, when they're determined to do it, they get at 'er and get things done quickly. (But often times, they really don't want to change things.)

An older Korean woman I know told me that many companies in Seoul don't want to hire Koreans who were abroad too long studying English because they won't be Korean enough when they go to work for them. Her words, not mine. However, the way kids are being raised now with parental overprotection and teachers having no control over kids anymore does mean the next generation will be very changed and that the old gaurd will eventually have no choice but to deal with them. (There'll simply be too many of them to ignore.)

[Yaya]

Productivity has long been a cause of frustration in Korea. Here, it's the APPEARANCE of working hard that is treasured rather than the work produced itself. I know I didn't get a few contracts renewed because I tend to do things fast but well (if I may so boast) and don't play the deception game. And then you have the outright idiots who can't do a damn thing that are retained or even promoted just because they play office politics or kiss the right ass(es). It seems missing company outings can be more risky than missing deadlines, but hey, this is Korea.