Strategic Policy and Social Innovation for a Post-Industrial Korea

<p>Export-oriented industrialization has transformed the Korean economy so profoundly that it has become known as the "Miracle on the Han." Yet, this industrial model has become fragile, as Korea’s chaebols are being challenged by Chinese competitors. Attempts to seek out new engines of economic growth have failed, or remain underdeveloped, while a looming demographic crisis threatens to exacerbate Korea’s problems.</p><p>This book outlines a blueprint for overcoming these challenges, moving beyond the business strategies, government policies, and socio-cultural patterns established under export-oriented industrialization. Written by a stellar line-up of international contributors, its central proposition is that social change is needed to support the strategic and operational transformation of the chaebol and SMEs. Specifically, it stresses the need for an appreciation of the gender, national, and ethnic diversity emerging within the Korean workplace today. If properly leveraged, such diversity has the potential to reduce the groupthink that hampers the creativity and responsiveness of Korean firms today, as well as facilitating greater success in overseas markets. </p><p>Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this book will be useful to students and scholars in Korean Studies, as well as those studying business, economics, and sociology more broadly in East Asia.</p> <p>1. Introduction, <em>Joon Nak Choi</em> 2. Corporate Strategy and the Competitiveness of Korean Electronics Firms versus their Japanese and Chinese Counterparts, <em>Hyungoh Lee and Hyung-Deok Shin</em> 3. Competitive Strategy and Challenges for the Chaebol, <em>Myeong Hyeon Cho, Jonghoon Bae, Jaiho Chung, Sungchoon Kang and Deasoo Kim</em> 4. SME Productivity and Export Promotion Policies in Korea, <em>Inchul Kim and Youngmin Kim</em> 5. Korean SMEs and the Quest for an Innovation Economy, <em>Michelle F. Hsieh</em> 6. College Major and Female Labor Supply, <em>Jihye Kam and Soohyung Lee</em> 7. Brain Drain, Circulation and Linkage: Sequence Analysis of Korean Nationals Graduating from Stanford, <em>Joon Nak Choi and Chuck Eesley</em> 8. A Comparative Analysis of Asian versus Asian-American Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Stanford University Alumni, <em>Yong Suk Lee and Chuck Eesley</em> 9. Bridging and the Success of Korean Firms in China: An Entrepreneurial Understanding, <em>Joon-Shik Park</em></p>