South Korea

Matthew, Sol, Diego, Guillermo, Javier

Greetings

Bow symbolizes respect

Business title is important

Exchange business cards

History

2333 BC - First Korean kingdom, Gojoseon

171 BC - Migration from Japan to the Korean Peninsula
1392 AD - Choson Dynasty established
1919 - Korea declared independence
June 25, 1950 - The Korean War began
1980s - Technology
1988 - Olympic games in Seoul

Gift Giving

Offer and receive a gift with both hands.

Wrapped gifts are never opened in the presence of the giver.
Always bring gifts for the hostess: fruit, flowers, wine or liquor.
Gifts for a family that has just moved into a new house are candles and a large box of matches and/or laundry
detergent.
Korean Chuseok holidays, an appropriate gift would be fruit, wine or other food and drink.
New Years, children are given good-luck money.
proper gift brought by Koreans to any family occasion is money.

5 Dimensions

Time orientation - Strict time schedule

Communication style - Express worry; The Yes and No

Formality - Wrong speech levels

Context - High-context culture

Individualism - Koreans identify in-groups; Individualism

Appearance and Dress

Men: Dark colored suits with white shirts and tie

Women: dark colored suits or dresses

No flashy accessories

Decision-Making

Decision-making is a slow process because...

Patience is the key.

the necessity of getting to know their business associates .

it is done collectively.
of consensus decision making.
Avoid getting irritated or frustrated
Remain dignified throughout the process.

Preferences.

Contracts.
Flexibility
Meetings

Meals & dining etiquette

Wait to be seated
Before you eat at a hostesss house you say Jalmukesumneda
Wait for the eldest person to eat first
Eat at the same pace as the elders
Always pour drinks before yours, especially for the elders
Its considered rude to refuse an alcoholic drink offered to you, especially elders
Receive with two hands when being offered from an elder
When pouring drinks for an elder use two hands one on your elbow
Dont waste food
When youre done eating at a hostesss house say masegaemugusyo

Body Language

Keep your distance

Have good posture

Dont point

Attitude towards conflict resolution

A businessperson should show great respect towards Korean society.

When faced with hardship or adversity, South Koreans are absolute masters of
change and rebuild.
If things arent working, they just change them and they have proved adept at doing
this very quickly and very effectively.
Koreans can prove subtle and effective negotiators.
To enhance communication and reduce the possibility of misunderstanding due to
language, you may find it helpful to send written materials:
Brochures
marketing materials
proposals

Gender roles

The older generation, the father is the primary wage earner, while the
mother stays at home.
Incremental changes in Korean attitudes and women are making progress,
women professionals at the highest levels are still rare.
In Korean companies, the majority of working women with top university
degrees, are still relegated to secretarial jobs, accounting or educational
work.
Men hold most upper level positions.
In most Korean companies a man generally receives more respect in the
business world than a woman.

Time structure

South Koreans work the second-longest hours among OECD countries

law changes have dropped the maximum workweek down to 40 hours and adopted a 5-day workweek system
the average workweek in any 2-week period is not to exceed the maximum 40 hours
workers may not be required to work more than 12 hours in any given day
Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to work unless they have written permission from their parents or
guardians
minors are prohibited from working night shifts except with permission from the Labor Ministry

How U.S. Companies adapt to Koreas

business practices

Once you have established contact with a Korean business partner or

client, it is important to nurture that relationship.
Americans should be sensitive to Korea's historical relationship with
Japan, which made a virtual colony of the Korean peninsula.
American may think in individual terms, a Korean frequently thinks in group
terms.
Most U.S companies adapt to korea's business practices by learning the
language and becoming bilingual.

Attitude towards authority

Based on their beliefs of Confucianism.

Social class is very important.

Benefits manager greatly.

Stresses obedience and loyalty.
Hierarchy

Employees expect managers to be paternalistic.

Relates manager to a father.

Works Cited

Ahn, Diana D., "Individualism and Collectivism in a Korean Population" (2011). Scripps Senior eses. Paper 107.
Hynson,Larry M.,Jr. Doing Business with South Korea - Part II: Business Practices and Culture.
East Asian Executive Reports, vol. 13, no. 9, pp 17-19. ProQuest
Keating, Kevin. Passport Korea : Your Pocket Guide to Korean Business, Customs & Etiquette
(3). Petaluma, US: World Trade Press, 2008. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 26 October 2016.
"Loosening Their Ties; Corporate Culture in South Korea." The Economist, 417.8966 (2015): 62.
By Bus in SeoulBy Subway in SeoulCall or Reservation Taxis, SeoulGetting Around SeoulPublic Transport
Discount Cards - City Pass and T-money Cards. "Gift Giving - South-Korea - Korea4expats." Gift Giving South-Korea - Korea4expats. N.p., 1970. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.
"Wacker Opens New VAE Dispersions Plant in South Korea.(Business & Industry)." JCT CoatingsTech, 10.3
(2013): 14.

Video
https://youtu.be/wniGdDEwxXo?t=38s