Key values

Age and Status Gender equality

in business Confucianism differentiated
hierarchy affecting all relational superiority and inferiority
aspects of social interactions based on genders and ages

Building relationships Geopolitical sensitivities

Korea and Japan dispute the
essential part of doing
territorial sovereignty of several
business in Korea.
islands in the sea

First contact Maintaining face

meetings should be + central to the way business
scheduled a few weeks and social relationships work
in advance + nonverbal communication in
South Korea
Business norms

Business card Gift giving

+ essential part of initial meetings importance of a relationship
+ quickly determine their can be expressed through
counterpart’s all-important gift giving
position, title and rank

Customs
Coutesy in table Dress codes
+ Men should wear dark-
+ Korean builds relationships
coloured business suits with
in bars and restaurants
ties and white shirts
+ Some aspects of dinner
etiquette to note + Women should also dress
conservatively and in
subdued colours
 Attitude toward time
+ Punctuality is essential as arriving on time is a sign
of respect
+ Cancellations are normal

Greetings and titles

+ Bowing
+ Small talk

Before you move on to business topics

or negotiations, South Korean greeting
customs indicate to start with small talk.

Topics: business, family, South Korea

culture, economic success,…
Organizational Structure
of the company 01 General Information

02 Family-centered business model

03 Structure of Centralism

04 Seniority in Personnel Policy

05 Authority and Harmony

BEFORE
01
Translated into Korean

02
Exchanging a business card
with both hands

03 Reading the received business

cards for a moment or two
BEFORE
Try to meet them through a
04
third party beforehand

Research who it is that you

05
will be negotiating

06
Begin with the host country
offering coffee or another
drink to establish rapport.
 BUSINESS NEGOTIATION

Be afraid of getting the Maintain your composure

silence treatment and to keep cool.

Wear sunglasses or smoke “Saving Face” is the

in their presence. manner by which you react
Business
relationships
Contracts

nonverbal
communication
 Established respect and trust
from team members will intend
to work hard in order to make
each other successful,
work in this collectivism culture
 Four basic leadership styles:

01 03
Directive Paticipative
\

02 04
Supportive Achievement-oriented
\
beliefs that describe harmony
show respect, formality, and loyalty mellow atmosphere
response in a positive way
In the organization context

the form of centralization and formalization

organizational members value seniority

highly, take orders from their superiors
blindly

rarely challenge their leaders