[Let’s Read a Book] Kyung-Soo Chun’s 'Business Anthropology of Cultural Differences'

From April 2023 to April 2024, Kyung-Soo Chun, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at SNU, contributed a long-running series titled 'Anthropologist Kyung-Soo Chun’s Journey into the World' to this publication.PhotoHe has now published a new book, 'Business Anthropology of Cultural Differences' (Somyung Publishing).
This book stands out for two main reasons. First, it builds on collaborative research conducted in 1997 under the Korea Research Foundation’s interdisciplinary research support project, as well as on the 'Globalization of Labor' seminar jointly hosted the following year by the Korea University Institute for Research on Labor Issues and the Future Workforce Research Center. The book continuously explores how Korean companies adapt to foreign cultures and examines the challenges faced by foreign workers in Korea.
One notable aspect is the collaboration among researchers from various fields—including business administration, sociology, and anthropology—to analyze Korean companies’ overseas expansion and adaptation. Another is that these academics did not remain within the ivory tower, but instead worked directly with companies in the field, immersing themselves in real-world research.
From the first chapter, which addresses the internationalization of business management and intercultural communication, to detailed reports on China (Chapter 2), Vietnam (Chapters 3–4), Indonesia (Chapter 5), and Mexico (Chapter 6), the book offers in-depth observations and analyses of each country’s situation and unique characteristics. The dedication of the experts and researchers is evident throughout.
Another key insight is that, unlike in the past when Korean companies ventured abroad to earn foreign currency, today foreign workers are coming to Korea, establishing new lives, and becoming our neighbors. The book does not overlook this important change, which highlights its depth and excellence.
Having overseen field research more than 20 years ago and added new issues to compile this book, Professor Chun proposes 'symbiosis' in the final chapter, which serves as the book’s conclusion. He emphasizes, 'Ultimately, the key is not to transplant Korean management practices abroad, but to establish a new management culture that respects the cultural particularities of each society.'
He further argues that the goal of business administration should move beyond 'management' to 'symbiosis.' According to the author, symbiosis presupposes difference and encourages different groups to coexist. Such an attitude is essential to avoid the pitfalls of Colonialism that this kind of research might otherwise fall into.
"I believe the future of business administration lies beyond the framework of management. As long as business administration remains focused on past-oriented management, it cannot create a vision for the future. The future of business administration, in partnership with anthropology, is symbiosis—for people, by people."

jsm64@fnnews.com Jung Soon-min Reporter