Reference no: EM132897731

Mr Kwon has a reputation as a trailblazer in corporate Korea in terms of his efforts to change the authoritarian corporate culture. Although LG Philips LCD is a joint venture between LG and Philips, its culture, like that of many other Korean companies, was based on strict hierarchical structures influenced by Confucian traditions. Mr Kwon has overhauled the company with his mantra of 'horizontal communication'. After a career of rising through the ranks, he became acutely aware of the importance of internet communication. He is convinced that Korean companies will become more competitive if they break down the authoritarian culture, where bosses are to be obeyed and never questioned, to a more creative one. 'The era for authoritarian management is gone. When I make a proposal, I want my staff to say no when they think it does not make sense. 'His bid to encourage greater openness has even stretched to the furniture - the V-shaped meeting room table has been replaced by a U-shaped one. And the walls of his executives' rooms have been replaced by glass. *

Examine the national and corporate cultural influences that would seem to be involved in this case study.