Korean Chaebols Research Articles

Financialization or capitalization? Debating capitalist power in South Korea in the context of neoliberal globalization

The article reviews debates concerning financialization in South Korea, with a focus on ongoing arguments between liberal, post-Keynesian, institutionalist and Marxist economists. It argues that post-Keynesian and institutionalist perspectives in particular neglect important class processes through which the financial circuit operates within the Korean economy, especially the power of Korea’s large, family-led conglomerates, or chaebol. In order to build upon Marxist approaches to Korean finance, we argue that Nitzen and Bichler’s approach to the ‘capitalization’ of capitalist class power provides a useful heuristic for understanding the differential power of Korean chaebol and their integration into global capital.

When heirs become major shareholders: Evidence on pyramiding financed by related-party sales

This study investigates how related-party sales are used as a means to financially support the firms in which heirs become major shareholders and allow them to strengthen control over other firms in the group through pyramiding. From a universe of Korean chaebol firms during 2000–2011, we identify a subset of firms where heirs become major shareholders (treatment group) and compare them against their propensity-score-matched firms (control group) before and after the ownership change. A series of difference-in-differences tests with firm fixed effects reveal that treatment group firms experience greater related-party sales, benefit from them in terms of earnings, and gain importance in controlling other firms in the group. However, we do not find these results when non-heirs (e.g., controlling shareholders and other relatives) become major shareholders.

Advantages And Shortcomings Of Korean Chaebols

The prevalent form of business organizations in Korea is a chaebol. The chaebol is a diversified conglomerate. This paper addresses the following issues concerning Korean chaebols: 1) reasons for diversification, 2) advantages and shortcomings of chaebols, 3) issues facing Korean chaebols, and 4) chaebols’ managing the crisis and making reforms. We found that Korean chaebols managed to learn from the economic crisis and made successful reforms.

재벌형 조직의 생성과 발전에 관한 거시이론적 접근

재벌형 조직의 생성과 발전에 관한 거시이론적 접근

Does the Transformation to holding company systems in Korean Chaebol improve the valuation independence of affiliated firms’ cost of debt?

Family-owned conglomerates are prevalent in most Asian countries, in which excessive control rights of their majority shareholders infringe independent managements of their affiliated firms. Less than 50% of Korean chaebol conglomerates have transformed to holding company systems to ensure independent management of affiliated firms. Empirical analyses discovered that the cost of debts in the companies which have been transformed to holding company restricting the complicated equity investment among the affiliated firms of chaebol are evaluated independently. Results imply that the negative effect from the propping of internal capital can be reduced through the fundamental change in the corporate governance.

When transnational learning theory met business group-level organisational learning: evidence from globalised Korean chaebols

When transnational learning theory met business group-level organisational learning: evidence from globalised Korean chaebols

When transnational learning theory met business group-level organisational learning: evidence from globalised Korean chaebols

This study empirically explores globally linked learning and locally leveraged learning within Korean business groups, called chaebols, as the two dimensions of transnational learning. This study used global organisational learning theory as the basis for understanding transnational social learning structures (TSLSs) in the context of a group-level, knowledge-network phenomenon. The sample in this study, which included companies from 55 chaebols, consisted of 217 multinational group-affiliated companies (MGACs) and their 894 foreign sales subsidiaries and 1,128 manufacturing subsidiaries. Our findings suggested that there is a relatively influential difference between globally linked learning and locally leveraged learning for both foreign sales subsidiaries and foreign manufacturing subsidiaries. In sum, locally-leveraged learning among peer MGACs had a much more significant effect on the performance of sales subsidiaries than did globally-linked learning. Interestingly, just the opposite was true for the effect of the two types of learning on the performance of manufacturing subsidiaries, with globally-linked learning having greater influence than locally-leveraged learning. Additionally, for the performances of both foreign sales subsidiaries and foreign manufacturing subsidiaries, an important synergistic effect was observed between globally-linked learning and locally-leveraged learning within the chaebol.

An exploratory study of how a Korean chaebol’s learning culture facilitates customer service

This paper explains how the organizational learning concept is used by managers in a global Korean company to promote group work, information sharing and an open communication style in order to produce a high level of customer service. Previously collected data from a set of in-depth personal interviews undertaken with three senior managers in a Korean electronics company were analyzed and interpreted using the grounded theory approach, and a number of propositions are put forward. The research findings show that managers in a chaebol deploy organizational learning to identify skilled and knowledgeable staff, and improve the organization’s capability by placing emphasis on developing harmonious, mutually oriented relationships that permeate throughout the organization. Top management demand that staff identify with government economic objectives and align the organization’s strategy accordingly so that the products produced are marketable. To achieve this, the organization fosters continual interaction among managers throughout the organization’s hierarchy. The chaebol’s organizational learning model encapsulates a “corollary” (continual communication) and “tools” (cultural influence and relationship management), and manifests in a unique strategy that allows management systems to evolve naturally.

The Differential Choice Of Chaebol In Earnings Management

This study examines the methods of the differential choice of Korean chaebol in earnings management. Consistent with our prediction, we find a negative association between chaebols ownership and accrual-based earnings management, whereas there is no clear difference between chaebols ownership and real-based earnings management. Furthermore, we find evidence that chaebols exhibit a strongly positive relationship with overproduction-based real activities manipulation, indicating that chaebols prefer overproduction as a method of real earnings management. From additional analyses, we also find that abnormal cash flow from operations is negatively associated with suspect chaebol firm-years that just met zero.

Institutions, Bailout Policies, and Bank Loan Contracting: Evidence from Korean Chaebols

In emerging economies, institutional and regulatory constraints can distort loan contracting and, hence, the incentives of lenders and borrowers. Studying the South Korean syndicated loan market, we find that during the 90s the safety net protecting business groups (chaebols)—especially the government’s bailout policy—affected the structure and pricing of loans to chaebol firms. However, after the chaebol reform of the late 90s dismantled the chaebol safety net, the differences in loan contracts between chaebol and non-chaebol firms narrowed or disappeared. The results suggest that the reform restored lenders’ incentives to monitor chaebol firms and properly assess their risk.

Issues Concerning Succession in the Korean Chaebol

Issues Concerning Succession in the Korean Chaebol

Internal knowledge broker and diversification: the case of Korean management research institutions

This study focusses on the organisational structure supporting the learning based on diversification strategy. The literature review exhibits that an internal knowledge brokerage institution is significantly accountable for managing knowledge in the diversified firms. The case studies of seven major Korean Chaebols, or business groups, exhibit that the managerial research institutions as internal knowledge brokers enable Korean business groups (Conglomerates) to manage knowledge from the broad areas efficiently. Both scholars and practitioners gain implications on how diversified firms can use the abundant pool of knowledge across diverse areas to support their major businesses.

Shareholder Conflict as a Determinant of Corporate Social Responsibility Commitment for Shared Growth

:In this study, we seek to explore shareholder conflicts as a determinant of large firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment for shared growth with subcontractors. Using a sample of 232 firms in the Korean chaebols during 2006'12, we find that CSR commitment is negatively related to controlling shareholders' cash flow rights but positively related to control-ownership disparity. We also find that foreign blockholders mitigate the positive relationship between CSR commitment and control-ownership disparity. This study offers a view of how controlling shareholders and blockholders protect their interests while enhancing their reputations as good citizens through CSR commitment.

The capabilities required for being successful in complex product systems: case study of Korean e-government

Korea has maintained its world-class leadership in e-government since 2010. The present study aims to identify how Korea achieved such a success in e-government from a complex product systems (CoPS) perspective. We confirm that e-government belongs to CoPS and suggest comprehensive capabilities required for succeeding in CoPS. We also examine Korea's success in terms of three capabilities: close networking, acquiring knowledge and leveraging policy and institutions. We identify that direct reporting to the president, a virtuous circle between Korean chaebols and the government, continuous investments into ICT infrastructure and enactment of proper legislation are very important for Korea's success.

한국 재벌기업들의 수익성 결정요인에 대한 추세적 심층분석

본 논문의 주제는 국제금융위기 전,후 시기를 포함하는 연구기간을 기준으로, 관련 유사 연구들이 현재기준 상대적으로 미약하다고 판단되는 국내 자본시장의 소위 재벌그룹 계열사(재벌기업)들의 시장가치와 장부가치 기준 수익성 지표들의 재무적 결정요인들에 대한 분석이다. 최근 국내 재벌기업들의 전반적인 수익성의 감소 추세와 그 중, 일부 기업들로의 비중 증가 성향을 고려하여, 동 수익성 결정요인에 대한 재무적 측면에서의 분석이 요구될 수 있다고 판단된다. 수익성 지표관련 3가지 가설검정 결과로 부터 다음과 같은 재무적 특징이 도출되었다: 첫째, 본 연구의 시계열과 횡단면적 자료 분석관련 패널자료모형 측정을 통한 수익성 결정요인 검정 결과, 장부가기준 수익성지표에 대한 통계상 유의적 변수들로서는 장부가와 시장가 기준의 부채비율들, 시가대비 장부가 비율, 순이익위험도, 자유현금흐름, 그리고 외국인지분율 등으로 판명되었고, 시장가 기준 수익성 결정요인으로는 부채비율 (즉, 이자비용/영업이익)만이 동 수익률에 유의적 영향력을 보였다. 또한, 공변량분석과 Tukey 다중비교분석을 이용한 산업별 수익성 차이 분석에 대한 2번째 가설검정 결과, 장부가 기준, 재벌기업과 비재벌기업 모두, 해당 표본산업들 중, 화학업종과 식품업종에서 상대적으로 높은 수익률을 나타난 반면, 시장가 기준으로는 재벌소속 기업들이 전자통신산업에서 최상의 수익성을 나타내었다. 마지막으로 조정된 '듀퐁시스템'을 이용한 재벌기업과 비재벌기업간의 수익성 해당 요인별 분석에서는 '영업이익매출액' 비율과 '총자산회전율' 요인들에서, 전자가 후자인 비재벌소속 기업들보다 상대적으로 상위수준임을 모수와 비모수 통계적 측정치를 통하여 유의적으로 판명되었다. This study addresses an empirical issue which has been received little attention in the contemporary finance literature: To identify any financial determinants of the profitability indices for the firms belonging to the Korean chaebol. Three hypotheses of concern were postulated and tested for the sample firms covering the periods of the pre-and post-financial global crises. Regarding the results on the 1st hypothesis test of characterizing any financial profiles for the firms (belonging to the chaebols) by estimating a legitimate panel data model: the present study found the statistically significant relationships of the explanatory variables (BVLEVl, MVLEVl, MV/BV, RISK, FCFF and FOS) with the book-value based profitability ratio: while the market-valued profitability index was explained only by BVLEV2. Regarding the 2nd hypothesis test for the profitability of the sample firms at the industry level: the chaebol firms in the chemical and the food industries overall positioned themselves into the top ranks in order, which was tested by the ANCOVA and the Tukey multiple comparison procedure. Finally: on the 3rd hypothesis test for the 'adjusted' Dupont system, only two such as the 'operating margin' and the 'asset turnover' showed their significant effects between the chaebol firms and their counterparts in both the (parametric) independent samples t-test and the (nonparametric) Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney statistics.

The association between related-party transactions and control–ownership wedge: Evidence from Korea

In this study, we examine whether related party transactions (RPT) are used as a mechanism for tunneling among firms belonging to large business groups in Korea (chaebols). Using 982 firm-year data of publicly traded firms in Korea, we find that the control–ownership wedge is positively associated with the magnitude of RPTs. RPTs increase as voting rights increase, while RPTs decrease as cash flow rights increase. The control–ownership wedge is more closely related to RPTs among the top 5 chaebol firms where the agency conflicts between the controlling shareholders and the minority shareholders are more severe than in non-top 5 chaebol firms. While the significant positive association between the control–ownership wedge and RPTs holds for both operating and non-operating RPTs, we find that non-top 5 chaebols use only non-operating RPTs whereas the top 5 firms use both operating and non-operating RPTs. Finally, we find that RPTs of Korean chaebol firms, on average, reduce firm value, but this value destruction is observed only when the control–ownership wedge is high and is more pronounced with the top 5 chaebol firms. Overall, our results together suggest that RPTs occur when the agency problem is severe and they are used as a means of tunneling, thus destroying firm value.

When Heirs Become Major Shareholders: Evidence on Tunneling and Succession Through Related-Party Transactions

In family firms, the succession of controlling equity stake to next generation is an issue of paramount importance. This, however, can be a major challenge in the presence of heavy inheritance or gift tax burden (high tax rate and absence of tax-saving vehicles, such as trusts or foundations) and in the absence of dual-class equity. Such regulatory environment may lead families to seek alternative ways of succession. As for families controlling business groups, one way of doing so is making use of related-party transactions among member firms. By favoring firms where the heir holds significant equity stake, the family can tunnel corporate resources to the heir. Eventually, the firm can grow large enough to acquire controlling equity stakes in other firms within the group. In this paper, we investigate this possibility using Korean chaebol firms during a sample period of 2000-2009. We identify firms where heirs become a major shareholder (treatment group) and compare them against their year-industry-size-matched firms (control group) before and after the ownership change. Difference-in-differences test with firm fixed effects reveal that treatment group firms experience greater related-party transactions, benefit from them in terms of earnings, pay out more dividends, and become more important in controlling other firms in the group.

한국 재벌기업들의 자본구조변화 추이에 관한 재무적 관점에서의 고찰

본 연구의 주제는 국내자본시장관련 재무적인 측면에서 장기적인 이슈가 되고 있는 대규모기업집단(소위 '재벌')소속 계열사들의 자본구조 결정에 대한 재무적 특성요인들의 시대적 변화양태를 분석하는 것이며, 이와 관련하여, 1997년의 아시아 금융위기와 2009년 미국발 국제금융위기 등의 주요 금융 사건들의 발생에도 불구하고, 지속적이고 강건성있는 유의적 재무적 특성을 파악하는 것이 연구의 주된 목적이라고 판단한다. 이를 통하여, 국내 기업 뿐만 아니라, 향후 국내자본시장의 선진시장으로의 분류상 진입가능성과 부합하여, 점진적으로 증가될 것으로 예상되는 외국자본의 국내 직접투자 시 적정자본구조 설정에 대한 참고적 기여도도 추가적인 목적이 될 수 있다. 본 문에서는 재벌계열사들의 부채비율관련, 3가지의 가설들이 설정, 검정되었으며, 다음의 주요 결과들이 도출되었다. 첫째, 시계열자료 사용관련, 패널자료분석 결과 장부가와 시장가기준 부채비율에 영향을 주는 통계상 유의적 결정요인들로서는 수익성, 순이익의 변화도(즉, 위험도), 그리고 비부채적 법인세 감면효과 등으로 판명되었다. 두 번째 가설관련, 프로빗 모형을 이용한 재벌계열사와 비재벌계열사들의 자본구조에 영향을 줄 수 있는 차별적 구성요인들 검정관련, 수익성과 잉여현금흐름에 대한 변수들이 통계적 유의성을 보였고, 마지막 가설에서는 제조업의 수익성분석에서 전통적으로 활용되었던 '듀퐁시스템'을 부채비율 관점에서 응용하여, 이에 대한 구성요인들을 모수 그리고 비모수의 통계적 분석을 활용하여 분석한 결과, 차입금의존도(부채/자산총계) 만이 유일한 유의성을 나타낸 것으로 분석되었다. This study examined a long-standing issue with its perverse results in the Korean capital markets, such as any variant financial profiles over time, affecting capital structure for the firms belonging to the chaebols. It may be of interest to identify these components from the perspectives of international investors and domestic policy makers to implement their contingent strategies on the target leverage, since the U.S. financial turmoils in the late 2000s. Regarding the evidence from the three hypothesis tests on the firms in the chaebols, this research found that the control variabels measuring profitability, business risk, and non-debt tax shields, showed their statistically significant relationships with the different types of a debt ratio. While FCFF(free cash flow to the firm) showed its significant influence to discriminate between the firms in the chaebols and their counterparts, not belonging to the chaebols, BDRELY as the ratio of liabilities to total assets, comprising the enhanced 'Dupont' system, only showed its statistically significant effect on leverage in the context of the parametric and nonparametric tests. In line with the results obtained from the present research, one may expect that a firm in the Korean chaebol, may control or restructure its present level of capital structure to revert to its target optimal capital structure towards maximizing the shareholders' wealth.

Paths to globalization: Korean chaebol and Chinese SOEs

Paths to globalization: Korean chaebol and Chinese SOEs

Group Effect on Cost of Debt: Evidence from Korean Chaebols

This paper attempts to investigate linkages that a firm affiliated in a business group utilizes to prosper even in adverse financial environmental conditions. The study focuses on identifying the impact from business group association on cost of debt of an affiliated firm utilizing network characteristics and parameters of the business group. From a pilot test of the hypothesis with only one explanatory variable shows the cost spread is positively correlated (β=0.043) at significance level of 1%, with the number of equity investments made by a firm into other affiliated firms in the business group. It provides evidences that creditors perceive the event of equity investment into affiliated firms as credit quality reducing activity that draws additional responsibilities to the firm resulting in increase of cost of debt. However, the relationship was not seen significant when a firm receives equity investments from other affiliated firms.