It’s no question that Koreans work more hours than in any other country in the world. However, in terms of management efficiency they are ranked among the lowest. What could possibly be the reason for such inefficiency?

Is it Confucianism ― employees looking back, embracing tradition and refusing to adapt to a changing world? Is it their military training in which all men are required to dedicate nearly two years of their lives? I believe that it is a combination of both that creates a business culture in which subordinates follow authority without question.

In the most extreme situation this refusal to question authority has resulted in death, as was the case with a Korean Air flight en route to Guam. The co-pilot saw that it was unsafe to land in stormy conditions but attempted to land anyway after the captain gave him orders to do so.

A less extreme example would be the organization I am currently working for in which employees spend a great deal of time filling out forms and not focusing on results. Our accountant spends an entire day entering data into the computer, something that could be corrected easily with a simple accounting program.

The most successful companies in the world are the ones that focus on continuous improvement. Every employee regardless of status is encouraged to make suggestions to improve efficiency.

Toyota uses this management style and is considered by many experts to be the best-run company of all time. If Korea wants to continue to be competitive in the global market they need to reconsider their management philosophy.

By Travis Christensen

Travis Christensen is an assistant professor at a university in Daejeon, South Korea. ― Ed.