The Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency's (KOTRA) center in Tel Aviv, which operates under the aegis of the Republic of Korean Embassy, conducted a special survey among 50 Israeli businesspeople with ties to South Korea. The survey was conducted in advance of the departure of an Israeli delegation to Korea, headed by Minister of Industry Trade and Labor Ehud Olmert. The survey, conducted by telephone and e-mail, sought to examine Israeli perceptions of Korean businesspeople. The findings are being distributed in the Korean business community.
88% of the 50 respondents are importers or buyers. 43% have worked with Korea for over ten years, and 27% for between five and ten years. 78% work in companies with fewer than 100 employees.
The survey unexpectedly found that only 56% of the respondents said they had experienced cultural differences in their business relations with Koreans. Among respondents who have been working with Koreans for less than five years, only 33% mentioned cultural differences. The respondents said cultural differences, when they occur, were not a significant obstacle.
In response to questions about Koreans' attitudes, ways of expressing themselves, and psychological aspects, 46% of the respondents said what bothered them the most was Koreans' dissimulation, which strongly contrasts with Israelis' direct way of speaking. A common feature of both Israelis and Koreans was impatience in doing business.
80% of the respondents mentioned the rigid hierarchies in Korean companies: clerk, deputy manager, manager, deputy general manager, general manager, vice president, president/chairman. 62% of the respondents said this hierarchy was an obstacle in decision-making, slowing it down. 21% said they worked with the most senior management or the owners of Korean companies.
In response to questions about the professionalism of their Korean counterparts, 70% of the respondents said it was above average. 82% believed their partners to be trustworthy.
When asked about Koreans' biggest weaknesses, 32% of the respondents mentioned their fluency in English, 30% marketing skills, 22% negotiating skills, and 16% technical know-how.
In the concluding question, whether the respondents would recommend Koreans as trustworthy, professional, and honest, 82% said yes.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 20, 2005