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Sony vs. Samsung is business history at its best! It explores the divergent fortunes of these two electronics giants in the last decade and identifies the true reasons behind Sony's decline and Samsung's rise. Contrary to popular belief, Chang shows that success (or failure) does not simply arise from different strategies. Rather, it emerges from major decisions that are deeply rooted in the companies' organizational processes and their executives' political behavior. This book is a must-read for any senior executive.
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Constantinos Markides, Robert P. Bauman Professor of Strategic Leadership and Chairman, Strategy Department, London Business School
"Sea-Jin Chang has produced that rarity in a business book--one that is as valuable to practicing managers as it is insightful to academic researchers. In this fascinating comparison of two modern global giants, he applies his high resolution research microscope to their changing fortunes by dissecting their contrasting strategies, and providing interesting insights into their divergent organizational processes and management practices. This is a very valuable contribution to the international business literature. It will end up in as many corporate boardrooms as faculty seminars."
—Christopher A. Bartlett, Thomas D. Casserly Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School
"Sea-Jin Chang has written a fascinating comparison of Sony and Samsung that will be valuable to anyone interested in strategy, organizations or international business. The interwoven and very detailed case studies of two very different companies in overlapping industries illuminate problems such as adaptation to technological change (analog to digital), organizational flexibility and globalization. His attempt to analyze both strategic development and implementation is successful and very useful. Both academics and practitioners will learn a lot from this book."
—Stephen J. Kobrin, William Wurster Professor of Multinational Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
"Refreshingly original and entertaining, this book analyzes major strategic decisions of Samsung and Sony and highlights organizational processes and top management leadership that have shaped their performances. This is a must-read for all executives who want to understand the strengths and weaknesses of Asian competitors. It also provides penetrating insights to other Asian companies with global ambitions."
—Myoung Woo Lee, President and CEO, iriver
Preface.
Chapter 1. Sony and Samsung: Portraits of Two Global Competitors.
Part 1: Strategic Analysis.
Chapter 2. Prince and Pauper in the Analog World.
Chapter 3. Digital Dream Kids and the Digital Sashimi Shop.
Chapter 4. New Kids on the Block.
Chapter 5. Wannabe Globals.
Part 2: Organizational Process and Leadership.
Chapter 6. Same Silos but Different Outcomes.
Chapter 7. From Founders to Professionals Managers.
Chapter 8. The Future of Sony and Samsung Electronics.
Endnotes.
Glossary.
Index.
Sea-Jin Chang is a Kumho Asiana Group Endowed Chair Professor of Business Administration at Korea University. He received his BA and MA in economics from Seoul National University, and Ph.D. in strategic management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Dean's Fellow.
Prior to his return to Korea, he was a professor at the Stern School of Business of the New York University. He also had visiting appointments at Stanford Business School, INSEAD, London Business School, Hitotsubashi University, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a leading researcher on the management of diversified multinational firms. His current research includes strategies for corporate growth through joint ventures and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, and comparative management studies of Japan, Korea and China. He serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious publications and has extensive consulting experience.
