[Global HR Forum 2011] Korea as the Global Hub for Human Resources

Korea as the Global Hub for Human Resources 

 

By Shin Ji Park

 

 

How do people around the world view Korea? Would they consider Korea a global hub of human resources? The participants of Global HR Forum were posed with the following question: "Do you think Korea has leapt forward as a global hub of human resources?” Most replied that Koreans’ value on education and dedication to work have enabled the country to become a global hub of human resources. But to become a "true" global hub of human resources, experts advised that Korea should ensure a "diversity of people" and "new approaches to career development." 

 

 

Specialists agreed that the key factors for Korea’s fast advancement as a global hub for human resources are people's dedication to hard work and their passion for education. "The cultural embrace of strong work ethics, partnered with education and language skills, makes Korean workers competitively attractive in global work force," said Janice Howroyd, founder and chief executive of ACT-1 Group. 

 

Peter Kuchinke said that "the high work value among Korean workers and the global orientation of Korean citizens" have played a big role in helping Korea become a global hub for human resources. Harold Burson, founder and chief executive of Burson-Marstellar; Roger Shouse, associate professor at Pennsylvania State University; Ambassador Hans-Ulrich Seidt of the Embassy of Germany in Korea and Peter Jarvis, professor emeritus at the University of Surrey also had high regards for Korean’s dedication and commitment to hard work. 

 

The competitive education facilities of Korea were also noted. “The flourish of a number of globally oriented, internationally accredited, top-notch business schools has been a key driver for the development of a sound management culture in Korea,” said Dean Santiago Iniguez of IE Business School.

 

Professor of History at the Free University of Berlin, Paul Nolte commented that Korea’s free and democratic atmosphere affected the country in a positive way. He pointed to “Korea’s commitment to democracy” as one of the factors that precipitated Korea’s advancement as a global hub for human resources. 

 

However, others pointed out that though Korea is competitive in terms of human resources, it is not yet a true a true hub of human resource. “It is probably not yet a global hub because such a hub must serve a diversity of people, including foreigners who are likely to know English but not Korean,” said Jee-Peng Tan, regional education advisor in the Human Development Department of the World Bank’s Africa Region. “Being able to offer training conducted in English is essential for Korea to become a global hub for human resources,” she said. Wayne Tollemache, executive managing director at First Advantage Pte. Ltd also commented that Korea is “not yet” a global hub of HR. 

 

Executive Director Peter Tatham of the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) advised that “developing self-reliant individuals who can seek out and access opportunities in Korea and globally may require new approaches to career development learning in schools and workplaces and government policies.” Despite Korea’s extraordinary economic development, he was concerned that its citizens aren’t prepared well enough for changes in work patterns and work places. He emphasized research by organizations such as KRIVET and cooperation across the Asia Pacific region to share knowledge and practices.