My war or the highway at Hyundai

Citation

Welch, D. (2008), "My war or the highway at Hyundai", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2008.04416fad.007

My war or the highway at Hyundai

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 16, Issue 6

Welch D., Kiley D., Ihlwan M.Business Week (USA), 17 March 2008, No. 4075, Start page: 48, No. of pages: 3

Purpose – Draws attention to how the culture clash at Hyundai is causing problems in its US subsidiary, Kia. Design/methodology/approach – Describes how Korean car manufacturer Hyundai, and its US subsidiary Kia, are attempting to rebrand themselves and move upscale, selling sedans that can compete with Cadillac and BMW. Outlines the culture clash that exists between the Korean Hyundai management and Kia’s US managers; records how this has led to successive changes in the US management team which has had a detrimental effect on Kia’s expansion plans in the USA. Reports on the top-down management style practiced by Hyundai chief executive, Chung; puts forward that while it has not been well received by US managers, his record in the USA has been impressive. Identifies some of the improvements he has made in the company; profiles Chung and provides his biographical details; outlines the philosophy that underscores the company and records the criticisms made by Hyundai management of Kia’s marketing strategy; looks at how the performance of US managers is scrutinized by coordinators from Hyundai. Originality/value – Examines the reasons for the management discord at Kia. ISSN: 0007-7135 Reference: 37AH916

Keywords: Cars, Manufacturing, Hyundai, Management styles, United States of America, Korea, Corporate culture, Financial performance, Marketing strategy