HOFSTEDE’S DIMENSIONS IN KOREAN CORPORATE CULTURE THROUGH THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY THERE IS NO LEGEND BY LEE MYUNG BAK

Abstract

The autobiography There is no legend by Mr. Lee Myung Bak, the former Chairman of Hyundai and the former President of the Republic of Korea, is a representative and typical case of narrative works on the lives of the “Heroes” of Korean chaebols (groups). Through the life of an eminent fgure whose fate is attached to the formation and development of one of
Korea’s leading corporations, the work There is no legend helps us understand the power that has made “the Miracle of the Han River” [the rapid economic growth in South Korea in the later half of the 20th century during which South Korea transformed from a developing country to a developed country] as well as the Korean national identity in general and the characteristics of Korean corporate culture in particular. Using Geert Hostede’s theory frame of 6 corporate culture dimensions, this paper analyzes Lee Myung Bak’s autobiography from interdisciplinary approach to make clear some characteristics of Korean corporate culture in modern times.