POSCO: Conglomerate-led social enterprise in South Korea

• Main Authors: CHANG, Dae Ryun, SPROULE, Kevin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2011
• Subjects: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Steel Industry; Social Enterprise; Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics; Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cases_coll_all/6; https://cmp.smu.edu.sg/case/2651
• Institution: Singapore Management University

This case focuses on the social enterprises at POSCO, one of the leading steel makers in the world. POSCO, founded in 1969, has spearheaded social business endeavours initially in its home country of South Korea and later abroad. Its latest social business project is its “social enterprises.” In 2007 the Korean government began certifying social enterprises following in the footsteps of those created elsewhere but with the distinct mission of promoting sustainable employment for the disadvantaged. The case takes students through the unique challenges that exist in this new world of government certified CSR in South Korea. The case focuses on the four Social Enterprises that POSCO has launched to date: POSWITH, POS ECO HOUSING, POSCO SONGDO SE and POSCO SMILE Micro Financing. Through the lens of these specific businesses the case takes students through the collective challenge they face to become self-sufficient.