Samsung aims for social impact with CSR programs
In this April 30, 2019 file photo, an employee walks past a Samsung Electronics logo at its office in Seoul. AP-Yonhap
By Kim Yoo-chul
Samsung is aiming to achieve a positive impact on society while strengthening its education-focused corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
The European Commission has previously defined CSR as “the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society.”
Samsung's de-facto leader and vice chairman Lee Jae-yong has emphasized the corporation's CSR strategy as an important competitive asset, and one that should be taken seriously by the firm.
According to Samsung officials, this translates as having the policies and procedures in place to integrate social and consumer concerns with the company's operations and core strategies ― formed in close collaboration with both stakeholders and society.
Samsung Electronics, the group's core business unit on all aspects, recently announced “Go Together for the Future! Enabling People!” as its revamped CSR vision. Under the new initiative, Samsung Electronics is expanding programs seeking shared growth with its local suppliers, as well as the provision of improved education for young adults.
Its “Dream Class” and “Smart School” programs offer low-income families across the country opportunities for education and other benefits. Aside from financial contributions, Samsung also focuses on sharing some of its intellectual properties and supporting the community for a positive impact.
In order to help young adults gain a competitive edge, Samsung has been providing free software-learning programs since 2018 with the goal of supporting the qualification of 10,000, young software engineers. Samsung leader Lee recently visited the company-assisted software educational center in Gwangju, southwest of Seoul, and said Samsung Electronics will continue to expand programs relevant to the growth of young engineers.
“Samsung Dream Class,” which has been operational since 2012, has so far provided 80,000 middle school students and 22,000 undergraduates with improved understanding of the world of software.
In 2018, Samsung partnered with the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ministry and the venture ministry to help some 2,500 local SMEs improve their manufacturing efficiency. At the time of the deal, Samsung said it would invest up to 110 billion won in the project over the next five years.
Its “C-Lab Outside” program, a result of Samsung's initiatives to expand a startup-centric ecosystem, has also seen increased financial and administrative support with over 300 non-Samsung startups receiving assistance through the program.