Kwon promises delegation of authorities to enhance innovation


Samsung Electronics’ new chief executive Kwon Oh-hyun officially took office on Monday by encouraging his employees to enhance the firm’s competitiveness amid the era of rapid change in the electronics industry.

“Samsung Electronics is at the turning point of becoming a genuine top global firm,” Kwon said in a message sent to employees. “We must not hesitate or settle with where we are right now, but transform into an innovative company through continuous challenges and revolutionary efforts.”

Kwon’s message came in line with the words and actions of chairman Lee Kun-hee, who has been stressing drastic changes amid the sluggish global economic crisis.

He asked workers to show strong market and technology leadership for flagship projects, most likely pointing to the smartphone and television businesses. He also said they must decrease the gap with its outperforming firms by securing product competitiveness and keeping a close market watch for its nurturing projects.

Kwon said he would give improved authority to the employees for more creativity and support them to take on new projects.

“Play your own roles with passion and ownership,” he said. “We must create added value in the tasks by promoting the ‘work smart’ culture.”

In light of the firm’s fining by a state agency for irregular subcontracting, the CEO said such practices that go against fair trade should not exist and that an eco-system for joint cooperation must be established.

The nomination of Kwon as the head of the world’s top smartphone and flat-screen TV maker was finalized following a board meeting on June 8.

The decision takes place after its former chief executive and vice chairman Choi Gee-sung was tapped to be seated as the chief of Samsung Group’s corporate strategy office, a de facto control tower of the country’s No. 1 conglomerate.

The move ended the company’s so-called “two-top” system ― having two vice chairmen Choi and Kwon run the group’s flagship electronics arm as joint CEOs ― which existed for about six months.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)