From Noodles to Technology: The Foundation of Samsung
Samsung's story begins
on March 1, 1938, when Lee Byung-chul started a small trading company in Taegu,
Korea, dealing in groceries and noodles. The name "Samsung"
translates to "three stars" in Korean, symbolizing the founder's
vision of a company that would be powerful and everlasting. The company
diversified into various industries, including textiles and food processing,
before making its pivotal entry into the electronics market.
Samsung Electronics was officially established on January 13, 1969. Its initial foray into electronics involved producing black-and-white televisions, a move that laid the groundwork for its future as a technology leader. To build its technological capabilities, Samsung sent its first batch of 137 trainees to Japan in 1970 to learn from companies like Sanyo Electric and NEC Corporation. This focus on research and development from the very beginning was a key factor in its rapid growth.
Ownership and
Corporate Structure
Samsung Electronics is
a publicly traded company with a complex ownership structure characteristic of
South Korean "chaebols" (large, family-controlled business
conglomerates). As of mid-2025, foreign investors held a significant portion of
both common (48%) and preferred (71%) stock.
The largest
shareholders include:
- Samsung Life Insurance: A key
affiliate within the Samsung Group.
- National Pension Service of Korea: A
major institutional investor.
- BlackRock: A global investment
management corporation.
- Samsung C&T Corporation: The de
facto holding company of the Samsung Group.
The founding Lee
family maintains significant influence through a web of cross-shareholdings
among its various affiliated companies and through direct ownership by family
members, including Lee Jae-yong (the current executive chairman), Hong Ra-hee
(his mother), Lee Boo-jin, and Lee Seo-hyun (his sisters).
A Culture of
Innovation and Excellence
Samsung's
organizational culture is centered around innovation and human resource
development. The company fosters an environment that encourages employees to
develop their skills and contribute to technological advancements. The core
tenets of its work culture include:
- Passion for Excellence: A drive to
create superior products that improve society.
- Constant Change: An emphasis on
adaptability and continuous improvement.
- Ethical Foundation: A commitment to
integrity in all business practices.
- Horizontal Communication: Encouraging
a bottom-up approach where employees are respected and listened to.
- Work-Life Balance: Programs and
policies designed to help employees balance their professional and
personal lives.
Comprehensive
Employee Benefits
Samsung offers a wide
range of benefits to attract and retain top talent. These benefits are designed
to support employees' health, finances, and overall well-being.
|
Benefit Category |
Details |
|
Health &
Wellness |
Comprehensive
medical, dental, and vision insurance, telehealth services, and an Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) for therapeutic services . |
|
Financial &
Retirement |
Health Savings
Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and student loan support . |
|
Paid Time Off |
A generous Paid
Time Off (PTO) policy, with full-time employees accruing 20 days per year, in
addition to company holidays . |
|
Flexibility |
FlexTimeallows
employees to adjust their start and end times,FlexPlaceenables working from
home or an alternate location up to four times a month,
andFlexYourFridayoffers early departures on Fridays during the summer . |
|
Family Support |
Up to 12 weeks of
fully paid parental leave for new parents . |
|
Employee
Discounts |
Employees can
receive up to 30% off on a wide range of Samsung products for themselves,
their friends, and their family . |
Employment and
Career Opportunities
With over 200
locations in more than 70 countries, Samsung Electronics offers a vast array of
career opportunities across various fields. The main job areas include:
- Sales & Marketing: Working to
bring Samsung's market-leading products, from smartphones to TVs, to a
global audience.
- Research & Development: The core
of Samsung's innovation, with opportunities for both hardware and software
engineers to work on next-generation technologies.
- Design: Creating the products, user
interfaces (UI), and user experiences (UX) that millions of people
interact with daily.
- General Management: Roles in
planning, finance, human resources, and other support functions that are
critical to the company's global operations.
Opportunities for
Freshers
Samsung actively
recruits fresh talent and provides numerous opportunities for recent graduates
to launch their careers. In India, there are frequent openings for freshers in
various roles, including:
- Software Development: Roles like
"jr developer" requiring skills in HTML, CSS, and SQL.
- Cybersecurity: Positions such as
"SOC Analyst" for graduates with degrees in computer science or
related fields.
- AI and Machine Learning: Openings for
"AI Engineers" for those with a background in computer vision
and AI projects.
- Internships: Opportunities in data
entry, product management, and other areas to gain practical experience.
The Future: An
AI-Powered World
Samsung's future
strategy is heavily focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The company
has announced its "AI for All" vision, with the ambitious goal of
embedding AI into 200 million devices by the end of 2024. Key elements of its
future outlook include:
- Focus on High-End Chips: Concentrating
on the production of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and other advanced
semiconductors crucial for AI applications.
- Galaxy AI: Enhancing its mobile
devices with advanced AI features to drive sales and improve profitability
in the competitive smartphone market.
- SmartThings Platform: Leveraging its
SmartThings ecosystem, with over 360 million users, to become a leader in
the AI-driven smart home market.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Utilizing its
cutting-edge 2-nanometer Gate-All-Around (GAA) process technology to
attract new clients in the semiconductor industry.
By continuing to
innovate and strategically investing in the technologies of the future, Samsung
is poised to maintain its position as a global leader for years to come.