Family vs. Professional CEOs: Selection and Impact in the Context of South Korean Firms

Tuesday, 15 April 2025 | 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. | Room 857, Eighth Floor, Kaneff Tower, Keele Campus, York University

In South Korea, which experienced rapid economic growth in a short period after the war, many companies that contributed to this development tend to be controlled by specific families. For example, affiliates of Samsung, LG and Hyundai are notable cases. The controlling families in these companies have appointed family members as CEOs to maintain their influence over corporate management for extended periods. However, as business environments have become increasingly competitive, it is now widely accepted that appointing competent, non-family professional CEOs is important for the growth and survival of firms. Therefore, understanding different types of CEOs—family CEOs vs. professional CEOs—is of both academic and practical importance in the context of Korean companies, where both types are commonly employed. Accordingly, we investigate the impact of CEO type on corporate outcomes and how firms make decisions regarding CEO selection.

Mi-Hee Lim is a visiting scholar at the York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) and an associate professor in the College of Business at Myongji University in Seoul, South Korea. Her research area lies in corporate governance, encompassing Korean business groups and female leadership as well as sustainability issues including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. She serves as a board member of the Korean Society of Strategic Management and as an editorial board member of the Korean Association of Small Business Studies.
This event is co-presented by the East Asian Studies Program at York University.