@article{ART003160448},
author={Yeongung Cho and SUH SOOJUNG},
title={A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms},
journal={Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies},
issn={1225-8539},
year={2024},
volume={31},
number={4},
pages={193-238},
doi={10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007}
TY - JOUR
AU - Yeongung Cho
AU - SUH SOOJUNG
TI - A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms
JO - Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies
PY - 2024
VL - 31
IS - 4
PB - Institute of Global Affairs
SP - 193
EP - 238
SN - 1225-8539
AB - Do North Korean informal firms adopt military culture as an organizational culture to overcome structural and cultural limitations as part of their productivity improvement strategies? This study investigates whether North Korean informal firms adopt military culture as an organizational strategy to overcome structural and cultural constraints and enhance productivity. Grounded in organizational culture theory, this study posits that integrating military culture constitutes a rational prescription for improving productivity in such firms. To determine whether this theoretical claim reflects reality, interviews were conducted with North Korean defectors who were interviewees with experience in participating in informal firms. However, the interview results do not support the theoretical claim. Interviewees reported no evidence of military cultural traits—such as collectivism, hierarchical structures, norm adherence, or the use of militaristic elements—in their organizational practices. Instead, the study identifies the features of North Korean informal firms, including independent operations, transactional singularity, and restricted information flows, as limiting factors. These features are primarily driven by the fear of state surveillance and punishment, which, in turn, stem from the pervasive lack of social trust that characterizes North Korean society. The results suggest that the growth of informal firms is unlikely to foster or reinforce military culture across North Korean society.
KW - North Korean Military Culture;Informal Economy;Informal Firms;Organizational Structure;Organizational Culture
DO - 10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
ER -
Yeongung Cho and SUH SOOJUNG. (2024). A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 31(4), 193-238.
Yeongung Cho and SUH SOOJUNG. 2024, "A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms", Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, vol.31, no.4 pp.193-238. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho, SUH SOOJUNG "A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 31.4 pp.193-238 (2024) : 193.
Yeongung Cho, SUH SOOJUNG. A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms. 2024; 31(4), 193-238. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho and SUH SOOJUNG. "A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 31, no.4 (2024) : 193-238.doi: 10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho; SUH SOOJUNG. A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 31(4), 193-238. doi: 10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho; SUH SOOJUNG. A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms. Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies. 2024; 31(4) 193-238. doi: 10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho, SUH SOOJUNG. A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms. 2024; 31(4), 193-238. Available from: doi:10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
Yeongung Cho and SUH SOOJUNG. "A Study on the Presence of Military Culture Adoption as a Mechanism for Productivity Improvement in North Korean Informal Firms" Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies 31, no.4 (2024) : 193-238.doi: 10.18107/japs.2024.31.4.007
