A Glimpse Into What Samsung Means To The Society. Sustainability Report.

You thought Samsung is ONLY an Electronics Giant? Then you gotta read the whole story to unfold more facts for yourself!

Sustainability management is a concept that is becoming increasingly important for a business to thrive in harmony with people, society and environment. From corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to development of environment-friendly products, companies are engaged in sustainable management in various ways. And Samsung is one of those beautiful companies. 

And they are not simple "extra" good-faith activities independent from business operations. They define what a company brings to our society, what it does to make the community better and eventually how it co-exists with the world. Sustainability management is, therefore, a must for a company's survival and should be incorporated in all aspects of a business.

Today we'd like to walk you through the annual Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report published most recently, sharing with you how sustainable management is practiced in Samsung.

Global, Caring Organization

  

Samsung Electronics has a total of 196 subsidiaries around the world. WOW. Among more than 2,20,000 employees at Samsung Electronics as of the end of 2011, 54 percent resided outside Korea, marking the first time for the overseas workforce to surpass the domestic workforce in size. Overseas sales accounted for 84 percent of Samsung Electronics’ total 2011 sales of 165 trillion won, making Samsung Electronics a truly global company. This is what Samsung means to the society.

Social Contributions

  

Being a responsible corporate citizen is becoming part of local communities a company operates in, and leading efforts to make the communities more sustainable. Support programs for health and education of children are core part of such an initiative. In the previous year, 2011, Samsung Electronics integrated various social contribution activities conducted in different regions into a single program titled “Samsung Hope for Children.”

Last year 'Samsung Hope for Children' saw various programs for the wellbeing of children and teens took place in 30 different countries including South Africa, Vietnam and Brazil. Samsung Electronics plans to expand the program to a total 55 countries by 2013. 

Samsung Electronics also runs various programs to help children in Korea such as operating learning centers for after-school tutoring. Many of our employees also regularly participate in volunteer activities in making contributions to local communities.

Saving Environment

  

With climate change being one of the biggest environmental challenges our humanity is facing right now, many governments and companies around the world are taking steps to manage greenhouse gas. Samsung Electronics also embraces reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as an important management priority.

Samsung Electronics has taken various measures including the installation of facilities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes and improvement in energy efficiency of production facilities. The efforts resulted in a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2011, compared to 2008.

Samsung Electronics has also implemented steps for effective management of water resources, setting company-wide policies, reduction targets and strategies to secure and maintain sustainable water resources.

Open Innovation and Partnership

  

Big or small, every company is part of one broader ecosystem. Co-prosperity that benefit small suppliers, manufacturers and partners altogether is one of the goals of Samsung Electronics.

To this end, Samsung Electronics expanded its shared growth programs for suppliers, including training, technology and financial support, to help our partners grow their business and become global. The company is also increasing funding and investing more resources to foster "open innovation" under which suppliers and outside partners can develop new technology and look for business opportunities.

Samsung Electronics is also helping our suppliers to improve their working environment and achieve an environment-friendly management by providing guidelines and incentives.

We have shared some of the key highlights from the latest Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report to help you understand efforts we have taken to be a sustainable company.

Remember, Samsung seems to be the only company with so much goals to work on. 

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