Comprehensive Business Model of Samsung – Detail Explanation

Samsung was founded in 1938 and is currently the largest smartphone seller in the world. It is specialized not just in telephones, but in other business sectors as well. Samsung started as a trading firm in the initial stages of food processing, insurance, textiles, retail, and securities throughout Samsung’s next three decades. Currently, Samsung’s business model uses electronics mostly from mobile phones and semiconductors for the most part.

In this piece, we will delve into the Business Model of Samsung and see how one of the world’s most prestigious businesses got the sixth highest global mark in 2017. Also, do visit our other blogs to read more case studies like this.

About Samsung

Samsung Enterprise is a multinational conglomerate company based in South Korea. The headquarters are in Samsung Town, Seoul. It was originally established in March 1938 as a grocery trading store by Lee Byung-Chull. The company ventured into the electronics industry with its first electronic product, a black-and-white television in 1969 and has expanded gradually since then. 

Samsung Electronics has four main categories which are digital media, semiconductors, telecommunication networks, and LCD digital appliances. The company supplies electronic components like lithium-ion batteries and semiconductors to tech companies like Sony and Apple. Samsung has become especially known for some of its consumer products such as mobile devices and their home entertainment systems.

The company has been one of the largest manufacturers of television and producers of LCD panels in the world since 2002. In 2019, Samsung was named the 4th most valuable Asia Pacific Corporate brand. In 2020, the Korean conglomerate Samsung employs 267,937 people all over the world. 

Current news about the brand

• Samsung is a South Korean multinational company and right now becoming the world’s largest corporation. The company deals with its business in several sectors such as technology, finance, petrochemicals, semiconductors, plant construction, skyscrapers, medicine, fashion, hotels, chemicals, and others. Samsung was established in 1969 in Suwon, South Korea, and was known globally for its electronic products.
• This year, Samsung came up with new additions to the Galaxy family like the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5, the Galaxy Watch6 series, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series. This event took place for the first time in Seoul, South Korea. 
• The Galaxy Z Flip5 is an innovative design and is full of new features. The exterior design was the most evident. It has a wider cover screen and is in a compact form that fits in a pocket. It is also lighter and more durable compared to before.
• In line with Samsung’s commitment to a sustainable future, the entire Galaxy lineup introduced eco-conscious materials across the entire production cycle, from internal components to external packaging. The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5, compared to other Galaxy series use more recycled parts. 
• Galaxy Unpacked 2023 prioritized user-centric innovation. It looks forward to a more connected and enjoyable future.

Buyer Persona

Business model of Samsung 

As mentioned previously, a modest trading firm of 40 people started its business. Then the local foodstuffs, dried fish, and noodles were dealt with. Samsung began its sugar refinery and was later joined by South Korea’s largest woolen mill. Samsung decided to diversify to other business areas, such as securities, insurance, and retail businesses. Now Samsung C&T Corporation has become a trading company.

In the 1960s, Samsung became involved in the electronics industry, which included Samsung Electronics Devices, Samsung Corning, Samsung Electronics, and Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications. A black and white television set was the first product of the electronics branch.

Samsung then also entered into the real estate company which, together with Taipei in Taiwan, played a leading role in the Petronas Towers in Malaysia. Samsung was the world’s leading maker of memory chips in 1992 and an LCD screen appeared in 1995. The latter was followed by Digital TV and Smartphone technology in 2000 in the Set-Top box technology.

1. Samsung Economic Growth and Stability

Over the years, the organization has expanded from a small company to a global one. To continue to increase the level of success, economic growth and stability must be maintained well. Electronics Samsung is a critical area of Samsung’s business plan. Electronics became the center of the firm. TV, VCR, PC, and tape recorders were developed. They had an economic downturn in 1993.

The organization has been consolidated and decreased. The combination of equivalent units began. In making Samsung a more focused firm, the recession had a good influence. The company went to LCD (liquid crystal display). They were the biggest flat-screen television producer worldwide. They chose to do the smartphone business after this success.

2. Samsung Organizational Structure

The enterprise is a multinational conglomerate. HQ in Samsung Town, Seoul. Headquarters. Samsung’s business model can be regarded as a business model for companies. It is an entity with public transactions and a Board of Directors. A normal corporation that is taxed under the US federal taxes is the corporate structure of the business model. It is independent of the owners.

A huge firm with several divisions and subsidiaries is the conglomerate structure of the business model of Samsung. A group is a group of subsidiaries and divisions of a holding firm. one company. These units have unrelated companies.

3. Samsung Target Market

Based on the research of population segmentation, Samsung’s objectives range from ordinary daily use equipment to mechanical standard equipment and a wide range of shoppers. The normal target age collection of customers varies from the 20s to 50s, and the individual can purchase and use the products Samsung brings to the table in the marketplace.

Young individuals from 14 to 25 years old to young adults. The age group of buyers from Samsung items is usually the cellular focus of Samsung customers as they are usually interested in innovation. This customer gathering took place when Samsung saw that this… Just show more content. Show more content.

The main focus of this special gathering is the main objective market in Samsung since this is the collection of buyers who have the greatest ability to acquire one of the items on the market, whether it’s cellular phones, shiny TVs, cameras, or any other familial item, such as vacuum cleaners or clothing washing machines. In the coming years, this sector of customers will continue to rise.

4. Samsung Top Management

The business model of Samsung can be described as a corporate business model. It is a publicly listed company with a Board of Directors and shareholders as well. The conglomerate structure of the business model of Samsung is a large company with many divisions and subsidiaries under one holding company. These units have unrelated businesses. 

The top Management level of Samsung is occupied by the 3 CEOs –

5. Samsung Market Share

Having its presence in dozens of markets, the global revenue made by Samsung Electronics over the decade is not small. Samsung Electronics observed a global revenue of around 237 trillion South Korean won in 2020 which accounts for approximately 200 billion U.S. dollars.

Global revenue of Samsung Electronics from 2005 to 2020 according to a study by Statista – 

According to a study by Statista, Samsung occupied the number one spot in global market share with shipments reaching 58 million units in Q2 2021, however, it dropped to 18% in comparison to 22% in Q1 2021 as its shipments decreased by 24% QoQ due to weak seasonal demand in some of its key regions like India, Central, and Latin America and Southeast Asia and also due to production disruption in Vietnam due to COVID-19. 

6. Samsung Products and Services 

Samsung is well-known everywhere for its smartphones. But the company is beyond just a phone and offers a diversity of products and services. Although a majority of revenues come from its smartphones, the business model of Samsung is highly dependent on the various other businesses it indulges in.

The products and services Samsung offers are –

Phones, Tablets & Wearables	Computing
Memory & Storage	Digital Signage & Video Walls
TVs	Appliances
Network & 5G	Other Products

It includes the following services –

• High caliber healthcare
• Life insurance
• purchasing  medicines
• Pursuing studies in universities
• Vacations
• Electronics
• Engineering

Industrial affiliates of Samsung include-

• Samsung Electronics – the largest IT Company, consumer electronics maker, and chipmaker in the world
• Samsung Heavy Industries – ranks 2nd  largest among shipbuilders in the world
• Samsung Engineering  – 13th largest construction company in the world
• Samsung C&T – 36th largest construction company in the world
• Samsung Life Insurance – the 14th largest LIC in the world
• Samsung Everland – the operator of Everland Resort and is the oldest theme park in South Korea
• Cheil Worldwide –  the 15th largest advertising agency worldwide

7. Samsung Pricing Model

Quality high-technology products at a reasonable price are one tactic Samsung firmly complies with. The unique selling proposition for Samsung is mostly in the quality of their products, conjoined with the high tech implanted into the electronic products and reasonable price range. Samsung has been more competitive because of its low-cost structure, and its aptitude for adaptation to economic events.

Being present in so many product categories, Samsung follows a variety of pricing tactics. When Samsung launches a new product in the market, it initially uses a skimming price for the product. It uses this tactic and tries to get high value at the start before competitors come up with a similar configuration.  And when the product is outdated or the same product from another company is released in the market, the price immediately drops.

Additionally, Samsung also uses competitive pricing for home appliance products.

Top 5 Competitors of Samsung

• Apple – Apple is without a doubt Samsung’s number 1 competitor when talking about high-end smartphones. The iPhone was one of the first phones to have multi-touch features. The iPhone is loved by many, Samsung utilized Google Android to launch several features of its own, including its amazing hardware.
• LG Electronics – LG has a huge product line. They have also been involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The brand loyalty has also helped them to succeed even in difficult business conditions. 
• Sony – When you think of Sony, the first thing that comes to your mind is electronics, such as TV, and PlayStation. As it’s diversified, it reduces market risk and increases stability.
• Huawei – The prices are kept at a very competitive range. Their key focus is to take over the entire market. Huawei also has a variety of products like smartphones, TVs, etc.
• Intel – Intel is known for its speed, security, and innovation. Intel has a global presence and their social media content is engaging. They post random quizzes and questions for their followers.

Example of a failed campaign or backlash from viewers

Samsung apologized after its recent ad campaign for its Galaxy fitness watch, which shows a woman going for a run at 2 a.m., was heavily criticized on social media. This campaign was created by Ogilvy New York and features a woman jogging through the streets alone at night while wearing earphones. Women’s rights groups have pointed out that 23-year-old Ashling Murphy was killed on a run in Tullamore, Ireland.

Samsung, in return, said: “​​The ‘Night Owls’ campaign was made with a positive message: to celebrate individuality and freedom to exercise at all hours. Samsung had removed this ad in its wearable products campaign in Singapore after receiving backlash for it.

In an attempt to promote diversity and inclusion, the South Korean electronics giant selected a number of talents, including a Malay-Muslim woman and her drag queen son, for its ‘Listen to your heart’ campaign. The ad displayed how the woman used Samsung’s wireless earbuds to ‘listen to her heart’ and loved her son in spite of queerness being frowned upon by their religion.

However, this talent pairing in the ad upset some viewers in the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore and they urged Samsung to take the ad down, which the South Korean company did not deny.

Conclusion

To conclude the research of Samsung’s business model assignment, this paper examines some of Samsung’s important operating sectors and specifies the business model available in its current operational architecture.

The several elements of the company are analyzed to improve the understanding of the benefits of product development, customer service, and supply chain management. Implications of the use and evaluation of the new business model, taking account of this organization’s demands and needs.

This report can be evident in promoting the desired form of excellence across the system and determining a better approach for facilitating progress all across the organization. Different design-based assumption modes are evaluated and explored for the integration of obvious promotions with sustainable, customer-driven methods of corporate development. 

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