Coyner’s Comment:
While the critical reader may conclude that the below article has a good amount of Korean self-indulgence, there remains a great deal of truth, nonetheless.
I recall ten years ago how Motorola used South Korea as a test bed market for applications of its newest wireless technology. Koreans were much earlier, widespread adapters of wireless features and functions than were Americans. Consequently, it made a lot of sense to see how a large consumer base may react to the latest engineering innovations before introducing the same to the larger, North American market.
While the Japanese may be the world’s most finicky consumers, the Koreans place a close second. But the costs associated by test marketing, etc. are significantly lower in Korea than Japan. All of which makes Korea an excellent market to try out new products and services.
Where this article may come up short is that it treats this business practice as a new development. In truth, for several years savvy multinationals have been using the South Korean market in this regard.
Korea becomes proving ground for products
Multinationals are also increasingly exploiting the technology and ideas of their local units
‘Products Koreans like will be favored by other nationalities.’
By Kim Mi-ju [mijukim@joongang.co.kr]
Korea JoongAng Daily
May 21,2012