This paper discusses Samsung Electronics’ importance to the South Korea economy, its ownership structure
and its system of supply and production. It centres on an in-depth analysis of the organization of Samsung
Electronics’ supply chain, assessing the electronics giant’s specific relationship to the companies that compose
each layer of this complex system. It focuses on the domestic South Korean supply chain, but makes references to overseas production sites and suppliers. Through this analysis, the report demonstrates Samsung
Electronics’ almost absolute dominance of the South Korean electronics industry and the meaning of this
dominance for less influential companies and their workers. The paper also discusses the no union policy of
Samsung Electronics and its parent company, Samsung Group and the way this policy combines with the organization of the supply chain to enable production flexibility and maximum profits for Samsung, while keeping downward pressure on wages at most points in the supply chain. Finally, the report assesses various current efforts to organize Samsung workers, and argues that the time is now ripe to carry out a full-blown campaign for their health and labour rights.