Smart work system is spreading quickly in Korea as organizations both in the public and private sector are looking for ways to reduce their operational costs while at the same time increasing employee satisfaction.



The government is encouraging the implementation of smart work systems even though it has been a bit behind the curve in initiating suitable programs for public officials. Three Smart Work centers were established from 2010 for

government officials and public workers at government agencies to use.

Another example in the public sector is the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) since June has been looking into providing tax benefits to companies to encourage the adoption of smart work systems. The plan calls for 30 percent of a firm || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s employees to participate in the smart work system in 2015.

For example, the multinational pharmaceutical company Lilly Korea was one of the first in Korea to adopt such a system. The company adopted flexible working hours in 2005 and expanded its alternative working environment with a work-from-home system in 2009. In September 2010, Lilly Korea adopted a smart work system when it moved to its new downtown headquarters near Seoul Station.

The main attribute or benefit of the smart work system is that unlike a conventional working environment, is not restricted to time and space. It adopts both flexible working hours and a work-from-home scheme, while also adopting communication technologies, especially smartphones and tablet PCs.



Samsung Electronics has also adopted a telework system back in May by setting up a satellite office for its workers. Those workers with young children were asked to work at this satellite office and the response was positive as
more than 30 employees signed up. This program will run again and be expanded in the coming year.

SK Telecom is also converting to smart work as it is integrating and utilizing smartphones and tablet PCs in order to establish a working environment that no longer uses paper for work by connecting table PCs such as iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 with cloud computing.

Samsung Electronics employees work at a telework office in Bundang District, Seongnam, Gyeonggi. Provided by the company

Interior work space at Smart Work Center