Samsung replaces handset division boss
Print Edition
Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co’s long-time handset division chief is ceding day-to-day management of the struggling smartphone business in the biggest leadership change yet under the conglomerate’s heir-apparent, Lee Jae-yong.
Samsung Group said Koh Dongjin, 54, will take over as president of the mobile communications business from 59-year-old Shin Jong-kyun, who will remain head of the overall mobile division for Samsung Electronics and focus on long-term strategy and developing new growth businesses.
The move diminishes Shin’s influence on the mobile business as the former cash-cow battles to reverse a slide in its market share to rivals like Apple Inc, Huawei Technologies Co and Xiaomi Inc.
“While it’s true that Shin delivered remarkable performance in the past, it’s indisputable that the Galaxy S6’s results fell short of expectations so a new leader was needed,” said Hansung University economics Professor Kim Sang-jo.
“Today’s appointments appear to acknowledge the need to develop a management system that can respond to challenges from Xiaomi and other Chinese companies,” he said.
The group’s announcement of management changes also saw another top executive moved into a strategic role, with TV and appliances division chief Yoon Boo-keun shifted out of the day-to-day operations.
Analysts said that while the moves were an acknowledgment that change was needed, they did not expect a new strategy to emerge any time soon.
“Koh is basically the same person as Shin,” said Chang Sea-jin, a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science.
Analysts said Samsung needed to step up its software and services offerings to revive its mobile business, but Koh has an engineering background like Shin.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
