Samsung Global Research
Professional services
UnclaimedA Samsung-affiliated private-sector think tank researching economics, technology, management, public policy, and business conditions in East Asia and globally.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
Samsung Global Research, formerly known as the Samsung Economic Research Institute or SERI, is a private-sector research organization affiliated with Samsung Group in South Korea. It functions as a corporate think tank whose work spans macroeconomics, management strategy, technology and industry, public policy, human resources, global affairs, and broader economic and business trends. Its research has been oriented toward issues relevant to companies, policymakers, and business communities operating in South Korea and the wider East Asian environment. The organization began in July 1986 as an affiliated research center of Samsung Life. In April 1991 it was incorporated under the name Samsung Economic Research Institute, establishing the SERI identity that became associated with its economic and management analysis. Rather than operating as a university or government institute, it developed as a private-sector knowledge organization connected to one of South Korea's largest business groups. Its remit covered both near-term economic interpretation and longer-term analysis of structural, technological, and managerial change. SERI expanded its information-distribution activities during the 1990s and 2000s. The SERI Club, a membership-based information service, began in October 1993. In October 1996 the institute launched an internet homepage, and in November 2004 it introduced SERIWorld.org to provide English-language material for an international audience. A Beijing-related service, associated with the Samsung Economy Research Institute Beijing Office and known as SERIChina, established an official website in March 2006. In June 2010 the organization launched a mobile website, described as the first such service operated by a Korean private think tank. Its research structure has included management strategy, research coordination, knowledge management, public policy, technology and industry, human resources, macroeconomics, and global studies. This breadth reflects the institute's role as an internal and outward-facing source of analysis rather than a narrowly specialized economic forecasting body. Its publications and information services have supported the interpretation of economic conditions, business strategy, industrial developments, policy questions, and international trends. In December 2021, the organization changed its name to Samsung Global Research, or SGR. The change signaled a broader global framing for an institution that had already developed international research and information services under the SERI name. The organization remains associated with Samsung Group and is described as an active private-sector think tank. The available reference material identifies Kim Wonjoon as president, but does not provide a complete leadership history or detailed financial and operational figures.
History
Samsung Global Research originated in July 1986, when Samsung established it as an affiliated research center of Samsung Life. Its initial role was to provide organized analysis of economic and business questions relevant to the Samsung group and the South Korean corporate environment. In April 1991, the organization was incorporated as the Samsung Economic Research Institute, a name that produced the widely used acronym SERI and became its principal public identity for three decades. During the 1990s, SERI developed services intended to distribute research beyond a conventional internal institute. In October 1993 it launched SERI Club, a membership-based information service. Three years later, in October 1996, it opened an internet homepage, making its research and information activities available through the emerging web. These initiatives established the institute as both a research body and a knowledge-distribution platform. The organization expanded its international reach in the 2000s. In November 2004 it opened SERIWorld.org, an English-language website aimed at a global audience. In March 2006 the official website of the Samsung Economy Research Institute Beijing Office, referred to as SERIChina, was launched. These developments reflected an interest in East Asian economic and business conditions and in communicating Samsung-linked research to readers outside South Korea. SERI also adopted new delivery channels as digital use expanded. In June 2010 it launched a mobile website, described in the reference material as the first mobile website operated by a Korean private think tank. This extended access to its research and information services beyond desktop internet users. The institute's research program has covered management strategy, research coordination, knowledge management, public policy, technology and industry, human resources, macroeconomics, and global studies. The combination of economic, managerial, technological, and policy research gave it a broad, multidisciplinary profile. Its work addressed both immediate economic developments and longer-term issues shaping business environments in South Korea and East Asia. In December 2021, the organization changed its name from Samsung Economic Research Institute to Samsung Global Research. The rebranding placed greater emphasis on global research while preserving the institute's connection to Samsung Group. Under the SGR name, it continues to be described as a private-sector think tank in South Korea. The available reference identifies Kim Wonjoon as president. Detailed information on ownership structure, budgets, staffing, and the continuation of individual legacy services is not provided in the source material.
- 2021
Renamed Samsung Global Research
[1]In December, the Samsung Economic Research Institute adopted the Samsung Global Research name.
- 2010
Mobile website launched
[1]SERI launched a mobile website in June, described as the first mobile website for a Korean private think tank.
- 2006
SERIChina website opened
[1]The official website connected with the Samsung Economy Research Institute Beijing Office opened in March.
- 2004
SERIWorld.org launched
[1]The institute opened an English-language website in November for readers outside South Korea.
- 1996
First internet homepage opened
[1]SERI opened an internet homepage in October, extending its research distribution through the web.
- 1993
SERI Club launched
[1]The institute introduced SERI Club, a membership-based information service, in October.
- 1991
Incorporated as Samsung Economic Research Institute
[1]In April, the research center was incorporated under the Samsung Economic Research Institute name, creating the SERI identity.
- 1986
Established as a Samsung Life-affiliated research center
[1]The organization was founded in July as a research center affiliated with Samsung Life.
Products and positioning
A Samsung-affiliated private-sector think tank providing multidisciplinary economic, business, technology, management, policy, and global-affairs research.
Research publications · 1986
Research reports and economic analysis
The institute's core output consists of analysis covering macroeconomics, business conditions, management, public policy, technology, industry, human resources, and global affairs. These materials support interpretation of economic and corporate developments in South Korea, East Asia, and the broader international environment.
Membership information service · 1993
SERI Club
Introduced in 1993, SERI Club was a membership-based information service designed to distribute the institute's research and analysis to subscribers. The available source identifies its launch but does not specify current pricing, membership numbers, or the precise present-day service structure.
English-language research website · 2004
SERIWorld.org
Opened in 2004, SERIWorld.org provided English-language research and information for a global audience. It represented the institute's effort to make its South Korean and East Asian economic perspective accessible internationally.
Regional research information service · 2006
SERIChina
SERIChina was associated with the Samsung Economy Research Institute Beijing Office. Its official website opened in 2006 and reflected the institute's interest in Chinese and wider East Asian economic and business developments.
Brand decisions
2021
Adoption of the Samsung Global Research nameStrategyBackground
The institute had developed research and information services addressing international and East Asian economic and business conditions, including English-language and China-focused platforms.
Action taken
In December, it changed its name from Samsung Economic Research Institute to Samsung Global Research.
Aftermath
The new name positioned the organization with a broader global research identity while retaining its affiliation with Samsung Group.
Recent events
- 2021
Samsung Economic Research Institute renamed Samsung Global Research[1]
Leadership change
The Samsung Economic Research Institute adopted the name Samsung Global Research, broadening the institution's public identity beyond its earlier SERI designation.
Sources2 sources
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