Samsung Group
OVERALL |
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Owned |
KOR |
Rating |
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Industrial Group
South Korea's #1 business group (Hyundai is #2). Businesses arms include electronics, trading, financial services and chemicals.
Samsung Group | KOR | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Samsung Group | ||||
The 2018 update to the report entitled "Worldwide Investments in Cluster Munitions" identifies 88 banks and other financial institutions with significant financial links to cluster munitions producers. This bank is listed in the report's Hall of Shame for having investments in one or more of the 7 cluster munitions producers named in the report.
Source: Cluster Munition Coalition (2018)
The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including brands owned by this company. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2020 report estimates (somewhat conservatively) that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps.
Source: ASPI (2020)
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies, and has at least two high risk subsidiaries in tax havens.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022) |
Identified in 'The Big Chill: Too Scared to Speak' report which identified Chinese Olympic Sponsors response to Darfur crisis in Sudan. Received a D-. These companies received a grade slightly higher than outright failure because they met with the campaign. Notably, Samsung sent two executives to New York from South Korea for a meeting with campaign.
Source: Dream for Dafur (2008)
This company appeared tenth on RepRisk's top ten "Most Controversial Companies of 2013". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2013 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. Criticisms of Samsung Group included occupational, health and safety issues and poor employment conditions at its factories as well as human rights abuses, including child labor, within its supply chain. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RepRisk (2013)
This company appeared fourth on RepRisk's top ten "most environmentally and socially controversial companies of 2012". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2012 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RepRisk (2013)
This company has products that are certified by the Carbon Trust, signifying that the carbon footprint of selected products has been measured, managed and reduced. A life cycle product carbon footprint is determined by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw-materials, to end-of-life.
Source: Carbon Trust (2021)
This company is a signatory to WRAP's Electrical and Electronic Equipment Action Plan (esap). Signatories take collective action to reduce their environmental impact and sign up to contribute to the development and implementation of esap.
Source: WRAP (2017)
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website in the areas of strategy, corporate citizenship, environment, diversity & inclusion, responsible labor practice, supply chain, ethics, report & policy, and facts & figures.
Source: company website (2020)
This company received a score of 45.2/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
In 2014 Samsung Group sold four chemical and defense units to Hanwha Group for an estimated US$1.7 billion. The deal makes Hanwha Korea's main defense giant, and includes Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Techwin), maker of armoured tanks and other weapons for the South Korean army and the Turkish army.
Source: news article (2014)
Samsung C&T Corporation is involved in the construction of nuclear power plants in the UAE.
Source: company website (2013)
This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details.
Source: Facing Finance (2015) |
Company Details
Type | Group |
Revenue | 269 billion USD (2012) |
Employees | 425,000 (2012) |
Subsidiaries | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd ![]() Consumer electronics Established in 1969, the flagship company in the Samsung Group operates in consumer electronics, information technology, mobile communications and device solutions. - Samsung Electronics Australia Pty Ltd ![]() Electronics wholesaler Sales and marketing subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, part of the Samsung Group. - Harman International Industries Inc ![]() Electronics Harmans business units are: connected car technology, lifestyle audio, and professional audio and lighting solutions. Acquired by Samsung in 2017. |
Contact Details
Address | Seoul, Republic of Korea |
Website | www.samsung.com |
Products / Brands
Samsung Australia
Gear VR VR Headsets
Samsung Laptops Samsung Storage Media Samsung Tablets Samsung Audio Equipment Samsung Blu-Ray/DVD Players Samsung Televisions Samsung Cameras/Camcorders Samsung Smartphones Samsung Smartwatches Samsung Air Conditioners |
Samsung Dishwashers
Samsung Fridges & Freezers Samsung Microwaves Samsung Ovens & Cooktops Samsung Washing Machines & Dryers Samsung Vacuum Cleaners Samsung Printers Samsung Soundbars Samsung Computer monitors Samsung Galaxy Buds True Wireless Earbuds |
Harman
JBL Soundbars
JBL Bluetooth Speakers JBL True Wireless Earbuds |