Samsung Executives Glimpse New Technologies Through UB School of Management Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Twenty-five chief information officers (CIOs) from the Samsung Corporation's South Korea headquarters are participating in a four- week information-technology strategy program in the University at Buffalo School of Management this summer.

The program is one component of a $500,000 contract awarded the school by Samsung for development and administration of curriculums that illustrate the strategic application of information technology in the business world. Samsung, ranked among Fortune magazine's most profitable international corporations, selected the UB School of Management among bids from several universities to develop and deliver the program.

The program, taught by management faculty through the school's Center for Management Development, includes visits to businesses in New York for demonstrations of how U.S. industry employs emerging technology to develop new and more efficient management systems, reach new customers and expand its services to the global marketplace. Canadian firms also will be visited.

Samsung commissioned the program as part of its plan to update the information-technology skills of managers across all levels and divisions of its operation, according to Song Joong Kang, a senior specialist for Samsung's Information Technology Academy.

"The program is a part of a big commitment by Samsung to enhance its level of information-technology expertise," said Kang. "Its purpose is to demonstrate how technology learned in the classroom is applied and customized by U.S. companies; to see technology in action."

On a recent visit to Marine Midland Bank headquarters in Buffalo, the CIOs were given a glimpse of new desktop banking applications and an insider's look at the information technology infrastructure developed by the bank to manage its international operations. The group also has visited operations at Corning, Inc, and EDS-Xerox with another visit slated at KPMG Peat Marwick in Toronto.

"The entire education process is driven through cases and site visits," said Lawrence Sanders, associate professor of management science and systems in the school. "Our department also receives several benefits from the program because the Samsung CIOs are a tremendous repository of information technology knowledge."

The program concludes June 27 with a graduation ceremony, but the management school's relationship with Samsung will continue in July with a similar program for the company's information systems directors and with the development of curriculums throughout the year for other Samsung managers. In addition, Samsung has assigned an executive-in-residence at the school for participation in an eight-month program to enhance English speaking ability and management, leadership and marketing skills.