Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding History
Looking at what topics a research institute has been dealing with and for what period of time reveals what changes in the company the institute has been paying attention to. Check out the history of Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding by period, from its establishment in 2004 to the program reorganization in 2026.
With its establishment in June 2004, Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding began basic research on corporate business environments and market competition. We founded the periodical Business Insight in 2006, opened a training course for managers and practitioners in 2012, and expanded research on the growth of start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses in 2015.
Research continued with digital transformation and data management in 2018, supply chain and crisis response in 2020, and customer experience and sustainable management in 2022. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, and in April 2026, it was reorganized into a program that connects research, advisory, and education, strengthening research on AI use and organizational productivity.
Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding What does the history look like by period?
| When | Highlights |
|---|---|
| June 2004 | Establishment of Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding, beginning basic research on corporate management environment and market competition |
| March 2006 | Launch of periodical Business Insight, providing management cases and analysis of market changes |
| May 2009 | Strengthening research on corporate financial stability and business reorganization, expanding surveys on the management of small and medium-sized businesses |
| April 2012 | Opening of strategy, organization and marketing training course for managers and practitioners |
| September 2015 | Expanding research on growth of start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses, analyzing management tasks and support systems at each stage of growth |
| July 2018 | Started research on digital transformation and data management, investigated cases of corporate technology adoption and business innovation |
| October 2020 | Expand research on supply chain, crisis response, and work methods, strengthen online management education and briefing services |
| June 2022 | Expand research on customer experience and sustainable management, and promote link analysis between organization and business performance |
| June 2024 | 20th anniversary of establishment, planned research and forum on corporate growth and management change held |
| April 2026 | Strengthening research on AI utilization and organizational productivity, reorganizing programs that link research, advisory, and education |
What did Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding study in the early days of its establishment?
Research in the first year of establishment started from the basics of the business environment and market competition surrounding the company. This is because you must first understand what competitive conditions a company is in before you can study the choices within it. Business Insight, which was launched two years later, became a conduit for disseminating this basic research to readers through management cases and analysis of market changes, and continues to be the institute's flagship publication.
In 2009, we strengthened research on corporate financial stability and business reorganization and expanded the survey of small and medium-sized business management conditions. Following the competitive environment, it was a period when the focus of research shifted to issues of financial strength and restructuring within the company.
Since when did management education and research on startups and small and medium-sized enterprises begin?
With the opening of a strategy, organization, and marketing training course for managers and practitioners in April 2012, management education that develops research results into learning has become institute's main activity. Three years later, in 2015, we expanded our research on the growth of start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses and began analyzing management tasks and support systems at each stage of growth. The two streams now come together through education and mentoring for entrepreneurs and managers.
When did research on digital transformation and crisis response begin?
In July 2018, institute began research on digital transformation and data management and investigated cases of enterprise technology adoption and business innovation. Around the same time, the OECD also addressed digital transformation as a policy challenge for the economy and society as a whole in its Going Digital report (2019).
In October 2020, we expanded our research to include supply chains, crisis response and ways of working. At the same time, we strengthened online management education and briefing services, expanding the ways for executives and practitioners who have difficulty coming to the training center to receive research results.
How did customer experience and sustainable management come into your research?
In June 2022, institute expanded customer experience and sustainable management research and began analyzing organizational and business performance. Customer trust and the sustainability of cooperative relationships are topics that institute has stated from its founding that it will pursue its achievements. International standards that extend responsible corporate behavior to the supply chain and environment, such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2023), which were revised the following year, are also in line with this trend.
What did Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding do on its 20th anniversary?
institute, celebrating its 20th anniversary in June 2024, held planned research and forums on corporate growth and management changes. It was an opportunity to look back on research accumulated over 20 years and share research results and implementation experiences with companies and researchers. The forum is still the way institute continues its joint research and management exchange activities.
How will research, advisory, and education be connected with the 2026 reorganization?
In April 2026, the institute strengthened research on AI utilization and organizational productivity and reorganized the program into a program that connects research, consultation, and education. The cause discovered in the research was an alternative to consultation, and the experience of implementing consultation led to education and further research. On January 22 of the same year, the “Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Creation of a Foundation for Trust, etc.” was implemented, and the institutional environment surrounding the use of AI by companies was also reorganized.
| flow | start | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| publication | Business Insight founded in 2006 | Reinforcement of briefing services in 2020, now five representative publications |
| education | Curriculum opened in 2012 | Online management education in 2020, research, advisory, and education connection in 2026 |
| Growth company research | Expansion of survey on the management status of small and medium-sized businesses in 2009 | Expanding research on growth of start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses in 2015 |
| Technology and Ways of Working | 2018 Digital Transformation and Data Management Research | Research on work methods in 2020, research on AI utilization and organizational productivity in 2026 |
Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding History Frequently asked questions
How many years has Korea Research Institute of Business & Branding been active?
It has been active since its establishment in June 2004, and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in June 2024.
When was Business Insight founded?
It was founded in March 2006. A periodical that provides business practices and analysis of market changes.
When did you start providing management education?
In April 2012, we opened a strategy, organization, and marketing training course for managers and practitioners. In October 2020, online management education was strengthened.
Since when have you been conducting AI-related research?
We began research on digital transformation and data management in 2018, and strengthened research on AI utilization and organizational productivity in April 2026.
What changed in the recent reorganization?
With the reorganization in April 2026, a program linking research, advisory, and education was created. The structure is such that research results lead to consultation and education, and implementation experience leads to research.
Research Methods Hub and Neighborhood Pages
Primary sources
- international organization OECD (2019). Going Digital: Shaping Policies, Improving Lives
- international organization OECD (2023). OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct
- statute National Legislation Information Center, “Basic Act on Development of Artificial Intelligence and Creation of Trust Foundation, etc.”