제조업 유통경로관리 특성과 개선방향

Despite the impressive economic growth over the past several decades, Korea's distribution sector has remained quite underdeveloped. Until recently, management of the marketing channels also has been staying at an unsophisticated level. The Korean marketing channel system is largely characterized by 1) undifferentiated channel types among the competing manufacturers, 2) dominance by the manufacturers over the other channel members, 3) high level of conflicts among the channel members, 4) inefficient marketing information system, and 5) lack of managers properly trained in channel operation and management. Currently, major change factors emerged and has begun to directly affect the Korean marketing channel system. The most salient changes surrounding the Korean marketing channel system are 1) complete opening of the marketing channels for the foreigners, 2) emergence and spread of new types of channels 3) adoption of advanced information technology by the various channel members, 4) increase in flexibility in production and supply systems, 5) shift of power toward the retailers away from the manufacturers, 6) growing trend for cooperation and alliance among the traditional marketing institutions. To these changes the manufacturers have been reacting, rather than proacting, mostly using defensive measures. The proactive measures that are recommended on behalf of the manufacturers include 1) installation of the strategic channel management system, 2) development of the skills for efficient interorganization management, 3) investing in efficient system for marketing information and logistics management, 4) more efficient management of brands, and 5) maintenance of price-competitiveness.