I am Ki-Chan Kim, just started to work as chairman of the Korean Association of Small Business Studies (KASBS) in 2011. Since its inception in 1978, KASBS has been in the middle of the area such as business administration and economics. I believe that all this has been achieved by the efforts of not only senior professors but also all members. Even though Korean government’s economic policies had been concentrated on only conglomerates, we, KASBS, have continuously propounded and researched the roles of small businesses. As a result, small businesses in Korea have become to play an important role in Korea economy, and, I believe, KASBS deserves to enjoy what it has achieved for 32 years. In addition, because KASBS has sought to converge multidisciplinary and, based upon its integrity, tried to be with its members, we need to feel proud that KASBS is the one of the Associations that has life-long members most.

   I have noticed that professionals from business administration and economics have sought harmonized relationship and proposed together many appropriate policies to the society under this Association. I believe that one of my jobs as the chairman of the KASBS is to inherit and develop this spirit. To do this, I will concentrate on the followings.

  First of all, I will inherit the agenda 'Small Business Policies for 50 years, and another 50 years' that former chairman Jang-Woo Lee proposed and develop it in the name of '5050 Forum' in this year. I will organize a special committee for this forum, and the committee will discover the sub-topics under the main topic - Widening the area of Small Business: New Market and New Management'. Through the activity, we will retrospect the past small business policies and deliver what we will have studied to the next policy makers. I hope that all members will be actively involved in this effort to produce best results.

  Second, I will seek to the globalization of the KASBS. I will do my best to support all the activities that Editorial Board tries to register as many as dissertations in SSCI (Social Science Citation Index). At the same time, I will encourage foreign scholars who are researching in Korea to be involved in the activities of KASBS. To do this, I will organize a small business research committee and hold research forums every month. And, I will encourage subcommittees to use only English in conferences.

  Third, I believe that KASBS will host the next autumn conference with ICSB (International Council for Small Business) because KASBS has a close relationship with ICSB through supporting ICSB Best Paper Award. As collaborating with researchers in Japan and China, KASBS will take initiative in researching small businesses in Asia-Pacific area. Especially, this year will be the first year of globalization in small business policies so that I will put the globalization first priority. These changes are the achievements of KASBS because we have propounded continuously. In this year, I will be a collaborator who helps many small businesses to develop in overseas markets. Just as a plane needs energy most while taking off, small businesses need it most while seeking globalization. If we will success in the globalization, Korea economy will have another growth engine.

  Fourth, I will make KASBS be the hub in the small business research area. Small businesses have higher potential but still need more supports. I think that more scientific and systematical research will help most small businesses. And, I will continue to support the current research committees in order to produce scientific and systematical research results. Also, I think that more objective structures of statistic information on small businesses are necessary. We often discuss the old business ecosystem, but statistics on business ecosystem is much poorer than in Japan. The statistics on the business succession also requires more objective structures. I will support the ‘Win-Win Growth Research Forum’, operated by the former chairman, Soo-Keun Kwak. While collaborating together, I will combine academic capabilities with policy supports for the development of small businesses.

  Fifth, I will seek more opened environment in which younger and more capable members will have more opportunities to contribute to KASBS, while promoting the harmonization between the old and the young. Recently, KASBS’s human resources have been developed. In 2011, I will host a workshop to provide opportunities to young members, and listen to their opinions and reflect to KASBS. Also, I ask former chairmen and senior members to be with this activity. Encouragement from senior members and passions from young members will make KASBS be more friendly and harmonized association.

  Recently, financial and human resources in KASBS have been enhanced due to the supports from former chairmen. I will make every effort to obtain financial resources to achieve what I have mentioned above. But, I believe that any plan would not be achieved without your supports and involvements. I truthfully ask your continuous support and active participation.

I hope that wellbeing and peace will always be with you and your family.