Working Papers

KEKA Working Papers No. 18

The polarization between large corporations and small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a well-studied subject in Korea, where policy discussions frequently presume the issue to be particularly severe. This study leverages a global database of publicly traded companies to compare the extent of corporate stratification in Korea with that in other advanced economies. Contrary to widespread perceptions, significant polarization is not exclusive to Korea but is prevalent in most of these economies, including the U.S., which is often depicted as possessing a dynamic and robust corporate landscape.