Investigating Citizen Perceptions and Business Performance of Airbnb in Korea

Abstract

The “sharing economy” describes a type of business built on the sharing of resources – allowing customers to access goods when needed. While sharing goods has always been a common practice among friends, family, and neighbors, in recent years, the concept of sharing has moved from a community practice into a profitable business model. This study explores gaps between customers’ actual usages and current policies on accommodation sharing by analyzing what needs to be done for the better establishment of sharing economy in society. The purpose of this study is to investigate perceptions of accommodation sharing by analyzing reviews and negative aspects that help resolve complaints and improve better services through policy establishment. This study investigates key attributes that influence business performance to improve citizens’ decision-making for the usage of accommodation sharing. This study applies qualitative research by collecting demand- and supply-side reviews from selected registered accommodations using a random sampling procedure. This study finds that guests prefer entire house sharing with instrumental attributes related to properties. Entire house sharing of multiple dwellings shows business impacts in terms of high occupancy rate on the platform, while there are policy concerns with entire house sharing. The results provide policy and managerial implications by suggesting proper policies and considering relationships with citizens.