Research Article
A Case Study on W’s Share House Business Model
1 Ajou University
Published: January 2019 · Vol. 23, No. 4 · pp. 75-100
DOI: https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.17287/kbr.2019.23.4.75
Full Text
Abstract
Although the number of single households has been recently rising in the Republic of Korea, it has become a major challenge for young people, as it leads to poor residential environment due to varied reasons such as protracted education period, increased housing prices, and unemployment. The paradigm of “sharing economy” appeared in 2008 as an alternative solution to the above mentioned socioeconomic issues. As a result, the concept of “share houses” emerged. A share house is a new form of residential space created by separating personal and public spaces while providing a large living area, low-cost housing, efficient management, and an emotional sense of stability. Established in September 2012, in Seoul, W is one of the representative companies within the arena of share houses that has established a company that manages and rents share houses, i.e, residential spaces that cater to the demands of single household by young people, addressing the problems encountered within the residential environment. With the motto “Joy to live together,” the company has been enjoying a steady investment interest and business expansion. The company opened 100 and 135 cumulative branches in October 2018 and April 2019, respectively. Through share houses, a new type of shared housing economy, W provides a low- cost and high-quality residential environment for young people and distributes stable and high returns to investors through a new type of housing rental business with its efficient operations. This case study thereby introduces W’s successful business model. It also examines the methods of financing, branch expansion and profit generation, its success factor, and its future tasks/projects.
