Policy Implications from the Korean Sports Services Industry Factual Survey: A Focus on the Comparison of Growth Potential by Business Type

Abstract

PURPOSE This study presents policy implications drawn from a factual survey on the sports services industry in Korea, aiming to understand its current status and provide systematic support for high growth sectors. METHODS The research involved 600 companies across 18 sports service industry sectors, with growth potential assessed using standardized Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) scores based on indicators such as the number of businesses, employees, sales, business productivity, and labor productivity. RESULTS Results revealed that high-growth sectors were more prominent in the Incheon/Gyeonggi regions, while general sectors showed higher proportions in the Seoul area. Satisfaction with government support programs was above average in high-growth sectors, contrasting with lower satisfaction in general sectors, depending on the criteria. Both high-growth and general sectors faced difficulty securing liquid assets, expressing expectations for government financial support, such as expanded loans. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, a policy for achieving regional balance for sports service industries concentrated in the metropolitan area and differentiation in regional sports service industries is necessary. Through a paradigm shift in business support, the competitiveness of the sports services industry can be enhanced, and comprehensive policies for the domestic sports service industry must be formulated.

Keywords

• service industry
• sports service business
• policy research
• factual survey
• government corporate support services quality