Purpose – Naver has emerged as a new leader in the open market. While existing open markets such as Gmarket, 11th Street, and so on are suffering from profitability deterioration, Naver is attracting sellers based on low commission and powerful search engine. We would like to analyze the impact of Naver shopping on the national economy, especially on employment, in a situation where the market reaction to Naver's strength as a leader in online shopping is mixed.
Research Design, Data, and Methodology – Through the demand inducing inter-industry analysis, we estimate the employment inducement effect by Naver shopping from its shopping transaction. In turn, through the supply inducing inter-industry analysis, we estimate the employment inducement effect by Naver shopping from its low commission and powerful search engine. For the purpose of inter-industry analysis, as of 2018, the most recently announced 2014 inter-industry table (extension table) from the Bank of Korea is used.
Results – The results of this study are as follows. First, Naver Shopping is expected to generate 7.8 trillion won’s trade in 2018, resulting in 244,225 of job inducement, and 158,598 of employment inducement. In addition, Naver Shopping is estimated to benefit KRW 213 billion to its sellers due to low commission and powerful search function, resulting in 8,667 of job inducement, and 5,655 of employment inducement. Second, in terms of job inducement and employment inducement due to Naver Shopping’s trade, transportation, business support service, information and communication, broadcasting, restaurants and lodging were ranked. Third, in terms of job inducement and employment inducement due to Naver Shopping's low commission and powerful search function, restaurants and hospitality, f/b and cigarette manufacturing, construction, and transportation equipment manufacturing were ranked.
Conclusions – The number of job inducement resulting from low commission and powerful search engine of Naver shopping in 2018 was 8,667 (3.7% of 244,225, which was caused by transaction in Naver shopping in 2018), and employment inducement was 5,655 (3.7% of 158,598, which was caused by transaction in Naver shopping in 2018), which can be considered as additional employment impacts of Naver Shopping compared to the other online shopping operators.