Characteristics of a successful community business : Case studies of Japan and South Korea

Community Businesses (CB:) have emerged to resolve local social problems, especially in rural areas where depopulation, ageing and business stagflation are prevalent. This paper is an explorative investigation of contemporary CB success practices for sustainable rural business. The research compares the cases of Akizuno in Kamiakizu, Japan and Wanju in South Korea, which have accomplished regional revitalization. The paper highlights eight characteristic elements of CB's success. One key characteristic is the existence of a strong trustworthy network amongst the local community. This stands out well above any commercial or profitability goals. Future research could aim to investigate the successful characteristics of CBs in other countries, therefore strengthening the validity of this research's findings.