고령친화 우수사업자 지정제도의 개선방안에 관한 연구

Many countries broadly classify the population into three (3) groups depending on age. These groups are the youth population from 0 to 14 years old, the economically active population from 15 to 64 years old, and the elderly population over 65 years old. If the proportion of over 65 years old population is more than 7%, it is an aging society. If it is more than 14%, it is an aged society and if it is more than 20%, it is a super-aged society. South Korea was an aging society in 2000, and if current trend continues, it is expected to become an aged society in 2017. South Korea is aging rapidly at record levels in the world. Senior-friendly industry is an industry that there was a need to nurture and support at national level. South Korea thus enacted Senior-friendly Industry Promotion Act in December 2006. For the sake of development and support for senior-friendly industry, a designation system was placed on any senior-friendly products of good quality as exemplary senior-friendly products (hereinafter referred to as “good product”). In addition, a designation system for any senior-friendly business entity which provides a service of good quality as an exemplary senior-friendly business entity (hereinafter referred to as “good business entity”) was also put in place. Items that have been specified and defined as good product, have increased every year. On the other hand, in the case of good business entity, the Ministry of Health and Welfare notification about specified criteria for a good business entity has not been enacted as yet. In this paper, domestic Service Quality evaluation and certification systems similar to a designation system of good business entity are analyzed in order to derive the specified criteria of a good business entity. That aside, changing the definition of senior citizens and the way of recognizing senior citizens can be considered as an improvement plan for the designation system of good business entity. Even though the definition of senior citizens is an essential part of senior–friendly industry, a definition clause about senior citizen isn't put in the Senior-friendly Industry Promotion Act. It is hoped that senior-friendly business entities will be able to secure a competitive advantage as a result of the enactment of the Ministry of Health and Welfare notification which supports the senior-friendly industry and possession of technology etc.