Adopting and Adapting Innovation in Japan's Digital Transformation

Description

This book explores how the business transformation taking place in Japan is influenced by the digital revolution. The chapters present approaches and examples from sectors commonly understood to be visible arenas of digital transformation―3D printing and mobility, for instance―as well as some from not-so-obvious sectors, such as retail, services, and fintech. Business today is facing unprecedented change especially due to the adoption of new, digital technologies, with a noticeable transformation of manufacturing and services. The changes have been brought by advanced robotics, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and digital networks that are growing in size and capability as the number of connected devices explodes. In addition, there are advanced manufacturing and collaborative connected platforms, including machine-to-machine communications. Adoption of digital technology has caused process disruptions in both the manufacturing and services sectors and led to new business models and new products.   While examining the preparedness of the Japanese economy to embrace these changes, the book explores the impact of digitally influenced changes on some selected sectors from a Japanese perspective. It paints a big picture in explaining how a previously manufacturing-centric, successful economy adopts change to retain and rebuild success in the global environment. Japan as a whole is embracing, yet also avoiding―innovating but also restricting―various forms of digitalization of life and work. The book, with its 12 chapters, is a collaborative effort of individuals contributing diverse points of view as technologists, academics, and managers. Preface Reviewers Contents Editors and Contributors Part I Introduction 1 Digital Transformation of Business in Japan 1.1 Introduction 1.2 A Brief Look at Key Literature 1.3 Discussion 1.3.1 Motivations 1.3.2 Barriers 1.4 The Research 1.4.1 Strategy 1.4.2 Organization 1.4.3 Technology and Innovation 1.4.4 Human Resources 1.4.5 External Pressures from Society and Business Partners 1.5 Concluding Remarks References Part II Strategy 2 Digital Platform for Improving Development Efficiency and Profitability of Robot System Integrators 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Background 2.2.1 Market Trends of Industrial Robots and Robot System Integrators 2.2.2 Literature Review 2.3 Problem Analysis of Robot System Integrators 2.3.1 Research 2.3.2 Issues Associated with Receiving Orders 2.3.3 Issues in Development of Robot Systems 2.3.4 Summary 2.4 Development of DX System for Robot SIer Business 2.4.1 Analysis of the Issues 2.4.2 Countermeasures for Upstream Process in Robot System Development 2.4.3 Proposal for the DX System: Mechanism and Countermeasures 2.5 Development of DX System for Problem-Solving Measures 2.6 Conclusion References Part III Organization 3 Quality Fintech in the Context of the Japanese Main Bank System 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Theorizing Quality Fintech for Japan’s Main Bank System 3.2.1 Diffusion of Fintech 3.2.2 Cultural Compatibility of Fintech 3.2.3 Legal Landscape for Fintech Development 3.3 Country-Specific Business Purposes 3.3.1 Economy Level 3.3.2 Institution Level 3.3.3 Individual Level 3.4 Case Illustrations 3.4.1 Case 1 3.4.2 Case 2 3.4.3 Case 3 3.5 Discussions 3.5.1 Cultural Compatibility as a Success Factor 3.5.2 Japanese Way of Fintech Development 3.5.3 Relevance with Literature 3.6 Conclusions References 4 Incremental Digital Transformation in Finance: Creating an Unstoppable DX Ratchet 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Literature Review 4.2.1 Antecedents to DX 4.2.2 Barriers to Digitalization 4.2.3 Path Dependence in Banking 4.3 Methodology 4.4 Overview of the Case 4.4.1 Inside the Firm 4.4.2 Outside the Firm 4.5 Findings and Discussion 4.5.1 Antecedents 4.5.2 Barriers 4.5.3 Lessons 4.5.4 Limitations 4.6 Conclusions 4.6.1 The Verdict on Success References Part IV Technology and Innovation 5 DX and Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with Prototype and Small-Lot Production 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Digitalization Trends in Manufacturing Supply Chain 5.3 Examples of Companies Working on Upgrading Their Manufacturing and Processing Systems 5.3.1 CADDi Inc. 5.3.2 Team Cross FA (Consortium) 5.3.3 ARUM Inc. 5.4 Discussion 5.5 Conclusion References 6 Perceived Quality and Quality Inspection in the Light of Automotive Mobility’s Digital Transformation—A Perspective of Car Importers in Japan 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Automotive Mobility DX 6.2.1 Automotive Quality Management and Control in the Context of DX 6.3 Quality Inspection and Perceived Quality in the Case of Japanese Car Importers 6.3.1 Current Quality Control and Inspection Process of Car Importers 6.3.2 Perceived Quality of Imported Cars in Japan 6.4 Implications on Business Model Development 6.4.1 Product/service 6.4.2 Value Network 6.4.3 Value Delivery 6.4.4 Revenue Model 6.4.5 Information Flow 6.5 Conclusions, Limitations, and Future Research References 7 Carbon Neutrality and Carbon Footprint (CFP) Assessment Business 7.1 Introduction 7.2 CDP Scoring and CO2 Emissions Calculation and Visualization Efforts 7.2.1 Carbon Tracing and the Bloockchain 7.2.2 Cloud Services for Visualization and Calculation Systems 7.2.3 Third-Party Verification Systems for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions 7.3 Cases of Consulting Organizations 7.3.1 WasteBox Co., Ltd. 7.3.2 Sustainable Management Promotion Organization (SuMPO) 7.3.3 Zeroboard Inc. 7.4 Discussion 7.5 Conclusion References 8 Digital Transformation and the Evolution of the Additive Manufacturing Business 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Previous Studies 8.3 Case Study on AM User 8.3.1 Service Bureau 8.3.2 Solution Provider 8.4 Discussion 8.5 Summary References Part V Human Resources 9 Digital Transformation in Japan: Potential in Human Resources 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Key Statistics of Japan’s Digital Advancement 9.3 Literature Review 9.4 Digital Culture and the Main Characteristics of Japanese Business Culture 9.5 Traditional Practices and Attitudes versus Reskilling for DX 9.6 Digitalization in Workplaces 9.7 Concluding Remarks References 10 Digital Transformation, Leadership, and Gender Equality: Are They Related? 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Background and Related Literature 10.2.1 Digital Transformation and Leadership 10.2.2 Women, Leadership, and Digital Transformation 10.2.3 Women in Japanese Firms 10.2.4 Digital Transformation in Japanese Firms 10.3 Digital Transformation, Leadership and Gender: The Conceptual Framework 10.4 Data and Methodology 10.4.1 Data 10.4.2 The Econometric Model 10.5 Results 10.5.1 Descriptive Summary 10.5.2 Regression Analysis Results 10.6 Discussion 10.7 Conclusion References Part VI External Pressures from Society and Business Partners 11 Demography and Digital Transformation in Japan 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Japan Trends 11.3 Japan Competitiveness 11.4 Japan Digital 11.5 Demography and Digital Transformation 11.5.1 Demographics and Psychographics 11.5.2 Personality and Age 11.6 Decision-Making and Leadership Challenges 11.6.1 Digital Transformation and Japanese Management Culture 11.6.2 Demography and Decision-Making 11.6.3 Incrementalism and Transformation 11.7 Conclusion References 12 More Than a Certification Scheme: Information Banks in Japan Under Changing Norms of Data Usage 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Approach 12.3 Until 2012: Emergence of the Information Bank Concept 12.3.1 Early Big Data Usage in Japan 12.3.2 Shibasaki Ryōsuke’s Information Bank 12.3.3 Tradition of Treating Information as an Asset 12.4 2013–2019: Formalization Among the Need for More Privacy and the Requirement for More Circulation 12.4.1 Heightened Awareness Regarding Privacy Following the Snowden Leaks 12.4.2 Reflecting International Trends Towards Privacy Protection 12.4.3 National Strategy Towards More Data Circulation 12.4.4 Perception of Continuity 12.5 Since 2020: New Momentum Following the COVID-19 Pandemic 12.5.1 Regional Information Banks 12.5.2 Medical Information Banks 12.6 Discussion 12.7 Conclusion References