The Logic of DX Inhibition

Abstract

In recent years, the Digital Transformation (DX) promoted by the Japanese government has not progressed as expected, leading to the emergence of the term "DX fatigue." Many companies have been struggling with DX initiatives, finding it difficult to achieve the desired outcomes. While there has been some technological progress with cloud computing, AI, and IoT, successfully implementing DX, which includes transforming organizations and businesses, requires proper management. This special issue reviews the current state of DX in Japanese companies and brings together experts from various fields to discuss the factors hindering DX, the mechanisms behind these challenges, and potential solutions. Of the five papers included in this issue, three focus on the issues of DX and corporate management. The remaining two papers address critical challenges related to AI technology and the innovation ecosystem driven by industry-academia collaboration, making them noteworthy for both businesses and policymakers. These papers collectively provide a structured analysis of the challenges and solutions for advancing DX, offering valuable insights for both practical application and further research.