Manufacturing & Logistics Survey: 59.2% of Management Favor Systemization, Yet 75.7% Gap Remains Due to Persistent Individualization; Over 90% Recognize Need for AI/DX Training
Gourika Co., Ltd. conducted a survey on productivity in the manufacturing and logistics sectors, revealing a significant gap between management's desire for system-based solutions and the reality of work being concentrated on specific individuals (individualization).
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 18:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (5h 5m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 06:27 (6h 25m after Collected)
Against the backdrop of labor shortages, operational efficiency has become an urgent management issue in the manufacturing and logistics industries. Gourika Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Kensuke Okamoto), which aims to improve business productivity in Japan under the vision 'Empowering the world through human-centric rationalization,' conducted a 'Survey on Time Usage and Productivity' targeting business professionals at large Japanese corporations (1,000+ employees).
The survey revealed a gap in the manufacturing and logistics industries between the desire for systemization/outsourcing of 'specialized routine tasks' and the actual concentration of work.
Specifically, 59.2% of executives and department heads in these sectors supported 'systemization' to reduce specialized routine tasks, exceeding the overall average (56.3%). Furthermore, interest in 'outsourcing' (76.7%) and 'AI adoption' (89.3%) reached high levels, indicating a strong preference for system-based solutions.
However, 75.7% of management in manufacturing and logistics felt that 'specialized routine tasks are concentrated on specific people,' highlighting the persistence of individualization (substantiating dependencies on specific staff) in the field. This suggests a gap between management's ideals and the reality on the ground.
### Key Findings
* **Management Strongly Favors 'Systemic Solutions'**
59.2% of manufacturing/logistics management support systemization to reduce specialized routine tasks, surpassing the overall average of 56.3%.
* **High Acceptance of Outsourcing**
81.6% of management in these sectors find outsourcing to external experts or tools 'rational,' exceeding the general management average of 77.3%.
* **Persistent Individualization (Dependencies)**
67.4% in the industry answered that work is concentrated on specific individuals. This rises to 75.7% among management, while 60.4% of general employees also feel this concentration. Despite the push for systemization, field-level dependency remains.
* **High Willingness for DX/AI Learning**
91.3% of manufacturing/logistics management recognize the need for reskilling in DX tools, higher than the overall average of 86.7%. This reflects the manufacturing culture's emphasis on continuous quality and productivity improvement.
### Detailed Analysis
1. **Work Hour Breakdown**: Core tasks account for 47.1% in manufacturing/logistics, slightly lower than the overall average (48.8%). Non-core tasks exceed 50%, limiting the time available for essential business activities.
2. **Systemization Preference**: While managers favor systems (59.2%), 53.7% of general employees still prefer 'individual handling,' showing that those closer to the field tend to rely on personal ingenuity.
3. **External Resource Utilization**: Management shows high rationality in using external resources to bridge gaps in productivity.
The survey revealed a gap in the manufacturing and logistics industries between the desire for systemization/outsourcing of 'specialized routine tasks' and the actual concentration of work.
Specifically, 59.2% of executives and department heads in these sectors supported 'systemization' to reduce specialized routine tasks, exceeding the overall average (56.3%). Furthermore, interest in 'outsourcing' (76.7%) and 'AI adoption' (89.3%) reached high levels, indicating a strong preference for system-based solutions.
However, 75.7% of management in manufacturing and logistics felt that 'specialized routine tasks are concentrated on specific people,' highlighting the persistence of individualization (substantiating dependencies on specific staff) in the field. This suggests a gap between management's ideals and the reality on the ground.
### Key Findings
* **Management Strongly Favors 'Systemic Solutions'**
59.2% of manufacturing/logistics management support systemization to reduce specialized routine tasks, surpassing the overall average of 56.3%.
* **High Acceptance of Outsourcing**
81.6% of management in these sectors find outsourcing to external experts or tools 'rational,' exceeding the general management average of 77.3%.
* **Persistent Individualization (Dependencies)**
67.4% in the industry answered that work is concentrated on specific individuals. This rises to 75.7% among management, while 60.4% of general employees also feel this concentration. Despite the push for systemization, field-level dependency remains.
* **High Willingness for DX/AI Learning**
91.3% of manufacturing/logistics management recognize the need for reskilling in DX tools, higher than the overall average of 86.7%. This reflects the manufacturing culture's emphasis on continuous quality and productivity improvement.
### Detailed Analysis
1. **Work Hour Breakdown**: Core tasks account for 47.1% in manufacturing/logistics, slightly lower than the overall average (48.8%). Non-core tasks exceed 50%, limiting the time available for essential business activities.
2. **Systemization Preference**: While managers favor systems (59.2%), 53.7% of general employees still prefer 'individual handling,' showing that those closer to the field tend to rely on personal ingenuity.
3. **External Resource Utilization**: Management shows high rationality in using external resources to bridge gaps in productivity.