Business Research Lab Releases 2025 Edition of HR Data White Paper

Business Research Lab Unveils 2025 HR Data White Paper

The Business Research Lab, located in Meguro-ku, Tokyo, led by CEO Hiroshi Date, has officially released the 2025 edition of its HR Data White Paper: "The Current State and Future of Data Utilization in Japanese Companies."

This white paper aims to provide a multi-dimensional analysis of HR data utilization based on a survey conducted with HR professionals across the nation. Its goal is to highlight both structural challenges and the success factors that organizations face in optimizing their human capital.

Background

In today’s corporate landscape, optimizing human resources—considered as the most critical asset—has emerged as a central management issue. As expectations for HR data utilization continue to rise, many companies struggle with various challenges in implementation.

Key Findings of the White Paper

The analysis reveals that, apart from a few leading companies, most Japanese corporations are currently in a transitional phase regarding HR data utilization and have not fully leveraged data strategically. While many organizations have successfully integrated data for labor management tasks, such as payroll and attendance tracking, they are now in a critical phase of transitioning this data toward future-oriented applications like talent development and organizational growth.

A common theme among many organizations is the shortage of analytical skills and expertise required for effective data utilization.

Impact of People and Organizational Maturity

The success or failure of data utilization is more heavily influenced by the analytical skills of the individuals handling the data and the maturity of the organization itself in accepting data-driven dialogues, rather than just the availability of technology and tools.

Varied Approaches to Data Utilization

The white paper categorizes companies into four groups based on their approach to data utilization: "Not Utilized," "Exploring Resistance, ""Active Utilization, " and "Active Resistance." Each category encounters unique challenges.

Additionally, the white paper explores differences in HR data utilization across industries and company sizes, identifying essential skills for HR professionals and summarizing specific success or failure cases related to data usage.

The hope is that this report will assist practitioners in the HR field, academia, and company executives to understand the current landscape and engage in constructive dialogue towards the future of HR data utilization.

Structure of the White Paper

Part I: Understanding the Current State of Data Utilization

1. Current State of HR Data Utilization
2. Diverse Forms of HR Data Utilization by Industry
3. Evolution of HR Data Utilization by Employee Size
4. HR Data Utilization by Organizational Structure
5. Progression of Data Utilization by HR Staff Size
6. Current State and Future Vision of Data Utilization by Investment Plans

Part II: Analyzing Factors Influencing Data Utilization

7. Structural Insights for Successful HR Data Utilization from Correlation Analysis
8. Factors Differentiating Data Utilization Success from Multiple Regression Analysis
9. Integrated Analysis through Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling
10. Classification of Data Utilization Types Based on Latent Profile Analysis

Conclusion: A Vision Beyond the Transitional Phase

Additional Insights

The document includes author comments and an appendix detailing the method for downloading the full white paper. The complete white paper is available in PDF format and can be accessed via the provided link.

About Business Research Lab

The Business Research Lab provides organizational surveys and HR data analysis with a concept of "Academic Research" primarily serving HR departments.