#Japan #Tokyo #Inner Resource #reprua #research efficiency

Understanding the Challenges of Corporate Researchers

Recent survey findings from Inner Resource, a Tokyo-based company specializing in research management solutions, highlight pressing challenges faced by corporate researchers. The survey, targeting 101 researchers in natural science fields from companies with a capital of over 500 million yen, reveals that nearly 90% of respondents prioritize research productivity. This article delves into the obstacles these researchers face and explores how digital transformation can help enhance their operations.

Research Productivity: A Key Concern

According to the survey results, an overwhelming 88.1% of the participating researchers indicated that their companies highly value the productivity of research output. Specifically, 47.5% reported that research productivity is "very highly emphasized" while 40.6% said it is "somewhat emphasized." This emphasis on productivity indicates a crucial direction for future investments and innovations within research departments.

Identifying Areas of Inefficiency

The survey also identified significant areas where researchers recognize inefficiencies within their operations. The most cited inefficient activities were meetings and discussions, which accounted for 60.4% of the responses, followed by experimental data management and procurement processes for research materials, both at 26.7%. It's clear that precious time is often consumed by activities that do not directly contribute to research outcomes.

Impact of DX on Procurement Processes

The survey discusses the anticipated benefits of implementing digital transformation in procurement processes for research supplies. Close to half of the researchers (48.8%) expressed a strong interest in streamlining the ordering and approval processes. Additionally, 44.2% of researchers hope for a reduction in purchasing costs by digitizing procurement workflows. By alleviating the burden of these administrative tasks, researchers can redirect their focus toward more critical research activities.

The Constraints on Research Performance

Another key finding from the survey is the recognition of constraints on research performance. A staggering 75.2% of researchers indicated that human resources are a primary constraint, while 74.3% identified financial resources as a significant limitation. Time management, another crucial factor, was flagged by 69.2%. These constraints highlight an urgent need for efficiency-promoting strategies within research environments.

The Value of Effective Time Management

When faced with limitations in research time, respondents identified activities they had to sacrifice to make room for essential research tasks. The top activities sacrificed included securing research funding (44.6%) and conceptualizing new research themes (35.6%). Balancing these responsibilities is challenging, and researchers feel pressured to minimize time spent on less productive endeavors.

Introducing reprua: A Solution for the Future

In response to these identified challenges, Inner Resource has introduced the procurement and inventory management service known as reprua. Designed specifically for researchers, reprua aims to digitize tedious procurement processes, facilitating easier order placement, approval transactions, and overall supply management within research labs. The service promises to streamline operations significantly and improve efficiency.

Key Features of reprua:

1. Streamlined Purchasing Operations: Centralizes quotes, orders, and invoices, making the process seamless.
2. Simplified Approval Processes: Offers an intuitive interface that makes operations easy for all users.
3. Enhanced Budget Management: Improves cost control through optimized purchasing information sharing.

Conclusion

This investigation into the state of corporate research highlights the urgent need to address inefficiencies found in time management, procurement, and resource allocation. With nearly 90% of researchers underscoring productivity as a priority, implementing solutions like reprua can alleviate the pressures facing corporate researchers today. By investing in technological enhancements that reduce administrative burdens, companies can foster an environment where researchers can thrive and focus on generating impactful results. To view the complete survey details and findings, please visit Inner Resource.

For more information about reprua, visit their official website: reprua.jp.