シマダ　ゴウ   SHIMADA GO   島田　剛    所属   明治大学  情報コミュニケーション学部    職種   専任教授
発表年月日	2018/07/03
発表テーマ	(Facilitator) Kaizen and Improving Firm Capability for Innovation
会議名	Africa Kaizen Annual Conference 2018
主催者	JICA, NEPAD and PAPA
学会区分	研究会・シンポジウム等
発表形式	シンポジウム・ワークショップ パネル（指名）
単独共同区分	共同
開催地名	Durban, South Africa
概要	1. Background In October2017, World bank published a book called “innovation paradox” introducing a concept of the “capability escalator” where firm capabilities develop from the basic production capabilities, then to technological adoption capability, and then to invention capabilities. In May 2018, World Development Forum published a report on “The Changing Nature of Work,” that argues implication of emerging new technology (AI, digitalization, robotics, etc.) to industries in Africa. However, under current circumstances, the majority of private firms in Africa performs limited labour productivity and enjoys few technological innovations. Improvement of firm capabilities is in urgent need to promote economic transformation in Africa. Kaizen is a tool and an approach that enhances firm capabilities. Regarding firm capability, Sutton (2012) defines capabilities as those elements of the production process that cannot be bought “off the shelf” on the market like a normal input and hence must be learned and accumulated by the firm. John Page (forthcoming) defines firm capabilities as, the knowledge and working practices used by firms in the course of production and in developing new products. He points out two dimension of capability which is productivity and quality. 2. Purpose: The panel discussion aims to understand the environment surrounding industries in Africa and why enhancing firm capability is important, focusing on contribution of Kaizen approach as well as possible policy options. 3. Members of the Panel Go Shimada, Associate Professor, Meiji University (Moderator) Hiroshi Osada, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology Norman Faull, Professor Emeritus, University of Cape Town, Founder of Lean Institute Africa Mothunye Mothiba, CEO, Productivity South Africa Gabriel Goddard, Lead Private Sector Specialist for the Southern Africa region, World Bank