In a survey of growth-oriented companies, AI and DX, securing and developing talent, and new businesses emerged as the leading management challenges for 2030. AI and DX, new businesses and services, and expansion of existing businesses were closely tied as the areas in which companies planned to increase investment the most in 2027.
Of managers and executives aiming to achieve growth over the next 3 years, 64.1% responded, and the 2030 management agenda and 2027 investment intentions of 411 growth-oriented people were analyzed. The promotion of AI and DX was the most important challenge at 38.2%, followed by securing and developing talent at 36.7%, new businesses and business portfolio transformation at 33.8%, and growth of existing businesses at 31.1%, with multiple areas ranking highly.
The areas in which investment would be increased as the highest priority in 2027 were closely tied, with AI and DX at 19.0%, new businesses and services at 18.7%, and expansion of existing businesses at 17.0%. Growth-oriented companies showed an intention to increase investment across multiple areas, with only small differences between areas.
In the overall results for areas where investment would be increased, expansion of existing businesses ranked first at 56.0%, while an intention to increase investment was also seen across multiple areas, including AI and DX, new businesses and services, marketing and customer acquisition, and talent development and recruitment. Among those whose revenue and operating profit both increased, 92.3% selected investment areas, indicating a possible relationship between business performance and investment intentions.
This was an online survey of employed people in their 20s to 60s nationwide. There were 13,201 screening respondents, 660 collected responses and 641 valid responses. The survey was conducted from 18 to 19 September 2026. Details including the survey method, eligibility criteria and number of questions are provided at the end of the release.