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  • February 2022
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Sekisui House and the In-Home Early Detection Platform

By: John D. Macomber and Akiko Kanno
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:27
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Abstract

To address an aging population and sales declines, major Japanese homebuilder considers pivoting to provide and support an in-home health detection platform, in competition with tech companies. This case considers the point of view of major builders regarding how aggressively to adopt smart home technologies as the nature of demand changes and as they navigate the digitalization of a very traditional bricks and mortar industry. The company has to consider its core business of building and selling homes, which is now under pressure in Japan as the creation of new households is slowing and the population is aging. Should the company incorporate smart home components, particularly regarding health monitoring and early response to health crises, and establish an ongoing service relationship with the occupants? How will major building products manufacturers like Toto and Panasonic respond? Health insurance companies? Can the company's health detection service compete with voice recognition offerings like Alexa and Siri from Amazon and Apple? With respect to serving this aspect of an aging population, will expertise in the tangible real property aspects of homes be a stronger or weaker influence than digital services in this evolution of business and global society?

Keywords

Voice Assistants; Architecture; Smart Home; Aging Society; Digitalization; Real Estate; Home Automation; Sensors; Strategy; Digital Platforms; Health Care and Treatment; Housing; Age; Real Estate Industry; Construction Industry; Health Industry; Japan

Citation

Macomber, John D., and Akiko Kanno. "Sekisui House and the In-Home Early Detection Platform." Harvard Business School Case 222-070, February 2022.
  • Educators

About The Author

John D. Macomber

Finance
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • May 2023
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    Note on Corporate and Government Reskilling Efforts in Japan

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    • March 2023
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    Allianz Türkiye (C): Managing the 2017 Hail Storm

    By: John D. Macomber and Fares Khrais
    • March 2023
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    Allianz Türkiye (B): Adapting to a Changing World

    By: John D. Macomber and Fares Khrais
More from the Authors
  • Note on Corporate and Government Reskilling Efforts in Japan By: Christopher Stanton and Akiko Kanno
  • Allianz Türkiye (C): Managing the 2017 Hail Storm By: John D. Macomber and Fares Khrais
  • Allianz Türkiye (B): Adapting to a Changing World By: John D. Macomber and Fares Khrais
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