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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.
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About The Author

John D. Macomber

Finance
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    Katitas: Home Ownership for the Majority of Japan

    By: Michael Chu, Akiko Kanno and Nobuo Sato
    • 2022
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    The First Four Healthy Building Strategies Every Building Should Pursue to Reduce Risk from COVID-19

    By: Joseph G. Allen, Emily Jones, Marissa V. Rainbolt, Linsey C. Marr, David Michaels, Leslie R. Cadet, Shelly L. Miller, Meira Levinson, Lidia Morawska, Richard L. Corsi, Nira R. Pollock, Yuguo Li, Alasdair P.S. Munro, Kelly Grier, Qingyan Chen, John D. Macomber and Xiaodong Cao
More from the Authors
  • Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Can Make You Sick—or Keep You Well By: Joseph G. Allen and John D. Macomber
  • Katitas: Home Ownership for the Majority of Japan By: Michael Chu, Akiko Kanno and Nobuo Sato
  • The First Four Healthy Building Strategies Every Building Should Pursue to Reduce Risk from COVID-19 By: Joseph G. Allen, Emily Jones, Marissa V. Rainbolt, Linsey C. Marr, David Michaels, Leslie R. Cadet, Shelly L. Miller, Meira Levinson, Lidia Morawska, Richard L. Corsi, Nira R. Pollock, Yuguo Li, Alasdair P.S. Munro, Kelly Grier, Qingyan Chen, John D. Macomber and Xiaodong Cao
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