CASE STUDY
An in-depth description of a firm’s approach to an IT management issue (intended for MBA and executive education)
Working Paper: Case Study
Digital Innovation at Toyota Motor North America: Revamping the Role of IT
This case study reviews how Toyota’s IT unit established credibility for its efforts and fostered enthusiasm for digital innovation in the company.
Abstract
Recognizing that digital was changing the landscape for automobile manufacturers, the IT unit at Toyota Motor North America took a leadership role in introducing digital innovation into the company’s products and services. To instill a culture of innovation—beyond Toyota’s longstanding Kaizen practices—IT leaders first encouraged innovation within IT. As those efforts blossomed, the IT unit was able to reach out to other parts of the company. Toyota wanted to be ready to seize the opportunities presented by such diverse technological developments as autonomous driving, social analytics, and the Internet of Things. This case reviews the process by which the IT unit established credibility for its efforts and fostered enthusiasm for digital innovation throughout the company.
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MIT CENTER FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH (CISR)
Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our consortium forms a global community that comprises more than seventy-five organizations.
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