Dramatic Productivity Improvements through AI in a Minimal-Budget Organization: A Case Study of a Minor Sport’s National Governing Body in Japan (Japanese)

This study investigates the potential and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in an organization with extremely limited financial and human resources, exemplified by the Japan Korfball Association (JKA). Despite operating on an annual budget of just 300,000 yen and overseeing a sport with only around 1,000 active participants, the JKA must fulfill strict compliance requirements akin to those expected of major corporations. Through a participant observation case study, we analyzed JKA’s work processes and organizational performance before and after AI implementation. Two highly cost-effective AI tools—Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Perplexity Pro—were strategically selected to address various organizational needs. The findings reveal five notable outcomes: Significant Improvement in Operational Efficiency: Major tasks experienced an average time reduction of approximately 90%. Dramatic Reduction in Human Error: For instance, typographical and clerical mistakes decreased by 98%, enhancing organizational credibility. Greater Focus on Strategic Tasks: Freed-up resources enabled an increase in new project proposals and more strategic initiatives. Rapid Development of New Services: AI-assisted coding cut app development times from weeks to mere hours, achieving over 99% in time savings. Organizational Ripple Effects: News postings increased by a factor of ten, signaling a broader revitalization of communication and outreach. These outcomes underscore AI’s remarkable capacity to boost operational efficiency and energize organizations burdened by resource constraints. Equally crucial is the delineation of appropriate responsibilities between AI and human staff: AI excels at routine or analytic tasks, while human members concentrate on strategic planning and creative activities. This study provides a practical model for resource-limited entities, including small and medium-sized enterprises, demonstrating how low-cost, high-impact AI solutions can foster sustainable growth and robust organizational performance.