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S.E.A
THE NEW NORMAL
OF WORK IN ASEAN
COVID-19 has irreversibly changed how we work. Organisations are preparing their operations and staff for the future by accelerating the evolution of several workplace trends – not only to weather the current crisis, but also for the new normal.
DIGITALISATION
Digital transformation at workplaces isn’t new, but COVID-19 has accelerated it in full force. Today, more organisations in the region are implementing digitally connected workplaces.
REGIONAL TRENDS
40%
Of Southeast Asian businesses achieved more success from implementing remote or hybrid workplace arrangements.
75%
Of businesses in Southeast Asia plan to invest in an e-commerce platform.
60%
Of businesses in the region will prioritise customer experience in future digital offerings.
The Hitachi Way
Hitachi’s Lumada Center offers Cloud-based AI and data analytics solutions to help myriad business sectors digitally transform. These will help to support the creation of new digital services that can technologically enhance environmental, social and economic values of businesses.
Read moreREMOTE MANAGEMENT
Distancing measures are pushing organisations to manage operations remotely – not just for daily activities, but also for key hiring.
The Hitachi Way
Hitachi is enabling and enhancing remote operations for Southeast Asia’s key manufacturing economies.
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REGIONAL TRENDS
Job postings in Singapore featuring remote keywords (i.e., “work from home”) in descriptions reached a pandemic high during June 2021. Source
More companies in Malaysia are contracting professionals on new projects to facilitate remote working arrangements. Source
Major BPO companies in the Philippines are using virtual recruitment as their go-to hiring method. Source
TRANSFORMING OPERATIONS VIA ADVANCED INNOVATIONS
While advanced technologies were already being adopted by organisations to improve productivity before the pandemic, their use has since been ramping up.
The Hitachi Way
Hitachi subsidiary JR Automation is supporting enterprises in various industries with high-precision automation equipment.
Read moreREGIONAL TRENDS
The use of digital services is gaining traction in various sectors in Thailand, such as the medical, retail, and F&B sectors.Source
More AI technologies are being deployed in Vietnam, especially via chatbots and telemedicine solutions. Source
JR Automation has helped to automate the prescription medication dispensing process for a major public hospital in Singapore, leading to significant reductions in human error and waiting times so patients get the right medication quickly. Source
REGIONAL TRENDS
80%
Of employees in Southeast Asia now prefer more flexible remote working arrangements even after the pandemic.
9 in10
Of Southeast Asians want flexibility in terms of where and when they work.
60%
Of Southeast Asian employees would consider leaving their job if they are inflexible.
IMPROVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Remote working is blurring lines between professional and personal lives, so organisations are taking work-life balance more seriously by giving staff more agency in striking their own balance – mainly via more flexible working arrangements and improving staff morale via non-work-related team building activities during work.
The Hitachi Way
Hitachi in Singapore has been conducting virtual team-building activities to improve morale of staff working remotely.
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RAISING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Mental health issues at the workplace have always been a concern, especially in fast-growing markets such as Southeast Asia, but COVID-19 is drawing more
The Hitachi Way
Hitachi Vantara is providing its employees with key resources to help them address and improve their mental health.
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REGIONAL TRENDS
Multilateral and local organisations are collaborating to improve mental heath awareness between Indonesian youths.Source
Singaporean parliamentarians are advocating for the need to address mental health concerns between people working from home. Source
Leading financial institutions in Malaysia are investing in public hospitals to strengthen the healthcare system, including providing training for mental health and psychosocial support. Source
Date of Release: October 2021
