IBM Announces Survey on Correlation Between Data and Corporate Competitiveness
Targeting Approximately 13,500 C-Level Executives Worldwide
Korean Leading Companies 87% Plan Large-Scale AI Investment


Companies that prioritize trust when utilizing customer data are showing greater potential for market success.

On the 11th, IBM announced through its 'IBM C-suite Study' conducted with approximately 13,500 C-level executives worldwide, including Korea, that when companies receive high trust from customers, employees, and ecosystem partners regarding data, they can establish more solid market competitiveness.

This research, conducted under the theme 'Build Your Trust Advantage,' revealed correlations between companies that place importance on trust in data utilization and sharing and those that do not, demonstrating differences in performance outcomes.

The leading 'innovation group' that creates value from data and builds competitive advantage represented 9% of all global respondents. This group demonstrated clear understanding that transparency, reciprocity, and accountability are key elements in building trust in data utilization and processing.

Additionally, they are securing customer trust through data and fostering a data-driven decision-making culture. Along with this, they are actively sharing data with ecosystem partners while pursuing strategies to realize revenue from data. As a result, companies in this group showed up to 165% higher revenue growth rates and 163% higher profitability compared to other companies.

The report presented the following guidelines on how companies can establish trust-based competitive advantage.

First, they must strengthen customer relationships by demonstrating transparency through reliable personal information management and data disclosure regarding products, services, and workflows. Additionally, they should build trust in data and AI models across the organization and form a data-driven decision-making culture.

Finally, they must learn how to share data while maintaining competitive advantage in business platforms. Rather than limiting efforts to data collection, they should explore optimal monetization strategies, including creating ecosystems that generate new value.


Domestic Innovation Group Lacking Creative Data Utilization
In a survey with participation from C-level executives of domestic companies with over 200 employees, 15% of respondents were found to belong to the 'innovation group,' revealing that Korean corporate executives have higher awareness of the importance of data and trust compared to global counterparts.

In particular, 87% of Korea's innovation group indicated they are planning large-scale investments in AI and machine learning over the next 2-3 years. This shows that leading companies view AI and machine learning as core means for maximizing data value, compared to the lagging group where only 43% indicated investment plans. This rate is also higher than the global innovation group, which expressed investment plans at 72%.

Regarding governance for collecting, utilizing, and sharing data, 87% of Korea's innovation group answered they are maintaining it well, showing higher confidence compared to the global innovation group, where 69% responded positively.

In particular, Korean C-level executives identified personal information protection as the top priority needed for companies to gain competitiveness within the next 2-3 years, showing much greater awareness of personal information protection issues than global companies.

However, Korea's innovation group showed insufficient data utilization compared to global innovation groups in addressing previously undiscovered customer requirements (Korea 63%, worldwide 71%), developing new business models (Korea 57%, worldwide 70%), or entering new markets (Korea 60%, worldwide 66%).