[Survey Report] Only 12.5% of Companies Have Adopted Motivation Management Systems, Nearly Half Say 'Unsure About Our Company's Status' — Survey on the Reality of Motivation Management Among 200 Employees and Business Owners

ProtoStar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Eimaru Maekawa), which champions support for challengers, announces the results of a survey titled 'Survey on the Actual Usage of Motivation Management Systems,' conducted through its operated SaaS comparison media 'Kigyolog SaaS.'

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Survey Background

As talent acquisition and retention become critical business issues, attention is growing toward 'motivation management systems' that visualize employee motivation and engagement. However, the actual adoption rate among companies and the resulting effectiveness and satisfaction levels have not been fully clarified.

The editorial team of 'Kigyolog SaaS' conducted an online survey targeting 200 employees and business owners nationwide, revealing insights ranging from factors that reduce motivation to system adoption status, selection criteria, post-adoption effects, and satisfaction levels.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on the Actual Usage of Motivation Management Systems

Target Audience: Employees and business owners nationwide

Method: Online survey (using QiQumo panel)

Survey Period: June 20–23, 2026

Valid Responses: 200 respondents (55.5% female, 44.5% male; 92.5% employees [regular staff and managers], 7.5% executives and officers; company sizes ranging from under 10 to over 1,000 employees)

Conducted by: Kigyolog SaaS Editorial Department (ProtoStar Co., Ltd.)

※ Satisfaction, effects, regrets, and word-of-mouth were calculated based on respondents who answered other than 'Not adopted / Don't know' for each question. The sample size (n) varies by question and includes respondents regardless of their current company's adoption status, differing from the self-adoption rate (12.5%).

Survey Results

1. Adoption rate is only 12.5% — nearly half say 'Unsure about our company's adoption status'

Only 12.5% (25 people) reported that their company has adopted a motivation management system. Combined with 'Considering adoption' (4.0%) and 'Previously adopted but discontinued' (0.5%), those with adoption or consideration experience total 17.0% (34 people). Meanwhile, 49.0% (98 people) said 'Unsure about our company's adoption status,' and 34.0% (68 people) said 'Not adopted and no plans to adopt,' indicating that the concept has not yet fully penetrated or been recognized within companies.

2. Only 28.0% are 'positive' about corporate adoption — 34.0% say 'neither'

Regarding corporate adoption of motivation management systems, the positive group — 'should actively adopt' and 'leaning toward adoption' — accounts for 28.0%. Meanwhile, 34.0% responded 'neither,' indicating that understanding of benefits and momentum for adoption are still in early stages.

3. Nearly half of workers experience motivation decline due to 'compensation and benefits' — followed by 'interpersonal relationships'

The most common factor (multiple responses) causing motivation decline among workers is 'dissatisfaction with salary and benefits' at 46.0%, followed by 'workplace interpersonal relationships' at 37.5%, 'lack of job fulfillment' at 20.5%, and 'dissatisfaction with personnel evaluations' at 20.0%. This shows that motivation decline stems from multifaceted factors beyond compensation, including relationships and perceived fairness in evaluations.

4. Top reason for adoption: 'Enhancing internal communication'

Among those involved in adoption or consideration (n=43), the most common reason or intended solution was 'enhancing internal communication' (32.6%). This was followed by 'declining employee engagement' and 'linking with personnel evaluation and talent data,' both at 30.2%, and 'high turnover rate and talent retention' at 23.3%. This indicates that systems are being considered not only for turnover prevention but also to improve organizational communication and engagement.

5. 'Ease of employee response' is prioritized over price in selection

When selecting or recommending a system, the most valued factor (multiple responses, up to three) was 'ease of employee response and low burden' at 39.0%. This was closely followed by 'proven track record, reputation, and reliability' at 38.5% and 'low cost and pricing' at 33.5%. This shows that ease of continued use by employees and proven reliability are prioritized over advanced functionality.

6. Post-adoption satisfaction is 31.0% — over half say 'neither'

Among 58 respondents who answered about satisfaction, the combined 'satisfied' and 'somewhat satisfied' totaled 31.0%. Meanwhile, 55.2% responded 'neither,' indicating that many companies have not fully established usage methods or operations, and thus have not fully realized benefits.

7. Top perceived effect after adoption: 'Improved productivity and work efficiency'

Among 58 respondents reporting effects, the most common was 'improved productivity and work efficiency' at 34.5%, followed by 'increased employee engagement' at 31.0% and 'reduced turnover and improved retention' at 29.3%. However, 17.2% said 'no particular effect was felt,' showing disparities in effectiveness realization.

8. Top regret or difficulty: 'Cost burden' at 37.5% — 'Unable to utilize data' at 29.2%

The most common difficulty or regret in adoption and operation (multiple responses, n=48) was 'high cost burden' at 37.5%, followed by 'unable to utilize collected data in initiatives' at 29.2%, and 'effects not as expected' and 'time-consuming operation and data aggregation,' both at 22.9%. This highlights operational challenges where systems are adopted but not fully utilized.

Voices from the Field (selected from open-ended responses)

'I think doing it is better than not, but it's meaningless if results aren't used effectively.' (Over 1,000 employees, regular staff)

'The result taught me that even with a system, it depends on how you use it.' (100–299 employees, executive)

'It reveals aspects that are usually invisible.' (Over 1,000 employees, manager)

'It helps visualize organizational and individual challenges. Having a tool to express opinions is good.' (100–299 employees, regular staff)

'The feeling of being monitored is strong, and I don't particularly like answering.' (300–999 employees, regular staff)

Kigyolog SaaS Editorial Department Comment

The survey reveals that motivation management systems are still in the early stages of adoption (12.5% adoption, nearly half unaware of their company's status), yet post-adoption satisfaction is only around 30%, with a majority saying 'neither' — indicating a 'adopt and forget' reality.

What separates satisfaction is product selection and operation. What is most valued is not advanced functionality but 'ease of employee response' (39.0%) and 'proven track record' (38.5%), while the top regret is 'cost burden' (37.5%) and 'inability to utilize data'