Will System and Free-Market Management
Since 2011, Disco Corporation has operated under a unique management system based on an internal currency called Will, which applies free-market principles to its organizational structure. Introduced by CEO Kazuma Sekiya, the Will system eliminates traditional hierarchical directives, allowing employees to choose tasks freely through a company app, bidding or bartering for opportunities using Will. Tasks range from technical work, such as testing semiconductor grinding tools, to administrative duties, like processing invoices, each assigned a Will value. Employees earn Will by completing tasks, which influences their quarterly bonuses, with high earners significantly boosting their income; in 2023, one employee earned over ¥59 million through Will accumulation.[6]
The system penalizes actions deemed costly to productivity, such as booking meeting rooms or smoking breaks, by deducting Will, and assumes an "existence cost" that places employees in a negative balance at the start of each month. Will is generated primarily through sales revenue, with approximately 400 million Will created per ¥1 billion in sales, distributed to incentivize tasks across departments. A dedicated team manages 772 penalty and 337 reward items, overseen by a Will Management Office. The system also includes a weekly "Coliseum" event, where employees pitch productivity improvements, with Will used to vote for winning ideas.[6]
Sekiya credits the Will system with improving business performance, employee engagement, and market share. Companies like Sony, Toyota, and Panasonic have studied the system, though none have adopted it, citing its radical departure from conventional management. Critics, including former employees, argue that Will fosters short-termism, as tasks with immediate revenue impact are prioritized, potentially undervaluing long-term innovation. Some liken it to a gamified control mechanism, with Sekiya’s ability to issue new Will and adjust rules raising concerns about autocratic influence. Economists note that Will, non-transferable outside Disco, functions more as an internal accounting tool than a true currency.[6]
