硬直化(こうちょくか)

こうちょくか
noun, suru verb
rigidity; becoming inflexible
1. rigidity; becoming inflexible; ossification
the process of becoming rigid, inflexible, or unable to adapt, often applied to organizations, systems, or thinking
組織(そしき)の硬直化(こうちょくか)を防(ふせ)ぐ。
To prevent organizational rigidity.
思考(しこう)が硬直化(こうちょくか)している。
Thinking has become rigid.
制度(せいど)の硬直化(こうちょくか)が問題視(もんだいし)されている。
The rigidity of the system is being criticized.

硬直化(こうちょくか) describes loss of flexibility and adaptability.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 硬(こう) (hard, stiff)
  • 直(ちょく) (straight, direct)
  • 化(か) (-ization)

COMMON CONTEXTS:

  • 組織(そしき)の硬直化(こうちょくか) (organizational rigidity)
  • 思考(しこう)の硬直化(こうちょくか) (rigid thinking)
  • 制度(せいど)の硬直化(こうちょくか) (institutional rigidity)
  • 人事(じんじ)の硬直化(こうちょくか) (rigid personnel practices)

USAGE:

  • 硬直化(こうちょくか)する (to become rigid - suru verb)
  • 硬直化(こうちょくか)した (rigid, ossified)

NOTE:
Typically used with negative connotation to describe organizations or systems that have lost the ability to adapt to change.

RELATED TERMS:

  • 柔軟性(じゅうなんせい) (flexibility - opposite quality)
  • 官僚的(かんりょうてき) (bureaucratic)
general
Added 2026.1.25 9:32 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08000/08026_kouchokuka