From the Director

About the Institute

From the Director

The Director: KANNO Hiroshi Professor

A significant shift in the business paradigm is underway, driven by factors such as escalating geopolitical tensions, evolving approaches to environmental challenges, and the rapid advancement of generative AI. Today’s business management must embrace new possibilities without being bound by the past, prepare for both the opportunities and risks that come with this paradigm shift, and remain flexible in navigating increasingly diverse values.

The Institute for Business and Finance (WBF), together with Waseda Business School (WBS), has long provided extensive education, training programs, and research initiatives to serve as a hub for the creation and dissemination of practical wisdom that guides businesses in an increasingly uncertain world.

Our activities currently operate on two main pillars: MBA education, which welcomes young professionals aiming to become the next generation of business leaders; and executive education, which equips today’s senior executives with actionable knowledge and strategic insights. As a key player in executive education, the Institute for Business and Finance offers opportunities to engage in cutting-edge learning tailored to the needs of top decision-makers.

We also promote world-class research in the fields of business and finance by encouraging collaboration among Waseda University researchers, scholars from other domestic and international institutions, and business practitioners. Research outcomes are first shared through working papers and bulletins, and later published as academic papers in scholarly journals, business magazines, or in book form. Through the publication and dissemination of impactful research findings, we aim to contribute meaningfully to society by influencing real-world business decisions and public policy-making.

We hope that our ongoing initiatives—combined with a wide range of research and publication efforts conducted in collaboration with Waseda Business School—will continue to support the advancement of business practices in Japan and around the world.

Profile

KANNO Hiroshi
Professor of Graduate School of Business and Finance (Waseda Business School)

Hiroshi Kanno received his Bachelor and Master of Engineering and Architecture degrees from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Master of Science in Industrial Administration degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Professor Kanno worked in consulting services at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for 17 years. His last position at BCG was Partner and Managing Director, where he served as the Asia/Pacific regional leader of BCG’s Technology and Communications practice. At BCG, Professor Kanno executed over 300 projects, working closely with both Japanese and non-Japanese companies. Prior to BCG, Professor Kanno worked as an architect, city planner, and engineer for Nikken Sekkei, Japan’s largest architecture and city planning firm. Hiroshi Kanno serves as outside board member of major Japanese companies, including Omron Healthcare, WOWOW, Japan Display and MODEC.

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