University of Sydney EMBA program explores Japanese Digital Transformation

This past week, NUCB Business School had the privilege of hosting a distinguished group from the University of Sydney for a week-long study tour titled "Leading Change: Innovation and Culture in Japan." The group consisted of 23 Executive MBA students—each representing senior leadership roles across a range of industries and organizations, including Westpac, Medtronic, and Expedia Group. Their collective experience brought rich perspective to every session. The program was further elevated by the leadership of MIT Center for Information Systems Research (CISR) researchers Dr. Nils Fonstad and Dr. Kristine Dery, whose expertise added analytical depth to the week’s discussions.

The tour opened with a visit to Alpen Group, where Mr. Hiroshi Nakamura, Director of Alpen University, spoke on the challenges and innovations accompanying a leadership handover between generations. His talk shed light on evolving talent strategies and the shift away from traditional employment norms. On the second day, participants visited Denso Takatana, a core manufacturing site of the global automotive supplier, where they explored cutting-edge developments in smart mobility and sustainability. That afternoon, the group toured Matsumoto Gishi, a leader in prosthetics and orthotics, and gained valuable insight into how human-centered innovation and artisanal precision are transforming mobility solutions.

The final company visit, to Aichi Dobby, highlighted the powerful role of legacy and resilience in Japanese business. Participants learned how the third-generation Hijikata brothers navigated industry decline by reinventing their family’s manufacturing heritage into the globally recognized Vermicular cookware brand. The session demonstrated how craftsmanship, branding, and entrepreneurial adaptability come together to drive long-term growth in a competitive consumer market.

Academic sessions at NUCB Business School complemented these field experiences. Professor Lian Liu led a session on Japan’s Economy and Regional Market Trends, contextualizing Japan's current business environment within the broader Asia-Pacific region. Professor Hoe Chin Goi guided participants through Design Thinking exercises to develop innovative and scalable approaches to challenges faced by the organizations they visited. Together, the visits and lectures created a cohesive and impactful program, empowering participants to explore how culture, innovation, and leadership intersect in the Japanese business context.