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Ken Kusunoki
Professor, Hitotsubashi ICS
Speaker Bio
Born in Tokyo in 1964, Ken Kusunoki is a Specially Appointed Professor of Competitive Strategy at the Hitotsubashi Business School (PDS-Endowed Course). He specializes in the logic by which companies build sustainable competitive advantage. After earning his master’s degree from Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School of Commerce, he held positions as Lecturer and Associate Professor at Hitotsubashi University, Visiting Professor at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, and Professor at Hitotsubashi Business School. He assumed his current post in 2023. His books include Management Reading Record: Public and Private* (2023, Nikkei Business Publications), Absolute Pessimism* (2022, Kodansha +α Shinsho), Reverse Time Machine Management Theory* (co-authored, 2020, Nikkei BP), and Competitive Strategy as Story: The Conditions for Superior Strategy* (2010, Toyo Keizai Inc.).
*Only available in Japanese.
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*Only available in Japanese.
Session
Wednesday, 29 October, 2025 11:10 AM - 11:55 AM JST
Guest Keynote: Competitive Strategy as a Story
Ken Kusunoki,
Professor, Hitotsubashi ICS,
Companies that achieve great success and manage to sustain it over an extended period of time have certain things in common.
Modern business strategy cannot be explained by logical analysis and meticulous planning alone.
This is because successful companies have a compelling “story” that resonates with people.
Strategy is not something created out of obligation; rather, it brings to life a narrative that people can’t help but want to share.
In this session, I will present case studies that reveal how successful companies have built their unique stories and leveraged them to outperform their competition.
I hope this session will offer valuable insights and inspiration for executives and business professionals seeking new approaches to strategy. ... Show More Show Less
Modern business strategy cannot be explained by logical analysis and meticulous planning alone.
This is because successful companies have a compelling “story” that resonates with people.
Strategy is not something created out of obligation; rather, it brings to life a narrative that people can’t help but want to share.
In this session, I will present case studies that reveal how successful companies have built their unique stories and leveraged them to outperform their competition.
I hope this session will offer valuable insights and inspiration for executives and business professionals seeking new approaches to strategy. ... Show More Show Less