Growth of the Japanese manufacturing industry, throughout the 80s and 90s, was realized by enduring innovation processes, in which large diversified firms had persistently invested in projects surrounded by significant uncertainty. What mechanism enabled this innovative endeavor in Japanese firms? What does this tell us about the challenges to pursue innovative activities today? How can these challenges be overcome?

Yaichi Aoshima is Professor and Director of the Institute of Innovation Research at Hitotsubashi University. His research interests include the management of innovation and new product development, focusing on the justification processes of mobilizing resources for innovation, and co-evolution of industry, technology, and firm capabilities. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from MIT Sloan School.

Moderator: Marie Söderberg, Professor and Director, European Institute of Japanese Studies, Stockholm School of Economics

Discussant: Ryoko Kondo,New Business Development, Stockholm Liaison Representative, Mitsubishi Corporation