Knauss Faculty Advance Global Research and Collaboration on Japan Trip

The University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business and the Ahlers Center for International Business are proud to highlight the successful conclusion of an international research trip to Japan by faculty members Robert Eberhart, Ph.D., Carsten Zimmermann, Ph.D., and Nichole Wissman, Ph.D., from September 20–26. The week-long visit provided an enriching opportunity for academic exchange, cross-cultural learning, and strengthening academia-industry collaborations.

During the trip, the faculty participated in a variety of professional and cultural engagements, including:

• Presenting the keynote address and attending the 2026 Annual Conference of the Academic Association for Organizational Science at Aoyama Gakuin University.

• Presenting collaborative sustainability research to the Corporate Venturing Office of the Hitachi Corporation and engaging in discussions with Hitachi colleagues.

• Sharing research on equity in climate adaptation at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Energy Science, where Nichole Wissman engaged with Professor Benjamin McLellan and students in meaningful conversations on adaptation and equity.

• Connecting with global scholars, including Professor Tsutomu Nakano and colleagues from Copenhagen Business School and Aalborg University, to explore potential future research collaborations.

• Touring Japanese industry sites, including an incense factory and a local brewery, to gain insights into business practices and operations.

In addition to the academic and professional achievements, the trip fostered rich cultural exchange through dinners and informal gatherings with local colleagues, further strengthening international relationships.

This research trip exemplifies the Ahlers Center’s commitment to fostering international engagement and preparing faculty and students to thrive in a globally connected business environment.