Conference Programme

10–12 December 2026 · Doshisha University, Kyoto · An official 50th Anniversary Event of the Australia–Japan Basic Treaty

Programme as of September 2026. Further speakers and session titles announced through October and November.

Dates Venue Format Registration
10–12 December 2026 Doshisha University, Kyoto In person ¥50,000 · student rate available

Day 1 - Thursday, December 10th
Ryoshinkan 107 · Doshisha University

Day 1 is the Creating Value Alliance's annual event, open to industry, entrepreneurs, policymakers and academics. The focus is on value creation across sectors, with paper sessions for scholarly contributions.
This year's edition adds a spotlight on Australia–Japan innovation, marking 50 years of bilateral partnership.

[08:30-09:00]

[09:00–09:10]

[09:10–10:10]

[10:20–11:20]

[11:30–12:30]

[12:30–13:30]

[13:30–14:30]

[14:30–14:45]

[14:45–15:45]

[15:45–16:00]

[16:00–17:00]

[17:00–17:15]

Registration Opens & Welcome Coffee

Lunch & Networking

Coffee Break

Keynotes & Opening Plenary
The Global State of Value Creation — Making Value Visible

Keynote Speakers:
Swee Mak
RMIT University - Innovation, Research Translation & Value Creation

Susan Watson
University of Auckland Business School & Juncture Research Institute - Title TBD

Yoshie Sugai
Chiseikan Dojo - First Principles of Value Creation from Japan’s Martial Arts

Yamada-san
TBD - Seikisui House’s view on Long Term Value creation

Max Wong
Max Wong, Ministry of Finance - Malaysia - Title TBD

Theme A · Panel Presentation
Launch of the Valuism Manifesto & State of the Framework

TBA Description

Panelists:
Philip Sugai, Value Research Center

Arnaud Blandin, INSEAD/CEDEP

Drew Franklin, University of Auckland

Theme B · Panel Presentation
Australia–Japan Collaborative Innovation & Value Creation

TBA Description

Panelists:
Swee Mak, RMIT University

Anne-Laure Mention, RMIT University

Austrade and Japan-side panellists announced shortly.

Theme C · Panel & Case Presentations
Value Creation Across Industries and SMEs

TBA Description

Chairs:
Marco Koeder, Valuufy

Valerie Daldrup, Miraisphere

Panelists:
Maria Weir, AEROPA

Lance Spice, Australia Public Works

Theme D · Panel Presentation
Indigenous Value Systems & The Economy of Mana

Long before Western economics formalised stakeholder theory, Māori society operated an economic system grounded in wealth distribution, reciprocity and kinship. This panel explores the Economy of Mana and asks what a genuine exchange between Māori, Japanese and Western value traditions might produce for the Valuism framework.

Co-chairs:
Drew Franklin, University of Aukland

Billie Lythberg, University of Aukland

Panelists:
Antje Fielder, University of Auckland

Opening & Welcome Address

Speakers:
Gautam Mahajan, Creating Value Alliance

Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University

With representatives from the host institution and academic partners

Paper Session 1
Value Creation & Valuism

A one-hour session for scholarly papers on any dimension of value, value creation or Valuism. Open call for submissions.

Chair:
Fatiha Boukouyou, University of Auckland

Day 1 Closing Reflection

A quick synthesis, preview of Day 2, and the questions we're carrying forward.

Day 0 - Wednesday, December 9th
Ryoshinkan 107 · Doshisha University

The day brings together scholars, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers to strengthen value-related research and support academic publishing. Participants registered for the Professional Development Workshop (PDW) will receive guidance on developing their research for potential publication in the Journal of Innovation Management Special Issue on Valuism. A doctoral colloquium for researchers based in Kansai and across Japan will also provide an opportunity to develop their ideas, exchange perspectives, and connect with fellow scholars working in the field of value research.

[10:00-13:00]

[10:00–11:00]

[11:00–12:00]

[12:00–13:00]

[13:00–14:30]

[14:30–16:00]

[16:00–16:15]

[16:15–17:15]

[15:45–16:00]

Registration Opens & Welcome Coffee

Lunch Break

Coffee Break

Juncture Workshop
University of Auckland team - Title TBD

TBA Description

Workshop Leads:
Drew Franklin, University of Aukland

Billie Lythberg, University of Aukland

Conference Workshop
The Transition to SSBJ

For working executives in Japan understanding the impending effects of SSBJ and how to adapt to these changes strategically.

Workshop Lead:
Yuriko Nakao, Kansai University

Conference Workshop
ESG and AI for Executives

TBA Description

Workshop Lead:
Arnaud Blandin, CEDEP

Special Issue Workshop
ESG and AI for Executives

For scholars preparing submissions to the JIM Special Issue on Valuism. Editorial guidance from guest editors, peer feedback, research design support. Additional participation from Kyoto University, Kobe University, and Doshisha University professors.

Workshop Leads:
Anne-Laure Mention, RMIT University

Marko Torkkeli, LUT University

Workshop Speakers:
Philip Sugai, Value Research Center

Doina Huso, University of Agder

Conference Workshop
Horizon2020 Workshop

A workshop for researchers and practitioners exploring value creation frameworks and impact measurement within the European Horizon2020 / Horizon Europe research ecosystem. Connecting European research networks with the Valuism agenda.

Workshop Lead:
Anne-Laure Mention, RMIT University

Poster Session
Title TBD

For PhD candidates and Post-Docs in Japan and globally working on value research.

Workshop Lead:
Fatiha Boukouyou, Institut Universitaire de Technologie

Day 2 - Friday, December 11th

Ryoshinkan 107 · Doshisha University

Day 2 of the Valuism Conference 2026 explores value measurement and the Valuism framework, examining how intangible and trapped value can be recognized and unlocked. Through discussions on voiceless stakeholders, technology platforms, and diverse approaches to value creation, the day will feature paper sessions and the TFSC Paper Development Workshop, fostering meaningful dialogue and advancing research on value creation and sharing.

[08:30-09:00]

[09:00–09:30]

[09:30–10:30]

[10:45–11:15]

[11:15–11:45]

[11:45–13:00]

[13:00–14:00]

[14:00–14:15]

[14:15–15:15]

[15:15–15:45]

[15:45–16:45]

[16:45–17:00]

[17:00–18:00]

[18:00–18:15]

[18:30–20:30]

Registration Opens & Welcome Coffee

Lunch & Networking

Coffee Break

Tea Break

Coffee Break

Theme E · Panel Presentation
Humanitarian Finance and the Architecture of Value Visibility

Humanitarian finance sits at the frontier of value invisibility. Drawing on the DIFI programme at IMD (5th cohort, 6 continents), this panel examines the financial instruments that make value visibility possible: guarantees, first-loss tranches, outcome-linked instruments, and blended structures.

Chair:
Vanina Farber, IMD Center for Social Innovation

Panelists:
Panelists to be added at a later date

Opening & Welcome Address

Speakers:
Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University

Doina Huso, University of Agder

Youqing Fan, Western Sydney University

Day 1 Closing Reflection

A quick synthesis, preview of Day 2, and the questions we're carrying forward.

Theme F-1 · Core Session
When Does ESG Create Value? Evidence from Japan’s Listed Markets

Japan’s small and mid-cap listed companies have proven to be a remarkable laboratory, under-researched by global institutional capital yet generating returns that reward rigorous ESG analysis. The session draws on the Integrated Value Driver methodology and asks what investors are still missing when they look at sustainable value in listed markets.

Chair:
Sasja Beslik, SDG Impact Japan & NextGen ESG Japan

Panelists:
Panelists to be added at a later date

Theme F-2 · Core Session
Elite Quality Report and the Value of Nations

Description TBD

Chair:
Tomas Cassas-Klett, University of St.Gallen

Panelists:
Panelists to be added at a later date

Theme G · Core Session
Intangible Value & Trapped Value

Most enterprise value now sits in intangibles — intellectual capital, relationships, brand, culture, knowledge — yet traditional accounting still fails to capture them. What does it take to make intangible and trapped value legible to decision-makers?

It includes the latest developments from the Strategic Intangibles Initiative and the IFRS related to the accounting for such impacts, and the understanding of trapped value based on the latest work by Gautam Mahajan.

Co-chairs:
Laura Girella, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia

Stefano Zambon, University of Ferrara

Gautam Mahajan, Creating Value Alliance

Panelists:
Panelists to be added at a later date

Theme H · Core Session
Value Invisibility & Voiceless Stakeholders

Who speaks for the river, the future generation, the contract worker at the bottom of a supply chain? This session takes the Valuism concept of “value invisibility” and asks what structural and systemic changes would bring those voices into the calculation.

Chair:
Will Baber, Kyoto University

Panelists:
Panelists to be added at a later date

Theme I · Core Session
Technology for Value Visibility

Demos-first, slides-second. AI for ESG analysis, distributed ledger systems for accountability, sensing technologies for environmental and social impact, and platform tools for multi-stakeholder value measurement. Honest assessment: what is genuinely working, and what gap remains?

Chair:
Bob Weihai He, Veritas Tech

Panelists:
Iadine Chades, Monash University

Jamie Kass, Tohoku University

Theme J · Panel Presentation
Education & Value Creation

How do we prepare the next generation of leaders to think and act on a richer conception of value? Concrete recommendations that feed directly into the Day 3 Roadmap working groups.

Chair:
James Barlow, Imperial College London

Panelists:
Amrita Das, Monash University
Arnaud Blandin, INSEAD & CEDEP

Conference Reception
Hamac de Paradis (Kanbaikan 1st floor)

For all registered attendees and speakers.

Day 3 - Saturday, December 12th

Ryoshinkan 107 · Doshisha University

Day 3 of the Valuism Conference 2026 brings participants together for a half-day wrap-up, focusing on audience priorities and collaborative discussions across research, education, industry, and governance. The day will also mark the launch of the Valuism Steering Committee, setting the stage for future collaboration and outlining the next steps in advancing the Valuism framework and its global community.

[08:30-09:00]

[09:00–09:30]

[09:30–10:30]

[10:30–10:45]

[10:45–11:45]

[12:00–13:00]

[13:00–14:00]

[14:00–17:00]

Registration Opens & Welcome Coffee

Coffee Break

Theme J · Interactive Session
Where does Value fit into your thinking? - Audience Priorities

Short session. We ask the room: what’s missing? What should the Steering Committee focus on? What should next year’s conference look like? This feeds directly into the working groups.

Chair:
TBD, TBD

Panelists:
Participants to be added at a later date

Opening & Welcome Address

Speakers:
Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University

Conference Closing & Fairwell Lunch

Theme K · Working Group Session
Building the Roadmap

Four facilitated working groups, each producing a short set of concrete recommendations:
(1) The Valuism Research Agenda 2027 and beyond.
(2) Education and the next generation of value leaders.
(3) Industry adoption, piloting, and scaling.
(4) Governance, institutional design, and global engagement.

Session Lead:
Paul Beddie, Capgemini

Final Plenary Presentation
Synthesis, Commitments & Next Steps

Description TBD

Speakers:
Gautam Mahajan, Creating Value Alliance

Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University

Post-conference Workshop (Paid Event)
BizDo Workshop

Description TBD

Speakers:
Yoshie Sugai, Chiseikan Martial Arts Dojo

Conference Programme

Dates Venue Format Registration 10–12 December 2026 Doshisha University, Kyoto In person ¥50,000 · student rate available

​​​

Theme A · Panel Presentation Launch of the Valuism Manifesto & State of the Framework TBA Description Panelists: Philip Sugai, Value Research Center Arnaud Blandin, INSEAD/CEDEP Drew Franklin, University of Auckland

Theme B · Panel Presentation Australia–Japan Collaborative Innovation & Value Creation TBA Description Panelists: Swee Mak, RMIT University Anne-Laure Mention, RMIT University Austrade and Japan-side panellists announced shortly.

Theme C · Panel & Case Presentations Value Creation Across Industries and SMEs TBA Description Chairs: Marco Koeder, Valuufy Valerie Daldrup, Miraisphere Panelists: Maria Weir, AEROPA Lance Spice, Australia Public Works

Opening & Welcome Address Speakers: Gautam Mahajan, Creating Value Alliance Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University With representatives from the host institution and academic partners

Paper Session 1 Value Creation & Valuism A one-hour session for scholarly papers on any dimension of value, value creation or Valuism. Open call for submissions. Chair: Fatiha Boukouyou, University of Auckland

Day 1 Closing Reflection A quick synthesis, preview of Day 2, and the questions we're carrying forward.

Dates Venue Format Registration
10–12 December 2026 Doshisha University, Kyoto In person ¥50,000 · student rate available

Theme A · Panel Presentation
Launch of the Valuism Manifesto & State of the Framework

TBA Description

Panelists:
Philip Sugai, Value Research Center

Arnaud Blandin, INSEAD/CEDEP

Drew Franklin, University of Auckland

Theme B · Panel Presentation
Australia–Japan Collaborative Innovation & Value Creation

TBA Description

Panelists:
Swee Mak, RMIT University

Anne-Laure Mention, RMIT University

Austrade and Japan-side panellists announced shortly.

Theme C · Panel & Case Presentations
Value Creation Across Industries and SMEs

TBA Description

Chairs:
Marco Koeder, Valuufy

Valerie Daldrup, Miraisphere

Panelists:
Maria Weir, AEROPA

Lance Spice, Australia Public Works

Opening & Welcome Address

Speakers:
Gautam Mahajan, Creating Value Alliance

Prof. Philip Sugai, Value Research Center, Doshisha University

With representatives from the host institution and academic partners

Paper Session 1
Value Creation & Valuism

A one-hour session for scholarly papers on any dimension of value, value creation or Valuism. Open call for submissions.

Chair:
Fatiha Boukouyou, University of Auckland

Day 1 Closing Reflection

A quick synthesis, preview of Day 2, and the questions we're carrying forward.