Yusaku Takeda

Yusaku Takeda is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. His research focuses on organizational nationalism, institutional dynamics, and organizational adaptation, with notable work on corporate strategies of firms like Fujifilm and Nippon Gakki. Takeda has received prestigious awards including the Best Student Paper Award (2020) and the Runner-Up Best International Paper Award (2020).

His academic journey includes roles as a research assistant to Ikujiro Nonaka at Hitotsubashi University and leadership coaching at Harvard Business School. Takeda teaches courses on innovation management and ethical dilemmas, frequently recognized as an outstanding instructor. He is a Faculty Fellow at the Illinois Leadership Center and a Scholar at the Illinois Strategic Organizations Initiative.

Research highlights include studies on competence reorientation in disrupted industries and the rise of 'Made in USA' nationalism. His work bridges historical case studies with contemporary organizational challenges, emphasizing cultural and institutional factors. Takeda has presented at leading institutions such as Wharton, MIT, and the Strategic Management Society conferences, and serves on review boards for journals like the American Journal of Sociology.

Outside academia, Takeda holds a 3rd-degree black belt in judo and teaches the practice, reflecting his commitment to discipline and community involvement. His interdisciplinary approach integrates management history, sociology, and institutional theory to explore modern organizational challenges.