2025 ISBASS
9th International Symposium on Business and Social Sciences
August11-13, 2025 Hawaii, United States
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Dr. Masahisa Yamaguchi is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Prior to joining Chaminade, he held faculty positions at California State University, East Bay; the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; and Musashi University in Japan.
Dr. Yamaguchi's primary research interests focus on cross-cultural management and business ethics. His dissertation, “Three Essays on Culture and Whistleblowing: A Multimethod Comparative Study of the U.S. and Japan,” examined how cultural differences influence whistleblowing behavior. Using a multi-method approach, he explored the topic from three perspectives: a historical analysis of whistleblowing in the U.S. and Japan; context-specific scenario-based analysis; and a multilevel model that incorporated multiple theoretical frameworks.
With over a decade of university-level teaching experience, Dr. Yamaguchi has taught more than 20 unique courses, including Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, Business Ethics, International Human Resource Management, Transnational Strategy, International Management, and Cross-Cultural Management. He has instructed both undergraduate business students and Executive MBA cohorts, offering specialized courses such as Global Management, Human Resource Management, and Executive Leadership.
Welcome Message:
Alohamaikākou!
On behalf of our entire organizing committee, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you to this year’s conference set in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places on Earth—Hawai‘i.
We are absolutely thrilled to have you here in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands for this very special gathering. Whether it's your first visit or you know these islands like your own backyard, there's always something magical about coming to Hawai‘i.
Now let’s just take a moment—look around you. The ocean breeze, the scent of plumeria in the air, the sway of the palms... this place isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling. And we’re so lucky to share that feeling with all of you this week.
Hawai‘i is more than just stunning beaches and sunsets that paint the sky in gold and fire. It’s a place with a deep, living culture, where the spirit of aloha—that genuine warmth and connection between people—is woven into every smile, every handshake, every moment.
And this week, that’s exactly what we are: a new kind of ‘ohana. We’ve come together not just to talk business or ideas, but to build something lasting—through shared experiences, deep conversations, and yes, maybe even dip your toes in the ocean. So I invite you to not just attend this conference—but to feel it.Take a deep breath of that island air, embrace the spirit of aloha, and get ready for an experience that will fuel both your mind and your heart. Let Hawai‘i do what it does best: connect us—to nature, to culture, and to each other.
Mahalo nuiloa for being here. Let’s make this an unforgettable week.
Aloha.
About Prof. Keith Sakuda
Keith H. Sakuda is a professor of management and international relations at the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. His research interests are international virtual exchange, cross-cultural management, and social entrepreneurship. He has also held faculty appointments at Chongqing Technology & Business University (China) and Kansai Gaidai University (Japan) and served as an external reviewer for Hong Kong Baptist University’s College of International Education.
His consulting experiences include sustainable agricultural projects in Hawai'i, Tahiti, China, the U.S., and Japan. He co-founded an award-winning social enterprise which sought to promote food sovereignty in the Pacific Islands through aquaponics and coordinated distributed agriculture.The company was featured in international media, including Fast Company, The Guadian, and National Geographic, and he was invited to speak about it at Harvard University’s Social Entrepreneurship Conference and Fish 2.0 at Stanford University.
Uniting StudentsthroughTechnology: Building an International Classroom through Virtual Exchange
Advances in distance learning technologies and modern communication tools have created opportunities to connect students and faculty from around the world without the need for travel. One of the most powerful methods for connecting students across borders is virtual exchange. Defined as sustained, technology-enabled, people-to-people education activities in which interaction takes place between those who are geographically separated, virtual exchange offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to overcome the geographical, political, cultural, and economic challenges that often prevent students from participating in international exchanges.
Virtual exchange is a more inclusive alternative to providing students with access to an international classroom. Its cost efficiency and scalability allow for greater participation across socioeconomic groups, and as a virtual platform it is less vulnerable to political risks such as visa restrictions and travel advisories. While arguably less immersive than traditional study abroad, its ability to create a more accessible intercultural learning experience makes it more practical for connecting students from around the world.
This presentation will discuss the five-year development of the award-winning program known as international fully integrated virtual exchange (IFIVE). Initially designed as a pre-study abroad program for business students in Hawaii and Japan, it has evolved to be an inclusive alternative to study abroad for those unable to participate in international travel. To date, students from 18 different countries have participated in the program, reflecting the global reach of IFIVE.
Highlights from the program’s Best of Regions presentation at the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) National Conference will be combined with presentations from the World Congress on Education (best paper in the category of inclusion) and the International Virtual Exchange Conference to introduce the IFIVE framework. Student feedback, course evaluations, and pre/post assessments will be used to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in promoting intercultural learning. Distance learning technologies, “flipped” classroom pedagogies, and interactive activities will be shared during the session.
