profile image for Yasuhiro Yamakawa

Yasuhiro Yamakawa

  • Associate Professor
Academic Division: Entrepreneurship
781-239-4747
Dr. Yamakawa is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College. He received his Bachelor of Laws from Keio University (Tokyo, Japan), obtained his M.B.A. in Strategic Management from Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management (Claremont, CA), and completed his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship at the School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX). Prior to beginning his doctoral studies, Dr. Yamakawa spent ten years working in Japan's utility and telecommunication industries where he engaged in numerous corporate venturing activities and entrepreneurial start-ups. Dr. Yamakawa teaches in the areas/intersections of Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and International Business. He comes from a multi-cultural background, having lived in eight different countries around the world. Dr. Yamakawa's research explores the stimulants and constraints behind entrepreneurial learning and growth. His current research interests include: Learning from entrepreneurial failure, dilemmas inherent in corporate venturing activities, failure of industry emergence, and bankruptcy laws and entrepreneurship development around the world. Dr. Yamakawa has presented his research at leading academic conferences such as Academy of Management Conference, Academy of International Business Conference, and Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference. His paper, “Entrepreneurship and the barrier to exit: How does entrepreneur-friendly bankruptcy law affect entrepreneurship development at the societal level?” won the Best Paper Award from the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, for exploring the public issue of importance to the entrepreneurial community. His paper, “How does experience of previous entrepreneurial failure impact future entrepreneurship?” was selected Best Paper Proceedings and as Carolyn Dexter Award finalist. His paper, “Revitalizing and learning from failure for future entrepreneurial growth” won the Irene M. McCarthy Best Paper Award. Dr. Yamakawa's work has been published in leading Entrepreneurship/Management journals such as Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Research Policy, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Small Business Economics, and Management International Review. ​

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, University of Texas at Dallas
  • MBA, Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University
  • BA, Keio University

Academic Interest / Expertise

Entrepreneurship

Awards & Honors

  • 2017 — Richard Schulze Publication Award, Richard Schulze Foundation
  • 2015 — Richard Schulze Foundation Award, Richard Schulze Foundation
  • 2014 — Dean's Research Award, Babson College
  • 2010 — Best Paper Proceedings and Carolyn Dexter Award Finalist, Academy of Management
  • 2010 — Irene M. McCarthy Best Paper Award, Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference
  • 2007 — Best Paper Award from the Office of Advocacy, U. S. Small Business Administration, Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference

Courses

  • Degree Courses 2024

    • EPS 3524 MADE IN JAPAN:CULTURE & OPPORTUNITIES
    • FME 1001 FOUNDS MGMT & EPS
  • Degree Courses 2023

    • FME 1000 FOUNDATIONS OF MGMT & ENTREPRENEURS
    • FME 1001 FOUNDATIONS OF MGMT & ENTREPRENEURS

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Takahashi, H., Yamakawa, Y. (2022). The effect of uncertainty on entrepreneurial activity. Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry. Vol: July 2022 22-E-064. RIETI.
  • Weng, D., Yamakawa, Y. (2022). I believe I can fly: How target venture CEO overconfidence affects acquisition completion. Small Business Economics. Springer. link
  • Weng, D., Lee, S., Yamakawa, Y. (2021). Time to change lanes: How pro-market reforms affect informal ventures’ formalization speed. Global Strategy Journal. Vol: 11, Issue: 4, Page: 767-795.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2020). Entrepreneurship in Japan. Research Monthly. Vol: 146, Page: 4-5. Japan Finance Corporationn.
  • Lin, S., Yamakawa, Y., Li, J. (2019). Emergent learning and change in strategy: Empirical study of Chinese serial entrepreneurs with failure experience. Vol: 15, Issue: 3.
  • Takahashi, H., Yamakawa, Y., Matthew, P. (2018). Board members' influence on resource investments to start-ups and IPO outcomes: Does prior affiliation matter?. Vol: 49, Page: 30-42. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Cardon, M. (2017). How prior investments of time, money, and employee hires influence time to exit a distressed venture, and the extent to which contingency planning helps. Journal of Business Venturing. Vol: 32, Issue: 1.
  • Yamakawa, Y., McKone-Sweet, K.E., Hunt, J.M., Greenberg, D. (2016). Expanding the Focus of Entrepreneurship Education: A Pedagogy for Teaching the Entrepreneurial Method. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship. Vol: 27, Issue: 2, Page: 19. Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Cardon, M. (2015). Causal ascriptions and perceived learning from entrepreneurial failure. Small Business Economics. Vol: 44, Issue: 4, Page: 797-820.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M.W., Deeds, D.L. (2015). Rising from the ashes: Cognitive determinants of venture growth after entrepreneurial failure. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. Vol: 39, Issue: 2. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.. link
  • Yamakawa, Y., Khavul, S., Peng, M.W., Deeds, D.L. (2013). Venturing from emerging economies. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. Vol: 7, Issue: 3, Page: 181–196. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.. link
  • Yamakawa, Y., Lee, S. (2012). Forgiving features for failed entrepreneurs vs. cost of financing in bankruptcies. Management International Review. Vol: 52, Issue: 1, Page: 49-79. Springer Gabler. link
  • Lee, S., Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M.W., Barney, J.B. (2011). Bankruptcy laws and entrepreneurship development around the world. Journal of Business Venturing. Vol: 26, Issue: 5, Page: 505-520.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Yang, H., Lin, Z. (2011). Exploration versus exploitation in alliance portfolio: Performance implications of organizational, strategic, and environmental fit. Research Policy. Vol: 40, Issue: 2, Page: 287-296.
  • Lee, S., Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M.W., Barney, J.B. (2011). How do bankruptcy laws affect entrepreneurship development around the world?. Journal of Business Venturing. Vol: 26, Issue: 5, Page: 505-520.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M.W., Deeds, D.L. (2008). What drives new ventures to internationalize from emerging to developed economies?. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. Vol: 32, Issue: 1, Page: 59-82.

Books

  • Shimaoka, M., Asahi, T., Yamakawa, Y. (2023). Editor-in-Chief: The World’s Best Entrepreneurship Program: Essential Exercises to Develop Innovative Businesses.. Shoeisha.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Omae, C. (2020). Entrepreneurship theory and practice: You can change the world by thinking and acting like an entrepreneur: Entrepreneurship theory and practice: You can change the world by thinking and acting like an entrepreneur. Page: 500. Toyo Keizai.

Book Chapters

  • Yamakawa, Y. (2021). The relevance and value of pivoting – which company would you invest in? : Teaching Entrepreneurship: A practice-based approach, volume 2. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2015). The study of entrepreneurship: Toyo Keizai. Toyo Keizai.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Neck, H.M. (2014). Exercises to practice experimentation: Fear of failure: Teaching Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach. Page: 254-259. Edward Elgar Pub.

Conference Proceedings

  • Kato, S., Yamakawa, Y. (2014). Where goes the optimism? Adjusting over and under: Heuristics in decision-making: Frontiers for Entrepreneurship Research. Babson College.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2013). Is it worth planning for failure? When? How?: Frontiers for Entrepreneurship Research. Vol: 33, Issue: 5. Babson College.
  • Hibara, N., Khoury, T., Mathew, P., Yamakawa, Y. (2012). Entrepreneurial foresight and the endogenous choice of market intermediaries in Japanese IPOs: Frontiers for Entrepreneurship Research. Vol: 32, Issue: 2. Babson College.
  • Miller, J., Yamakawa, Y., Deeds, D.L. (2011). Legitimacy creation and destruction: Agricultural Biotechnology as an emerging industry that failed to grow: Frontiers for Entrepreneurship Research. Vol: 31, Issue: 15, Page: 10. Babson College.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2011). Planning for failure as de-biasing strategy for escalation of commitment at market exit: Frontiers for Entrepreneurship Research. Vol: 31, Issue: 6, Page: 21. Babson College.
  • Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M.W., Deeds, D.L. (2010). Revitalizing and learning from failure for future entrepreneurial growth: Frontiers for Entrepreneurial Research. Vol: 30, Issue: 6, Page: 1. Babson College.

Other

  • Yamakawa, Y. (2016). Babson's signature entrepreneurship course. Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2016). Shackleton's Antarctic adventure: Parallels to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange.
  • Yamakawa, Y. (2009). Bankruptcy and social stigma in Japan: Global Strategy, 2nd edition. South-Western Cengage Learning.

Articles - Circular or newsletter (e.g., Babson Insight)

  • Yamakawa, Y., Deeds, D.L., Schulze, W. (2015). Meet your new marketing team: The regulators.

Presentations

  • Learning from Failure Yamakawa, Y. Global Gathering, Tokyo, Japan (2023)
  • The Rocket Pitch Yamakawa, Y. Rocket Pitch Night, Tokyo, Japan (2023)
  • The Entrepreneurial Leader Yamakawa, Y. Entrepreneurship, Tokyo, Japan (2023)
  • Creating the Future with the Entrepreneurial Mindset Yamakawa, Y. Entrepreneurship Global Seminar, Fukuoka, Japan (2023)
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Yamakawa, Y. OIC Connect, Osaka, Japan (2022)
  • The Entrepreneurial Mindset Yamakawa, Y. AAI Entrepreneurs Art x Tech, Nagoya Innovator's Garage (2022)
  • Startup Ecosystem in Japan Yamakawa, Y. Tuesday in Tokyo, Brown University (2022)
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Yamakawa, Y. Gifu Ignite, Gifu, Japan (2021)
  • Innovation: Imagination and Creation Yamakawa, Y. Fukuoka Growth Next, Fukuoka, Japan (2021)
  • Creating the Future with the Entrepreneurial Mindset Yamakawa, Y. Sekigaku-50-Kou, Tokyo, Japan (2021)
  • Value Creation Yamakawa, Y. Edge-Next Program, Central Japan, Nagoya, Japan (2021)
  • Above and Beyond Yamakawa, Y. Above and Beyond, Ishinomaki, Japan (2021)
  • ET&A for Innovation Yamakawa, Y. Fukuoka Growth Next, Fukuoka, Japan (2020)
  • ET&A for Innovation Yamakawa, Y. Yaramaika, Hamamatsu, Japan (2020)
  • Entrepreneurship Education in US vs. Japan Yamakawa, Y. Startup Ecosystem, Tokyo, Japan (2020)
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Yamakawa, Y. WEIN Student Summit, Tokyo, Japan (2020)
  • Learning from Failure Yamakawa, Y. Learning from Failure, Tokyo, Japan (2020)
  • Improving Tolerance for Failure Yamakawa, Y. Beyond 2020, Tokyo, Japan (2020)
  • ET&A in VUCA World Yamakawa, Y. What to do in an uncertain world?, Tokyo, Japan (2020)
  • Entrepreneurship and engagement Yamakawa, Y. Human Capital 2019, Tokyo, Japan (2019)
  • Entrepreneurial Thought and Action in Practice Yamakawa, Y. Thriving under VUCA World, Tokyo, Japan (2019)
  • Entrepreneurship at Babson: Theory and Practice Yamakawa, Y. KPMG Annual FAS Forum on Management Evolution, Tokyo Japan (2018)
  • Open Innovation in Japan Yamakawa, Y. Dream Pitch, Tokyo Japan (2018)
  • Entrepreneurship Education: Student Practicing Entrepreneurship Yamakawa, Y. EDGE-NEXT Symposium for Entrepreneurship Education, Tokyo Japan (2018)
  • Entrepreneurship, Failure, and Resilience Yamakawa, Y. Start-up Innovation Ecosystem, Toky Japan (2018)
  • Entrepreneurship, Failure, and Resilience Yamakawa, Y. Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives Conference, Kobe, Japan (2017)
  • Does prior experience affect venture strategies? The moderating role of learning behavior Yamakawa, Y. Song, L. Strategic Management Society Conference, Hong Kong (2016)
  • Temporal sequencing of certification signals and IPO underpricing Yamakawa, Y. Moore, C. Khoury, T. Matthew, P. Southern Management Association Conference, North Carolina (2016)
  • Innovating how we teach innovation: Innovation and entrepreneurship - courses, resources, and incubators Yamakawa, Y. Fixson, S. Tosti-Kharas, J. Academy of Management Conference, Anaheim (2016)
  • Time to exit Yamakawa, Y. Cardon, M. Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives Conference, Kobe (2016)
  • Causal ascriptions and perceived learning from entrepreneurial failure Yamakawa, Y. Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives Seminar, Kobe, Japan (2015)
  • Causal ascriptions and perceived learning from entrepreneurial failure Yamakawa, Y. Society, Technology, and Japanese Entrepreneurship Conference, Stanford, CA (2015)
  • Where goes the optimism? Adjusting over and under: Heuristics in decision-making Yamakawa, Y. Kato, S. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Ontario, Canada (2014)
  • Learning from entrepreneurial failure Yamakawa, Y. Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives Seminar, Kobe, Japan (2014)
  • Planning for Failure as De-biasing Strategy for Entrepreneurs’ Escalation of Commitment at Exit Yamakawa, Y. Academy of Management Conference, Orlando, FL (2013)
  • Is it worth planning for failure? When? How? Yamakawa, Y. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Lyon, France (2013)
  • How does previous failure impact future entrepreneurship? Yamakawa, Y. Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives Conference, Kobe, Japan (2013)
  • Entrepreneurial foresight and the endogenous choice of market intermediaries in Japanese IPOs Yamakawa, Y. Hibara, N. Khoury, T. Mathew, P. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Dallas Fort Worth, TX (2012)
  • Intangible resourcefulness behind new ventures’ international expansion from emerging to developed economies Yamakawa, Y. Global Business and Social Science Research Conference, Beijing, China (2012)
  • Venturing from emerging economies to developed economies: A knowledge-based view Yamakawa, Y. Khavul, S. Peng, M. Deeds, D. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal Special Issue Conference, Shanghai, China (2012)
  • Venturing from Emerging Economies to Developed Economies: A Knowledge-based View Yamakawa, Y. Khavul, S. Peng, M. Deeds, D. Academy of Management Conference, San Antonio, TX (2011)
  • What drives new ventures to internationalize from emerging to developed economies: Moderating role of technological intensity Yamakawa, Y. Academy of International Business Conference, Nagoya, Japan (2011)
  • Legitimacy creation and destruction: Agricultural biotechnology as an emerging industry that failed to grow Yamakawa, Y. Miller, J. Deeds, D. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Syracuse, NY (2011)
  • Planning for Failure: De-biasing strategy for escalation of commitment at market exit Yamakawa, Y. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Syracuse, NY (2011)
  • How does experience of previous entrepreneurial failure impact future entrepreneurship? Yamakawa, Y. Peng, M. Deeds, D. Academy of Management Conference, Montreal, Canada (2010)
  • Revitalizing and learning from failure for future entrepreneurial growth Yamakawa, Y. Peng, M. Deeds, D. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Lasaunne, Switzerland (2010)
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Professional Memberships

  • Educational Reform Promotion Council (2018 - Present)
  • U.S. - Japan Council (2016 - Present)
  • Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange (2015 - Present)