About the Author: Yoshinori Hara serves as a Professor in the Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University since April 2006, when the graduate school was established. His current research focus includes innovation management, service & hospitality innovation, and open innovation with IT frameworks. Prior to joining Kyoto University, he held various research and key management positions at R&D organizations in NEC Corporation, both in Japan and in the Silicon Valley, California, USA. He was responsible for conducting research and development on advanced ubiquitous computing, including Web/Hypermedia systems, adaptive user interfaces, advanced information retrieval technologies, etc. He is currently serving as President of the Society for Serviceology, a Cooperative Member, Science Council of Japan, an Independent Outside Director of Asahi Holdings, Inc., etc. He was a visiting researcher at the Department of Computer Science, Stanford University from 1990 to 1991 and an exchange researcher at the University of Vienna in 2009. He received his B.E. and M.E. from the University of Tokyo and his Ph.D. from Kyoto University
Senko Ikenobo is the Headmaster Designate of Ikenobo, a family arranging ikebana for over 560 years. The philosophy of Ikenobo ikebana was established in the 16th century. She also serves as a Vice Head Priest of Shiunzan Chohoji (Rokkakudo) Temple in Kyoto. Her varied activities focus on life as emphasized through Ikenobo ikebana. She has used an engineering approach to study the world of ikebana, such as how ikebana's beauty is developed and formed. As an Honorary Consul of Iceland, she has also contributed to fostering international friendship. In 2013, she conducted an ikebana workshop at Harvard University and performed a flower offering ceremony with a wish for world peace at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Dr. Senko Ikenobo serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University since 2019.
Spring H. Han is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University. Her current research interests include sensory marketing, emotions and service experience, hospitality management, and healthcare service management. She has participated in various industry and academic projects in Korea, USA, China, and Russia. Han has published research papers in distinguished journals, including Cornell Hospitality Quarterly and Service Science. She received the "Best paper award for the year 2012" from Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, "Educational Innovation Award" from National Research University HSE in 2014, "Best Paper Award 2014" from the 2014 TOSOK International Tourism Conference, and "Industry Relevance Award 2017" from Cornell University.
