Recently, the UCR School of Business fielded successful teams in case competitions that displayed both business acumen and competitive determination. These events provided students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world simulations, test their critical thinking, and showcase their ability to collaborate under pressure.
At the inaugural UC Davis Graduate School of Management Case Study Competition on April 1 and 2, two teams from UCR competed against peers from across the West. The event brought together 11 teams representing business schools in California, Washington, and Colorado. One of UCR’s teams earned a third-place finish, a significant accomplishment in such a competitive field, and demonstrated the strength of UCR’s academic preparation and teamwork.
During the opening night’s dinner, the teams received their challenge: a case study focused on the food industry’s supply chain challenges throughout the pandemic. The assignment required them to analyze complex business problems, balance multiple stakeholder perspectives, and deliver actionable solutions in less than 24 hours. “The teams worked all night to present to the judges the next morning,” says UCR Professor of Practice Sean Jasso, the teams’ advisor. “Our two teams were fantastic, and our winning team was awarded $1,000.”
Only a few weeks later, UCR teams again proved their talent in the 2022 International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC), continuing a long legacy of achievement. The school has competed in the ICBSC for 11 consecutive years, maintaining an uninterrupted string of wins for more than a decade. That consistency highlights not only the quality of the students but also the strong culture of mentorship and preparation that characterizes the School of Business.
The undergraduate team placed second in both the best overall performance and the best business documents competition. At the graduate level, MBA Team One secured second place in best overall performance, while MBA Team Two placed third in both best overall performance and best business documents. These multiple podium finishes reflected UCR’s depth of talent across both undergraduate and graduate programs.
The ICBSC is unique because of its structure. Unlike one-day case competitions, this event spans a three-month period, requiring sustained focus, long-term strategy, and adaptability. Over the course of the competition, students act as executives, making decisions that mirror real-world business operations. These include setting production output, determining hiring and firing needs, managing advertising and marketing budgets, overseeing sales teams, making financial decisions, and even choosing whether to build new factories. Each decision carries consequences, forcing students to weigh risk against reward while competing against other universities making simultaneous choices.
“Since January, these students have run their ‘businesses’ with weekly strategy decisions, weekly meetings, culminating in the last three days and nights of the intensive phase, including the final presentation to their ‘board of directors,’ who also serve as the judges,” says Jasso of the rigorous competition.
The level of commitment required is extraordinary, demanding not only technical knowledge but also teamwork, discipline, and resilience. “They were all amazing and worked like UCR executives,” Jasso adds. The competitions were not only a showcase of UCR student excellence but also a reminder of the School of Business’s ability to prepare graduates who thrive in high-stakes, competitive environments.
