OSU hosting Big 12 MBA Case Competition
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Teams representing nearly every school in the Big 12 Conference will compete March 24-26 in the Big 12 MBA Case Competition, hosted virtually this year by Oklahoma State University’s Watson Graduate School of Management. The competition is sponsored by ExxonMobil.
OSU was scheduled to host Big 12 schools on the Stillwater campus last March, but the event was postponed a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Schools participating in this year’s virtual competition include Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Christian, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
“The Big 12 Case Competition brings MBA students and faculty together from all attending programs to learn to analyze a problem business scenario and develop potential students in a fast-changing environment, a key skill in today’s era of global competition,” said Dr. Ramesh Sharda, vice dean for graduate programs and research in the Spears School of Business. “OSU and Spears Business are pleased to be this year’s virtual hosts and expect great camaraderie and competition.”
Teams consisting of four MBA students from the Big 12 schools will analyze a real-world case problem that requires them to assess the problem, research possible solutions, write a concept proposal and present their findings and recommendations – all within 24 hours of receiving the case. The teams will present their strategy to a panel of judges, composed of business executives and industry leaders, with the top three squads advancing to the final round, which includes additional presentations and a question-and-answer session with the judges.
“This competition is a great learning and networking opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Matt Bowler, director of the OSU MBA program. “They will learn to analyze and solve real-world business problems presented by our sponsor, ExxonMobil, in a realistic, fast-paced environment. With the added challenges of a pandemic economy, the competition will occur in a virtual setting, which is both a challenge and a blessing for our students. The future of business will include many virtual presentations and meetings as businesses look to be more efficient and agile in a post-pandemic economy. This competition will prepare students for this rapidly changing technological wave.”
OSU and Spears Business appreciate ExxonMobil for its continued support of the Big 12 MBA Case Competition and its other programs.
“ExxonMobil has been a tremendous partner of Oklahoma State’s MBA program for many years,” Sharda said. “We appreciate them hiring our graduates, providing scholarships and other support, and now a sponsorship of this very prestigious competition that brings together many schools where they typically recruit MBA graduates. Our sincere gratitude to ExxonMobil.”
The first-place team will be awarded $5,000, while the second-place team receives $3,000, and third place will be worth $1,000. Individual awards will be given to the best presenters and the best question-and-answer sessions.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth Kern | Assistant Director, Watson Graduate School of Management | 405-744-8642 | kkern@okstate.edu