FAU’s College of Business Launches New Case Study Competition for Students Interested in Supply Chain Management

Registration has started for a new case study competition open to Florida Atlantic University students across all majors, including business analytics and supply chain management.

The inaugural Florida Atlantic & International Materials Supply Chain Analytics Case Competition is a partnership between FAU’s College of Business and Delray Beach-based International Materials. The company is a global player in sourcing, selling and managing the logistics of dry bulk materials for the cement and steel industries.

The free competition will begin in spring 2024, with teams briefed on the case they will need to solve. Teams of students will be paired with company representatives and supervised by FAU faculty, working on devising solutions to the problem presented.

Registration ends Jan. 15, 2024. To register, click here.

Teams will prepare presentations for company executives that summarize the key points of proposed solutions, with an emphasis on how International Materials can implement the students’ suggestions. A panel of company executives will judge the submissions and award cash prizes to the top three teams.

“We are elated to be partnering with International Materials on this contest,” said Steven Carnovale, Ph.D., an associate professor of supply chain management in FAU’s information technology and operations management department. “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to acquire real-life skills that will prepare them for the job market.”

Supply chain management studies the flow of goods and services to and from a company and includes all the processes involved in transforming raw materials and components into final products.

The analysis of supply chains became more prevalent during the pandemic, when worldwide shipping delays led to product shortages and affected everything from new and used cars to ketchup packets at restaurants.

To address the growing interest in the field, FAU started offering a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management in the fall 2021 semester. The new degree is comprised of a series of 10 courses that can be completed in 18 months.

“We invest in local talent, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of supply chain professionals,” said Marc Dickson, vice president of human resources, International Materials. “This partnership will help bridge the gap between academia and industry, creating a pathway for students to explore rewarding careers in our dynamic field.”

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