LMU was one of the top performing schools at the 2015 International Business Ethics Case Competition (IBECC) held April 21-23 in New Orleans. Twenty-one teams representing seven countries competed in the annual event, which is the oldest and most recognized business ethics competition of its kind.
The LMU team – which included Michael Busse [junior, entrepreneurship], Ali Swenson [junior, psychology], David Tassone [junior, finance] and Savannah Woolston [junior, political science] – were runner-up in their division in the full presentation competition, and winner in their division in the 10-minute and 90-second competitions. Their topic focused on all the harm happening within college fraternities, and fraternities’ institutional failure to prevent that harm. The team was also awarded the Emmons Prize for excelling in all three divisions.
“The international competition was an awesome opportunity to test the analytical thinking and presentation skills we learn in class,” said Busse. “I learned so much and I really hope that there are similar opportunities for myself and other students in the future.”
Teams of 3-5 students participate in a variety of competitions (20-to-30 minute presentation followed by Q&A; 10-minute presentation; 90-second presentation), which are judged by practicing ethics and compliance professionals. Each team selects a topic from any area of business ethics and describes both the problem and a proposed solution. Students also had the opportunity to learn about organizational ethics by attending ECOA conference sessions and by interacting informally with the world’s leading ethics and compliance officers.
IBECC is organized by the Center for Ethics and Business at Loyola Marymount University, the Opus College of Business of the University of St. Thomas (MN), and the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association (ECOA), and was held in conjunction with the ECOA’s Sponsoring Partner Forum.
If you’re interested in participating in next year’s competition, please contact Kirsten Nordblom at knordblom@lmu.edu or Thomas White at twhite@lmu.edu for more information.