7 May - August 2021 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica Graduate students of the College of Business and Management (COBAM) Keresa Baimbridge, Stacy-Ann Ramsook and Monique Lawrence of the team “Leading Ladies” walked away with the top prize following the finals of the inaugural, virtual COBAM Caribbean Case Researchers Association (CCRA) Master’s Students Case Analysis Competition held May 13, 2021, via Zoom. “Leading Ladies” was one of three teams in the finals of the Competition who virtually presented their analysis of the case “iCreate: Creating a Digital Ecosystem”, written by Professor Paul Golding, Professor of Management Information Systems, COBAM and Dr. Lisa Facey-Shaw, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC). Professor Paul Golding, President, CCRA, in his introduction of the inaugural competition, noted that it was convened in an effort to sharpen the analytic prowess of graduate students by exposing them to cases that are specific to the Caribbean region, and are relatable to their own experiences. He also noted that the competition was geared towards fostering discussion and collaboration between tertiary institutions across the island. In speaking to the mandate of the CCRA, which was launched in 2018, Professor Golding indicated that the Association was endeavoring to develop case writers and researchers across the region, adding that “we as a body want to promote the development and use of Jamaican cases and cases from the region.” The graduate students were judged on several components of their presentation, which included their solutions to issues raised in the case, and their most important arguments, as well as their financial evaluation of the entity to determine its stability, solvency, liquidity and profitability, and a nonfinancial analysis to determine additional factors which would be important to achieving long-term strategic goals. Dr. Andrea Sutherland, Dean, COBAM, Miss Sandra Johnson, Financial Controller, Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI), and Mr. Jeff Shay, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Executive Director for Academic Operations, Babson College, served as judges. Second place was awarded to A2M Consultancy with team members Andre Alexander, Anola Thompson and Michael Clarke and third place went to Kedar Martin, Ophelia Bramwell and Camilla Murray-Brown of the team Elite Consultancy. In endorsing the competition, Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica noted that “CCRA is an important resource in contributing to the body of local and Caribbean business cases, and issues that are more relatable to our own Caribbean context and environment.” Professor Gyles lauded the CCRA for their work, highlighting that research shows greater student participation and enhanced learning outcomes in areas where case study teaching methods are employed. He also noted that the competition would assist students in developing the capacity to present complex ideas and concepts. Mr. Michael Goldman, President, North American Case Research Association (NACRA), a strategic partner of the CCRA, and judges Mr. Jeff Shay and Dr. Andrea Sutherland brought greetings, while the event was moderated by Mr. Michael Nicholson, Senior Lecturer, COBAM. The competition was sponsored by the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation. First prize winners were awarded USD$1,200.00, while second and third place winners received USD$800.00 and USD$500.00 respectively. COBAM Graduate Students Participate in Inaugural CCRA Master’s Students Case Analysis Competition Team “Leading Ladies” members (from left) Keresa Baimbridge, Stacy-Ann Ramsook and Monique Lawrence, graduate students of the College of Business and Management (COBAM) won the top prize of USD$1,200.00 at the CCRA Master’s Students Case Analysis Competition, held on May 13, 2021 via Zoom. Mr. Michael Goldman President, NACRA Mr. Jeff Shay Competition judge
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