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NIBS Worldwide Case Competition
March 27, 2024

For more than a quarter-century, the NIBS case competition has provided unparalleled learning experiences for students from across the globe. Participants tackle real-world international business challenges in a best-on-best team tournament, benefiting from unique settings that immerse them in the culture of the host country.

Description
The NIBS Worldwide Case Competition is a test of problem-solving ability, business acumen, cultural insight, communication skills, and teamwork. Teams of four undergraduate students compete on behalf of their respective universities. They have a limited time to analyze written business cases, assess the challenges facing the organization, and present recommendations to panels of senior managers, policymakers and academics.


Each university is represented in the competition by a single team designated by the Dean of the participating school. To be eligible to enter a team, an institution must also be a member of NIBS, the Network of International Business Schools. For more information on membership benefits and fees, or to join, please visit the NIBS website.

Rounds
The Qualifying Round of the NIBS Case Competition is conducted at each participating university under the supervision of the team’s faculty advisor or official designate. Teams have eight hours to review the assigned case and prepare a written report containing their analysis and recommendations. These reports are then evaluated by a panel of expert judges chosen by the host institution, and the results used to select the 16 teams that will advance to the Championship Round.

Each year, one spot in the Championship Round is reserved for a new entrant—a team from a university that has not previously participated in the Championship Round—to ensure that the competition remains enriched by diverse perspectives. Spots are also reserved for the host school and the previous year’s host.

Key Dates
Qualifying Round
Open to all NIBS member schools
November 7-21, 2023

Championship Round
Top 16 qualifiers compete in Iowa
March 22-27, 2024


Judging Criteria
Judging in the Championship Round is done holistically, with consideration given to both the merits of the plan and its justification. Recommendations should be logical, actionable, realistic, creative, and well-founded. Presentations should be clear, concise, and persuasive, with clear effort to show the link between recommendations and the underlying analysis. Since this is an international business competition, preference is given to presentations that consider the role of cultural, economic, political, legal, demographic, and geographic variations, where appropriate.

Eligibility
An educational institution (university or equivalent) may enter only one team in the competition. Final decisions regarding the composition of the team are the responsibility of the Dean of the participating school or their official delegate. To be eligible to enter a team, an institution must be a member of NIBS, the Network of International Business Schools. Membership is available for €500 and includes a range of benefits. For more information, visit the NIBS website.