School of Management undergrads present research, social innovation projects

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Internships in hospitality and auditing, global learning experiences in Ghana and Costa Rica, and the Terese Kelly Investment Group — these were among the subjects on display in the University at Buffalo School of Management during the Undergraduate Management Poster Competition on April 5.

At the event, formerly known as the DEAL Expo, business administration and accounting undergraduates presented posters highlighting their research, social innovation and applied learning activities.

On the research side, Dong Hwan (Aiden) Lim and Sangrok Lee — junior accounting majors from Seoul and Daegu, South Korea, respectively — took top honors and a $750 prize for their project “Future of Convenience Stores,” in which they analyzed a fictions retail company planning to add new stores. After researching the convenience store industry and comparing the company with its competitors, the team conducted a cost-benefit analysis and developed a strategy for successful expansion and automation.

In addition to Best Research Poster, Lim and Lee also won the Viewer’s Choice award and an additional $500 prize.

“Through this project, we learned to consider both quantitative and qualitative aspects of a problem, and how to work together as a team,” Lim says. “This experience is valuable for any student who wants to improve their communications skills and get to know more people in the School of Management.”

For Best Social Innovation Poster, seniors Farhana Rashid of Woodside, Hira Kashif of Buffalo and Samuel Ignaczak of Pittsford won a $750 prize for their project, “Women in Leadership: Western Africa vs. Western World.” The team presented on the women leaders and business owners they met during their study abroad experience in Ghana, particularly in open-air markets, as well as the contrasting roles women play in American and Ghanaian culture.

Best Applied Experience Poster went to Duy Vo, a business administration major from Buffalo with dual concentrations in management information systems and operations and supply chain management. Vo, who received a $750 prize, shared his experiences as a business process intelligence intern at Univera, where he worked on projects to streamline processes and increase automation.

Now, nine School of Management teams that presented during the competition will go on to the UB-wide Celebration of Student Academic Excellence on April 26.