IKEA International Case Competition

The IKEA International Case Competition is an annual event in which teams of undergraduate business students apply their knowledge and skills to a real-life international business problem. Panels of corporate and faculty judges evaluate team analyses and recommendations based on their diagnosis of the problem, application of theory and classroom concepts, ability to communicate ideas, teamwork, and creativity.

Highlights

• Grand prize: $1,000 gift certificate to IKEA
• 48 hours to develop analysis
• Preliminary and final (afternoon) rounds

Team Information
Teams consist of four students and one Research Associate. Each team that signs up by the deadline will be guaranteed a spot in the competition. In the past, students have found that choosing team members with diverse skill areas is beneficial. The prize for the winning team is a $1000 IKEA gift certificate.   

The 2011-2012 IKEA International Case Competition will take place over 48 hours starting at 5 pm Wednesday, January 18th until 5 pm Friday, January 20th at which point all teams will email their PowerPoint presentations. Changes to the presentation cannot be made once it has been submitted on Friday. Teams will present in front of a panel of corporate judges on Saturday, January 21st, 2012. 

Time Commitment

1. Kick-off Event: Tuesday 1/10, 5:30-6:30pm, Douglas Forum, 4th Floor, Bank of America Exec Ed Center
2. Case Analysis: Wednesday 1/18 at 5pm to Friday 1/20 at 5pm
3. Competition: Morning & Final Rounds, Awards Ceremony; Saturday 1/21, 8am-5pm

Team Rules & Eligibility

1. Teams must consist of at least 3 undergraduate business students from the Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell University of Washington Campuses
2. Teams can have at most 1 non-business undergraduate student from the Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell University of Washington Campuses
3. Maximum of 4 core team members
4. Teams may have a fifth member, a Research Associate
   • Research Associates may be freshman, sophomores, or juniors that have not completed any 300 or 400 level Foster School courses
   • All 2011-2012 Foster School Freshman Directs are eligible, regardless of completed classwork
   • Research Associates are a wonderful resource and can be of assistance in a variety of ways such as searching databases, entering data, creating graphs, and conducting library or internet research
   • Research Associates will give a minimum of 10 hours of work to the team during the 48 hour analysis period
   • Research Associates may not present with the team during the competition, but may watch their team presentation and stay through the judge feedback session. They may not watch other team presentations.
5. All student participants must be currently enrolled as UW undergraduate students for Winter Quarter 2012
6. Teams may substitute members until Wednesday, January 18th at 9am. After this date, you can no longer substitute team members, but you may still present with only two or three team members.
7. Teams may withdraw from the competition with no consequence before Wednesday, January 18th at 9am. Teams that withdraw after this date may have their names sent to Associate Dean Sefcik to review eligibility in future competitions.
8. All participants are required to attend the Final Rounds whether you are a member of a competing team or an audience member.

Application & Registration
In submitting this application, you are committing to participate in the competition.  You are also acknowledging that you have read the above rules and eligibity information. 

Questions? Check out our FAQs, email, or call 206.543.3960.