UF to host qualifying tourney for business ethics competition

March 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Warrington College of Business Administration at the University of Florida will host an inaugural national qualifying tournament April 22-23 for the Intercollegiate Business Ethics Case Competition.

“This is an excellent opportunity not only for UF to demonstrate its commitment to the inclusion of ethics in business education to the larger community of which we are a part but also to increase interaction between students and experienced leaders in business who understand both the challenges of, and opportunities that arise with, the inclusion of ethics in business practices,” said Michelle Darnell, lecturer in the college’s department of management.

Organizers instituted qualifiers for the first time this year to determine finalists for the national competition. The UF qualifier, one of only three in the nation, is being organized by the college’s Undergraduate Ethics Ambassadors, a student group dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of ethical business practices.

“Any business ethics case competition provides students a chance to reflect on how value can be created for all stakeholders in business transactions, while improving their critical thinking and communication skills,” Darnell said. “The format of IBECC encourages students to shed light on contemporary ethical issues in business that others may have overlooked, and thereby students have an opportunity to educate their teachers, the community and business leaders on topics that have not yet been widely discussed.”

The top four teams from each qualifying tournament receive an invitation to compete in the IBECC Finals at the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association’s 2011 Annual Ethics & Compliance Conference on Sept. 21-22 in Bellevue, Wash. Teams that host the national qualifiers automatically qualify for the IBECC Finals.

The IBECC is the nation’s oldest and most recognized business ethics competition. Students present a contemporary business ethics issue and propose a solution that satisfies legal, financial and ethical considerations.

Slots are available for interested teams. Registration fee is $35 per team member. For more information, contact Darnell at michelle.darnell@warrington.ufl.edu.