Student perception of benefits from being engaged in international case study competitions

Abstract

The main aim of this research paper is to present experience of the students from Serbia who participated in international business case competitions. The findings indicate the six main benefits for students at case competitions, as follows: skills improvement, knowledge, contacts, self-realization, employment opportunity and the role of mentor. Additionally, we identified some perceived advantages of domestic students compared to colleagues/students from developed countries: presentation, preparation for competition, creativity, multidisciplinary approach to problems and teamwork, while the perceived advantages of colleagues/ students from developed countries are: a more advanced business environment, the availability of multiple sources for learning, more practical experience, student exchange programmes, larger budgets and university reputation. This paper presents an innovative way of active learning for business schools through business case competitions, valuably contributes to gaining skills and knowledge, personal improvement for students and better preparation for their future career.