Fall 2019 Issue no5
SUCCESS AT ENACTUS Award-winning Bury&Bloom project page 6
NIBS 2019
UPEI Hosts International Case Competition page 12
EDUCATE, ENCOURAGE, AND SUPPORT
Grant Thornton Entrepreneurial Playground page 18
Engage is published by the Faculty of Business at the University of Prince Edward Island. EDITOR: Mary Whitrow CONTRIBUTORS: Dr. Amanda Brazil, Dr. Andrew Carrothers, Dr. Xiao Chen, Jason Dunn, Dr. Susan Graham, Zach
Geldart, Dr. Melissa James, Sam Kohlagar, Dr. Jurgen Krause, Ethan MacFadyen, Amy MacFarlane, Megan MacLean, Sam MacPhail, Mary-Ann McSwain, Matthew Munro, Dr. Matthew Pauley, Dr. Tina Saksida, Dr. Don Wagner, Mary Whitrow, Dr. Hayden Woodley, Dr. Liufang Yao
PHOTOS: UPEI Business Society, UPEI Co-operative Education, UPEI EMBA Program, UPEI Marketing and Communications, UPEI MBA in Global Leadership, Ashkan Assadi, Jason Dunn, Jackson Haley-Atkinson, Ethan MacFadyen, Sam Kohlagar, Mary Whitrow DESIGN: Results Marketing & Advertising COVER PHOTO: Light and Vision Photography. ON THE COVER: (L-R): Ellen Ross, Gary Gu, Taylor Meek, Hani Mayaleh, Ayomikun Oguntola
Special thanks to UPEI Marketing and Communications, and Dean Jurgen Krause for their contributions. FOR ALL INQUIRIES:
Faculty of Business, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3 Tel: (902) 566-0564 Email: business@upei.ca www.upei.ca/business
Don and Marion McDougall Hall
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Contents 4
Dean’s Message
5
Sobey Winner at UPEI
6
Success at Enactus National Exposition
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Under the Influence
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Thursday is the new Friday
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Entrepreneurship: A Way of Thinking
11
Community Connections
12
Enrich and Extend
14
NIBS 2019 – UPEI on the Global Stage
18
Educate, Encourage, and Support
19
Open for Business—Examining Gender within the Faculty of Business
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The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR)
22
Teach to Learn: My reflective teaching journey at the University of Canada, Egypt
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Doing Well by Doing Good
24
Presidential Recognition Award goes to MBA Coordinator Grace McCourt
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In Good Company
26
Faculty Updates
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Dean’s Message THE 2018–2019 ACADEMIC YEAR was again filled with highlights and significant achievements for the Faculty of Business. The many accomplishments, as well as opportunities and benefits created for students and our community as a result of our continued growth, are highlighted in this issue of ENGAGE. Many students celebrated successes this year, both as individuals and in teams. For the third year in a row, we had a student win the prestigious Frank H. Sobey award; our Enactus teams qualified for and won awards at the Enactus Nationals in Vancouver, BC; and our case competition team won a silver medal at the Alberta International Business Competition in Jasper, Alta. Our continued focus on entrepreneurship helped to encourage and support many students in their career journey. The Grant Thornton – UPEI Entrepreneurial Playground was launched and facilitated relationships between students, businesses, and community members, helping to educate our general population of students, as well as provide individual mentorship for new entrepreneurs. The Faculty of Business was honoured to be selected as host for the Network of International Business Schools Case Competition (NIBS) in the winter of 2019, which invited over 100 participants to compete in a week-long case competition on campus. This was perfect timing, as the event coincided with UPEI’s 50th anniversary. Sixteen teams from nine different countries participated, and experienced the excellence of UPEI and the Faculty of Business, as well as the genuine Island hospitality we are famous for. Last but not least, our faculty members continue to pursue interesting and inspiring research, publish in top journals, and receive awards and grants for their work. Many are partnering with faculty members from the UPEI community and researchers from other educational institutions to further their initiatives. In one such partnership, recently retired entrepreneurship and accounting professor Mike Cassidy, is working with the UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering to solve the problem of overgrown sea lettuce that has been plaguing Island waterways for years.
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Andrew Campbell and Dr. Jurgen Krause at the 2018 Dean’s Honours and Awards event
I completed my term as Dean of the UPEI Faculty of Business, and I am happy to announce that the former Associate Dean Dr. Tarek Mady will be serving as interim Dean. I will continue to focus on my role as the Director of the Centre for Health and Community Research and resume my teaching responsibility as professor. I invite you to explore the following stories and news to learn more about our Faculty of Business. We hope we can be a part of your future!
Dr. Jurgen Krause, MSc, PhD
Sobey Winner at UPEI By Zach Geldert JACOB EZEARD, Jacob Ezeard, a 2019 BBA graduate with a specialization in Finance, was awarded the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies in the fall of 2018. Each year, the $25,000 scholarship is awarded to up to eight undergraduate business students attending an Atlantic Canadian university who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in business, and dedication to extracurricular, community, and entrepreneurial activities. Jacob is the fourth student in five years from UPEI to receive the award.
“Not only is Jacob an excellent student and competitor, he is also an outstanding team member and leader. Jacob demonstrated true tenacity during AIBC when he led his team in reworking their whole strategy and fighting through multiple rounds of matches to win a place on the podium. Jacob is a truly positive influence on everyone he works with,” said Mary Whitrow, Case Competitions Program Coordinator at UPEI.
Throughout his time at UPEI, Jacob reached expectations to the highest degree. In addition to achieving outstanding academic success (he was awarded the Michael F. Cassidy Business Life Award for highest standing in the Faculty of Business upon graduation), he also participated in many extra-curricular activities while studying at UPEI. He was a member of the UPEI cross-country team during his third and fourth years, and volunteered as the assistant coach of the track and field team for Grace Christian School. He was also a team member in the UPEI Case Competition Program for two years where he placed in several regional and international competitions, most notably winning a silver medal with this team at the Alberta International Business Competition (AIBC) in Jasper, Alberta in the fall of 2018. Jacob Ezeard, Frank H. Sobey scholarship winer for 2018
“I’m so excited to be part of such an amazing network of individuals who have won this award in previous years, and I can’t wait to see the opportunities that come along with it.”
Jacob is pursuing a law degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax in the fall of 2019 and is grateful to be recognized for his hard work, “I’m so excited to be part of such an amazing network of individuals who have won this award in previous years, and I can’t wait to see the opportunities that come along with it.”
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Success at Enactus National Exposition By Andrew Carrothers ENACTUS is an international organization committed to shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders passionate about advancing economic development, and social and environmental responsibility. Each club utilizes the power of conscious capitalism for positive change; teams create and implement community empowerment projects and business ventures in communities coast to coast. Enactus Canada has over 73 academic institution members and 3,498 participating students. Enactus UPEI is a studentrun club with approximately 20 active members and two faculty advisors, Andrew Carrothers and Liufang (Sophia) Yao. Students get the chance to compete against teams from other schools regionally and nationally each year. UPEI competed at the 2019 Regional Exposition in Halifax and won the title of Regional Champions, which qualified them for the National Exposition in Vancouver. The Enactus Canada National Exposition is a huge event with thousands of students, business leaders, educators, and politicians. Through rounds of live presentation-based
competition, Enactus teams present the results of their community empowerment projects. Enactus UPEI has become another great example of UPEI students excelling at the highest level of competition. In Vancouver, UPEI’s team included students from biology, engineering, computer science, and business, and they earned unprecedented distinction at both the team and individual levels. Ashley Doucette, a UPEI BBA student, was named as the winner of one of ten $2,500 Founder’s Bursaries, selected from hundreds of nominations from 69 Canadian postsecondary institutions. Winners are students who exhibit outstanding leadership and superior communication skills, demonstrating the ability to be both team leaders and team players. “I was both humbled and pleased to be recognized for my involvement in Enactus,” said Ashley. “When I joined Enactus, I never could have imagined I would be where I am today, as President of Enactus UPEI, working with a talented
(L-R): Liam Barter-Browning, Evan Hawley, Zack Montreuil, Samantha MacLean, Ashley Doucette, Ashley McEachern, Andrew Carrothers, Liufang (Sophia) Yao. 6
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team of individuals to develop a successful business venture, and have the opportunity to attend competitions across the country.”
Tailored accounting and advice that
In league competition, UPEI students basked in the spotlight on the mainstage receiving hardware for the award-winning project, Bury&Bloom, where students produce and sell plantable paper products and invest in the environmental education of local students. The team is committed to making a quantum leap with Bury&Bloom next year—leveraging this success to scale the project size and impact. At the executive forum, UPEI had the honour of sending two students to dine and network with CEOs and other top executives in a small group setting; UPEI was the only school to have more than one attendee.
Accounting and Audit • Financial Reporting Business Advisory Services • Tax Planning Tax Compliance • Bookkeeping
Enactus is an experiential learning environment in which a small university like UPEI can punch well above its weight class. The Faculty of Business is so proud of what our students have achieved so far and is excited about what the future holds.
127 St. Peters Road, Suite 201, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 5P3 Telephone 902-628-9000 Fax: 902-628-8808 • www.fitzandco.ca
www.upei.ca/business/enactus www.buryandbloom.com
Under the Influence HOW MANY OF US see influencers on Instagram and wonder how they got there? How can they make a living by connecting with their followers? How do they get noticed by brands? These are all questions I wondered when I started on this journey to become a social media influencer. In my last year as a UPEI BBA student (I graduated in 2019), I was finishing my marketing specialization and was able to take a course on social media (Bus 4790, taught by Dr. Melissa James). One of the most interesting topics to me was how brands cultivate followers on social media and how they market themselves on different platforms. I had an interest in social media marketing for years and was growing my following, but once I was able to apply these lessons directly to my personal account, I started seeing a lot of success on Instagram. Now I have over 80k followers. In today’s digital world, brands are looking for people to be brand representatives on social media, and as an influencer, it’s
By Jason Dunne
important to know how to get these companies’ attention. These companies reach out to people in specific niches who could be an “opinion leader.” These people are held in high regard by their followers, who trust them to only endorse products they actually like. I’ve been lucky enough to work with brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Garnier, Smart Sweets, Jed North, Yummy Sports, and many more. Often, these companies will send me products so I can create content and market their products over my social media accounts. Our relationship is mutually beneficial. I am grateful that I was able to learn about this subject in depth at UPEI and apply it directly to my own life. I have no doubt that the concepts I learned in my classes and their implementation has a direct impact on my work as an influencer. What I learned was useful, practical, and evidence-based. I’m glad UPEI is keeping up with trends and staying current; it certainly made a difference in my learning and helped me on my current path. ENGAGE MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2019
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Thursday is the new Friday By Ethan MacFadyen and Sam MacPhail As we enter the 2019–2020 school year, the UPEI Business Society celebrates 50 years of enriching student lives. Established in 1969, the UPEI Business Society continues to be the biggest and most active student society both on campus and in our community. This includes weekly activities and various ways to network within PEI’s business world. We are very excited to make this the best year yet, and it all starts with YOU, the students. By signing up to be a member of the Business Society you receive discounts on all of our events, at local restaurants and bars, on yoga classes, and, of course, you get to participate in Thursday night trivia with us after a long week (because we don’t believe in Friday classes).
(L-R) 2018 Business Society members Isaac Dawson, Luke Reeves-Rollins, Carmelita Roberts, Ethan MacFadyen
Our year is highlighted by events both large and small. Some of these include our kick-off barbecue during the first week of school, the annual golf tournament at Clyde River Golf Club, and, to end the year, the 43rd annual Business Society Luncheon, which will take place at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in March 2020. For the upcoming school year, we are happy to announce the first annual co-ed softball tournament taking place this fall. There will be endless events for you and your friends to be involved in. We look forward to celebrating our 50th year the right way! Follow us on Instagram @upeibusinesssociety or like our Facebook page UPEI Business Society. If you or anyone you know would like to get involved, visit our office located on the first level of Don and Marion McDougall Hall or email us at upeibusinesssociety@ gmail.com. Sincerely, Ethan MacFadyen and Sam MacPhail
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This year we have elected a knowledgeable and friendly group of individuals to serve on the executive. They include: • • • • • • • • • • •
President Ethan MacFadyen Executive Vice-President Sam MacPhail VP Finance Colin Koughan VP Marketing Barrington Duffy VP Internal and Administrative Noah Woodworth Co-VP Engagement and Planning Olivia Lantz and Taylor Meek VP Events Alex Hall International Representative Quang Le Fourth-Year Representatives Hani Mayaleh and Luke Reeves-Rollins Third-Year Representatives Kathryn Gallant and Adrian Mallet Second-Year Representatives Connor Chapman and Grant Koughan
PROUD TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
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Entrepreneurship: A Way of Thinking By Matthew Pauley ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS the process of taking your knowledge (education; life experiences; etc.) and using the best available resources (financial; human and social capital) to create a business. Starting a new business is not just about creating a new-to-the-world product or service (Schumpeter, 1934); it can mean building on something that already exists and making it better (think @BOOMBurger or @NextLevelCookie) (Kirzner, 1973). You may be familiar with the “unicorn” entrepreneurs of our time—Oprah Winfrey (OWN), Bill Gates (Microsoft), J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter), Jack Ma (Alibaba), or Jessica Alba (The Honest Company)—but it is the local baker, cabinet maker, or drone videography company, such as PEI’s Odyssey Virtual, that account for nearly 96 per cent of businesses in the world (OECD, 2016). Why should you care? The global economy is mostly made up of these micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in a range of industries such as tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Not many students realize that there is a lot of opportunity for job creation within these types of ventures. The entrepreneurship courses offered within the Faculty of Business can help you practice the material learned in the foundational
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business courses and prepare you to go out on your own as an entrepreneur. Essentially a practice run is provided; you can create something new or tailor an existing business model to gain an advantage in the marketplace in a very supportive environment. What do you need to know? The entrepreneurship program in the Faculty of Business is structured to reflect the overall entrepreneurship process (starting, operating, triggering, exiting, and post-exiting). The BUS 3710 course focuses on nascent entrepreneurs (no experience and sometimes no idea yet either) and builds the skills and knowledge necessary to start a business. We explore idea generation and product and service development through to an in-depth understanding of prospective target markets and launch strategies. The BUS 3650 course builds on starting a business and then managing and growing the venture, including how to make a positive impact on your local community. The BUS 4680 course is our signature entrepreneurship course where students continue to develop management skills through the use of a computer simulation game throughout the semester. Students also develop exit strategies and map workable post-exit activities.
Ashkan Assadi and Jackson Haley-Atkinson, UPEI student entrepreneurs and owners of Catalyst Clothing in Charlottetown.
financial coaching is also offered through the Grant Thornton – UPEI Entrepreneurial Playground. Being an entrepreneur comes down to the desire to take on the challenge, and the Faculty of Business is here to support you in that journey. Matthew Pauley
How can you become an entrepreneur? The fact is— everyone can be an entrepreneur. Unfortunately, the most common misconception is that you are either born as an entrepreneur or that you need to have the perfect idea to get started. The reality is that building a successful business takes creativity, time, effort, and help from mentors. Rome was not built in a day; it took Robert Kahn and Vint Cerf over a decade to develop what we now know as the internet (Andrews, 2019). Ideas are created in part by knowing your surroundings and listening to what people are complaining about. If you can fix a problem, there is a business opportunity. If you have an idea, then book an appointment at the Hostetter Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship for free guidance and support. Expert
REFERENCES Andrews, E. (2019). Who invented the internet? Retrieved on May 28, 2019. https://www.history.com/news/who-invented-the-internet. Kirzner, I. M. (1973). Competition and Entrepreneurship. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2016). Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2016. OECD Publishing, Paris. Schumpeter, J. (1934). Capitalism, socialism, and democracy. New York: Harper & Row.
Community Connections THE PEI BUSINESS COMMUNITY supports the Faculty of Business in many ways. One way that businesses enhance student learning is by getting involved in classroom learning through “live cases”. In such partnerships, the business works with the professor to create a consultingtype, project-based assignment for students with respect to the current situation or problems facing the business. Students are tasked with preparing and presenting solutions for the business, which can take many forms, from creating a marketing or strategic plan to performing business research or exploring a business idea. This gives students the chance to practice what they have learned in their classes, and to solve real world problems with real businesses. These partnerships benefit both the students and the businesses and organizations who participate. Demand for these partnerships is high because local businesses know that the results produced by students can help them make better decisions. Businesses regularly contact faculty members to pitch ideas that they think students can work on. Mitch Cobb, co-founder and CEO of UpStreet Craft
By Susan Graham
Brewing said it best, “Students are creative, savvy, and unencumbered by many of the realities faced by small business—this frees them to look at our problems through new lenses and offer unique solutions.” Not surprisingly, students report higher levels of engagement, motivation, and satisfaction when they partner with local businesses as part of their course work. A few lucky students even win a prize or are able to parlay these assignments into paid work for the summer or after they graduate. Emily March, a graduate from the 2019 class, noted, “Working with these companies makes what we learn in the classroom more meaning ful. It helps us connect the dots between what we are studying and what employers are going to ask us to do when we enter the labour market.” At the end of the day, this model of partnership just makes sense for all involved. Students get much needed and valued “real-world experience” and local businesses get important work done while helping to shape the labour pool for the future. It’s win-win! ENGAGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2019
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Enrich and Extend By Megan MacLean TO ENRICH AND EXTEND THEIR LEARNING beyond the classroom and provide students with real-world professional experience, Business Administration students at the University of Prince Edward Island have the option of participating in the Co-operative Education program. This program at UPEI provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience in their field of study, participate in relevant professional development
“My work terms provided me with newfound knowledge and experiences that solidified my interest in accounting and my pursuit of the Chartered Professional Accountant designation. The work terms allowed me the opportunity to develop my interpersonal communication skills, heighten my knowledge, and develop my professionalism. The employers provided unwavering support during my learning curve as a co-op student. They offered a rich learning environment that challenged me with various responsibilities and exposure to a variety of work. Mentorship, team work, respect, and collaboration in the workplace were embraced by my employer.” Migel proved his capability while completing his work terms, and was hired into a full-time role with one of his work term employers, after graduation.
Migel Spencer, with colleagues (and UPEI alumni) Heather Mackay and Matthew Downey at his Co-op placement at Arsenault Best Cameron Ellis.
opportunities, broaden their industry and career network, earn academic credit, test potential career options, and earn money to help pay for their education. Migel Spencer, 2019 BBA-Co-operative Education graduate, joined the Co-op program because he wanted to test if accounting was the field he wanted to pursue after graduation, gain work experience, and build connections; he was able to accomplish all three. 12
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Employers continue to use the Coop Program as a mechanism to test and attract top talent. iWave, based out of Charlottetown, PEI, is the fundraising industry’s top-rated intelligence platform and Mary Cote, Vice President Product Development says, “Operating in a diverse and constantly evolving industry, iWave stays in front of their competition through the ability to attract and retain extremely qualified employees and co-op students. iWave continually finds that co-op students bring a level of enthusiasm and a bevy of new ideas when tackling new projects and challenges within the workplace. Coming straight from the classroom, these students are up-to-date on the newest technologies and ideas,
which helps keep iWave at the forefront. Students come in eager and excited to contribute for 16 weeks. It is a great opportunity for us to trial new talent and position students for employment early, as well as help shape their future career. Having the ability to bring school learning to the workplace in a real professional environment with real market challenges can be very eye-opening. It’s a win-win situation for both the student and iWave.” The Co-operative Education program is a strong three-way partnership between employer, student, and the University, that results in experienced, skilled, and employable graduates who are ready to enter the labour market. For more information on becoming a co-op student or how you can employ one, please contact the UPEI Cooperative Education office at 902-566-0336 or co-op@ upei.ca.
Arsenault Best Cameron Ellis expertise range from the public sector, agriculture, auto dealerships, manufacturing, construction, health care, tourism, technology and real estate.
WE ARE NOT LIKE OTHER ACCOUNTING FIRMS Arsenault Best Cameron Ellis provides a complete range of accounting, auditing and tax services to a large base of private and public sector clients. In addition to this, the firm has a versatile offering of specialty areas with qualified specialists including corporate tax planning, estate planning, financing and acquisitions, consulting, valuations (CBV) and forensic services (CFE).
18 QUEEN STREET, SUITE 100 CHARLOTTETOWN PE C1A 4A1 TEL (902) 368-3100
CPAs are boring Does producing the world’s best ice cream sound boring?
Chad Heron, CPA Vice President, COWS Inc.
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NIBS 2019 – UPEI on the Global Stage By Mary Whitrow
Participants from the University of Guelph-Humber celebrating with their UPEI Ambassador, Khaled Abdelmalek (centre).
THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS is committed to being a globally minded faculty. Our new programs like the MBA in Global Leadership or the specialization in International Business in the Bachelor of Business Administration program demonstrate this focus, but we also engage with the global community in many other ways, including our membership in the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS). NIBS is an association of business schools from around the world, with currently about 70 member institutions from 30 different countries, who are united by a shared view that the internationalization of business and globalization of the economy are essential elements in the evolution of managerial practices. The University of Prince Edward Island has been a founding member of the NIBS Association since 1996.
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The crown jewel of the NIBS Association is the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition for undergraduate business students. It is a competition that brings together top business schools from around the world to compete in a six-day case competition focusing on international business issues. UPEI has had great success as a competitor in recent years, winning bronze in 2013 and silver in 2015 and 2016. The competition is unique in that there is a different host institution every year; recent locations include Carleton University in Ottawa, St. Mary’s University in Texas, USA; Satakunta University of Applied Sciences in Rauma, Finland; and Universidad del Istmo in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
The UPEI Faculty of Business won the bid to host the competition in 2019, becoming the first institution in the Maritime Provinces to be selected in NIBS history. The week-long event, which ran from February 17–22 2019, coincided with the 50th anniversary of UPEI. It offered an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the province and university to future business leaders from across the globe. The competition began with a Qualifying Round in November 2018, involving more than 30 top business schools from across Canada and around the world. Participants competed in teams of four—one team per school—and had eight hours to analyze a business case and remotely prepare a written report with their recommendations. The 16 teams that created the strongest reports advanced to the Championship Round at UPEI. The competition week kicked off with an opening ceremony and reception at UPEI on February 17, featuring a warm welcome from UPEI and provincial government representatives, including opening remarks from the Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island. The tournament unfolded over six rounds of competition, from Monday to Friday. Teams were separated into four divisions, where they competed in a series of head-to-head, round-robin matches. The top teams in each division then moved on to the quarter-, semi-, and final rounds. In each match, teams were tasked with creating a solution to a business case that they had never seen before, sometimes in as little as three hours. The deliverable at the end of their preparation was a
20-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q&A with a panel of judges. A distinguishing feature of the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition is the importance it places on the cultural and social experience. When they were not competing, participants engaged in activities designed to show the distinctive cultural and economic aspects of Charlottetown and PEI. During the evenings, all teams and coaches were introduced to local restaurants to experience the culinary wonders of PEI, and on their one day off, they were taken on a tour of the Island. This was a great way to engage with local business owners and the greater UPEI community. After the final round on Friday afternoon, all participants, volunteers, and judges were invited to celebrate their hard work and success at the final gala, held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The winning team, Guelph-Humber of Toronto (Canada), had impressed the judges with their clear analysis and sound recommendations for the final case. Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands) took the silver medal, teams from Technological University Dublin (Ireland) and St. Mary’s University‘s Greehey School of Business (USA) shared the bronze medal, while the Most Spirited Team award went to Guatemala’s Universidad del Istmo for the third year in a row. Mary Whitrow, Chair of the NIBS 2019 Organizing Committee, received the NIBS Distinguished Service Award for her significant contributions to this year’s event. con’t ...
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The UPEI NIBS student team, (L-R) Olivia Lants, Hani Mayaleh, Alec Brown, Taylor Meek.
Four members of UPEI’s case team (Alec Brown, Olivia Lantz, Hani Mayeleh, and Taylor Meek) represented UPEI in the competition and now know first-hand the value of case competitions for students interested in experiential learning. After the competition, Hani Mayaleh reflected, “NIBS was perhaps the most challenging week of my university career, but also the most rewarding in terms of the practical learning and problem solving that I was able to engage in.” Taylor Meek added, “I am beyond grateful for my experience at NIBS! The opportunity to network at an international level and compete against the best resulted in an unforgettable week.”
As the most recent host, UPEI automatically qualifies for NIBS 2020, which is being hosted at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences in Schwäbisch Hall (Germany). For those interested in being a part of the UPEI Case Competition Program, please visit http://www.upei. ca/business/case-competition-class.
“ I am beyond grateful for my experience at NIBS!”
Thank you to our sponsors Gold Sponsor
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Silver Sponsor
Judges Sponsor
Judges Sponsor
THE PEOPLE OF NIBS
Judging
Organizing Committee
A key element of the NIBS case competition is judging. While some competitions rely primarily on professors and academics to evaluate the ideas and solutions proposed by students, NIBS also engages senior managers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who are active in the business community. Here in Charlottetown, we were able to tap into our extensive network of alumni and industry mentors (60 judges in total) to ensure that teams were being judged by the best minds in Canadian business.
Seven individuals were part of the organizing committee, and generously gave their time during the whole duration of the competition. •
Mary Whitrow (Case Competitions Program Coordinator), Chair of the Organizing Committee
•
Anna Mallard (UPEI Communications and Logistics
•
Dr. Tina Saksida (Assistant Management), Logistics Advisor
•
Katelyn Lord, CPA (Senior Accountant with Grant Thornton Charlottetown and former UPEI Case Competition student), Volunteer Coordinator
BBA
student),
Professor
of
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Dr. Andrew Carrothers (Associate Professor of Finance), Judges Trainer
•
Zach Geldart (Dalhousie University JD student and former UPEI Case Competition student), Logistics Coordinator
•
Kate Kinsman, CPA (Associate at Arsenault Best Cameron Ellis and former UPEI Case Competition student), Transportation Coordinator
Special thanks to Dr. Robin Ritchie (Professor of Marketing at Carleton University and NIBS VP Case Competitions) for his hard work leading up to and during the event.
Volunteers
We are especially thankful to our judging partners, Grant Thornton Charlottetown and MRSB, who supported the event by providing multiple judges on each day of the competition. Participating Universities • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Avans University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) Bishop’s University (Canada) Concordia University (Canada) EPHEC (Belgium) Heilbronn University (Germany) IBA International Business Academy (Denmark) London South Bank University (United Kingdom) Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) St. Mary’s University (USA) Southeast Missouri State University (USA) Technological University Dublin (Ireland) UC Leuven-Limburg (Belgium) Universidad del Istmo (Guatemala) Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (USA) University of Guelph-Humber (Canada) University of Prince Edward Island (Canada)
IT TOOK OVER 80 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS from the UPEI Faculty of Business to make this event a success. Volunteers worked together to create a welcoming atmosphere for their guests; they helped with monitoring teams while they prepared their cases, monitoring and running presentation matches, and working with the organizing committee to make sure everything was running smoothly. Sixteen students took on the role of Ambassador, acting as a buddy for each of the competing teams. In addition to making sure their teams were on schedule, they also ensured participants had everything they needed and were comfortable in PEI throughout the week. Ambassadors had the unique opportunity to create lasting friendships with their teams and to network with university representatives from around the globe. ENGAGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2019
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Educate, Encourage, and Support By Mary Whitrow just accounting advice, we are business advisors, focusing on IN 2018, the UPEI Faculty of Business launched the the whole individual or business to help them with whatever Grant Thornton – UPEI Entrepreneurial Playground, an they need. initiative in partnership with Grant Thornton which aims to educate, encourage, and support entrepreneurs at UPEI through classroom seminars, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Matthew Pauley, Director of the Grant Thornton – UPEI Entrepreneurial Playground, has been facilitating these initiatives in partnership with Ryan Innis, Chartered Professional Accountant and Principal with Grant Thornton Charlottetown. I had the chance to sit down with Ryan to discuss the progress that has been made on the Playground in its first year of (L-R) Bruce Donaldson, Iker Zulbaran, Chris Gallant, Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, Kathy O’Rourke, Ryan Innis, Rudolf Al Aswad, Jurgen Krause, UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. existence. Why has Grant Thornton Charlottetown committed to supporting entrepreneurship at UPEI in this way? We want to support growth in the Island economy. We are seeing the global trend of changing workplaces, economies, and industries, and changes in the way people live. Many people are going out on their own, trying to create opportunities for themselves in PEI. At Grant Thornton, we see our role in this process as one of helping future entrepreneurs and business people to build their business from the ground up; to get it right the first time. The University is the perfect place to carry out this mission. Why is it so important to help entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurship journey? It’s so much easier to grow a successful business if you start with a strong base. Getting it right the first time can mean fewer headaches down the road and an easier path to profitability. Many people attempt a DIY approach with their startup because the cost of professional help can be prohibitive. We wanted to break down that barrier a bit so that we can help these entrepreneurs succeed in the long run. Much of the help I provide is based on the knowledge that comes with experience. Helping them realize their inputs must not exceed their outputs, finding their breakeven point, and getting to a business model that works financially. We are giving more than
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What impact have you seen in the past year from your work with the Grant Thornton – UPEI Entrepreneurial Playground? Speaking to a whole class was valuable because I could connect with so many students and help them understand what to do and where to go when they have an idea. I also met with three students individually through the semester, who came forward after participating in the seminars, all at different stages of their business plan. The fact that three people came forward for help after hearing me speak showed me that the Playground is making an impact on these students, and helping them take the next steps in their entrepreneurship journey. We are pleased with the progress the Playground has made and we are excited to continue and grow our support over the next years. Any words of wisdom for those thinking of diving into the world of entrepreneurship? I want new entrepreneurs to know that you don’t need a million dollars to start a business; you just need your own time in most cases. Many of the new entrepreneurs we see have ideas that centre on solving old problems in new ways, but your idea doesn’t have to be the next Uber. Anyone can be an entrepreneur if they are willing to work hard and be clever about their business.
Open for Business
Examining Gender within the Faculty of Business By Susan Graham and Amy MacFarlane WOMEN IN BUSINESS are making strides in levelling the playing field—narrowing the pay gap, taking more leadership roles in organizations, and starting their own businesses. But the progress of women in the business world may be stymied by the low participation rate of women in undergraduate business degrees. Throughout North America, women remain underrepresented in business programs. UPEI is no exception. Over the past decade, female enrolment in the BBA program at UPEI ranged between 35–42%, well below the rate of female enrolment in UPEI’s Arts and Science degree programs. The truth is, we don’t understand why this is happening.
programming that are possibly not resonating with female students. And the business world needs women to enrol in business programs and to succeed in their studies. UPEI’s Faculty of Business is working hard to make sure we gather the relevant knowledge and are leading the way.
Several researchers with UPEI’s Faculty of Business are embarking on a research program aimed at better understanding why female students are or are not choosing to study business, what the experience of female students in the business program is like, how females are represented in the business curriculum, and how the Faculty of Business can better serve the learning needs and career aspirations of female students. We already know a few important things: the gender gap seems to narrow by the fourth year of study, suggesting that female students are better at persisting in the pursuit of their degree; the gender composition of professors in the Faculty of Business is relatively balanced, nine male and seven female full-time faculty members, excluding the dean and associate dean; female students appear to be as successful in their course work as their male counterparts; the gender profile of international students mirrors the gender profile of domestic students; and female students are increasingly taking on leadership roles in student societies and organizations. But we strive to know more! If we want more women around the boardroom tables, bringing their creative ideas to the marketplace, and running their own businesses (and we DO!), then we need to make sure that business programs are attracting women and meeting their needs. In order to reach these objectives, faculties of business need to make sure business programs are identifying and addressing any aspects of
UPEI business graduates Jessica Smith, Vernatius Okafor, Teresa Tu, Cullen Mullally, Sara Ashnaei
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The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR) By Dr. Amanda Brazil, Mary-Ann McSwain, Matthew Munro The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR) at UPEI is a collaborative research centre located in Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The CHCR conducts a varied program of research related to the health, safety, wellbeing, and resilience of Islanders and their communities. More information can be found at https:// chcresearch.ca/. Maritime Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit The CHCR houses the PEI node of the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU), an initiative aiming to support improvements in healthcare delivery and healthcare policy making through patient oriented research. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the PEI Department of Health and Wellness, the CHCR is currently conducting research in several important areas: •
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An in-depth study examining the drivers of high cost healthcare use in Prince Edward Island. A preliminary study by the CHCR in 2016 revealed that just five per cent of the population in PEI accounted for almost three-quarters of healthcare expenditures . The in-depth follow-up study is being conducted to better understand this population of high resource patients to identify key actionable areas for change to help improve the delivery of care and health outcomes for these patients. In partnership with PEI Department of Health and Wellness, the CHCR is set to launch a telephone survey aimed at determining the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in Prince Edward Island.
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The CHCR is currently also working with stakeholders in the healthcare system to provide evaluation services for the Mobile Integrated Health Initiative.
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SPOR Canadian Data Platform The CHCR is pleased to be a part of a seven-year CIHR funded initiative aimed at assisting researchers in accessing administrative health data for multi-jurisdictional studies. The Secure Island Data Repository (SIDR), developed and managed by the CHCR in partnership with UPEI’s IT Systems and Services, Research Services, and Robertson Library, has joined a pan-Canadian network of research data repositories. This network will collaborate to provide streamlined access to data for researchers, and develop standardized algorithms and case definitions for measures of healthcare utilization and conditions, among other initiatives. For more information about SIDR or to learn how we can support your research, please contact Mary-Ann MacSwain, CHCR Research Manager at mmmacswain@upei.ca. CBT4CBT Phase II Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT4CBT), developed by Dr. Kathleen Carroll at the Yale School of Medicine, is an innovative online program that teaches cognitive behavioural therapy for individuals struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. The PEI CBT4CBT project, funded by the eHealth Innovations Partnership Program, was piloted in sites across PEI in Phase I. Now in Phase II of the partnership, the CHCR team will evaluate the implementation of the program both on PEI and across the country and will work with stakeholders and CBT4CBT users to identify if and how the program can be adapted to better address the needs of youth. MacSwain, M.A., Patterson, M., Kephart, G. & Krause, J. (2016). Examining the Drivers of High Cost Healthcare Usage in Prince Edward Island. Available at https://tinyurl. com/high-cost-healthcare
Matthew Munro joins the team as a Research Coordinator working across several projects including the evaluation of the CBT4CBT program, studying high-cost healthcare use in PEI, and the evaluation of the provincial Mobile Integrated Health program. He holds a Master of Applied Health Services Research from UPEI (2017) and has worked in various research roles on campus.
New staff joins CHCR Dr. Amanda Brazil is CHCR’s Research Scientist. A University of Prince Edward Island PhD graduate and social science researcher, she is currently leading Phase II of the CBT4CBT project and is part of the MSSU team. Amanda came to CHCR from the Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division where she was the Director of Programs and Policy. She has extensive experience in mental health, addictions, and correctional research, and has worked for the research branch of Correctional Service Canada as a project manager of research at the Addictions Research Centre.
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Teach to Learn
My reflective teaching journey at the University of Canada, Egypt By Dr. Xiao Chen The University of Canada, Egypt (UCE) is a physical campus in New Cairo, launched in 2018, which is spread over a state-of-theart, fifty-acre smart campus for a consortium of Canadian partner universities. Each university offers different programs and degrees identical to those that they offer in Canada. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in business are part of the UPEI BBA program in Egypt and, upon completion of the degree requirements, are granted the UPEI BBA degree. Some UPEI professors, including Dr. Xiao Chen, have travelled to Egypt to teach courses at UCE.
IN JUNE 2019, I taught an entry-level organizational behaviour (OB) course at UCE. As a relatively experienced OB instructor, I found this teaching experience to be a novel and unique learning journey, one that instilled and reshaped my philosophy of teaching. Upon reflection, there are four elements relating to the Egyptian culture that became evident during my UCE experience. Student aspirations. On Day 1, I assigned a question for students to write a short response to: why am I here? Examples of their responses were, “to make myself and parents proud,” “to expand my father’s business,” “to open my own business,” “to help make an impact on someone’s life and the world,” etc. Genuine, insightful, and dynamic, these responses reflected that the students had a variety of reasons for pursuing a business degree at UCE. They strive for personal and family growth beyond succeeding in future business endeavours. Emotional intelligence and culture. In one lecture, we discussed how workplace events may trigger workers’ emotions, which in turn affect work-related outcomes such as job performance and satisfaction. At one point in the lecture, students were being disruptive (talking, or walking out of the classroom without my consent) and it made me jittery and distracted. I decided to take a minute to pause the lecture and compose myself. When I started again, most students had quieted down, and I pointed out the importance of considering individual characteristics such as emotional intelligence (i.e., one’s ability to understand and manage one’s own and other’s feelings and emotions) when assessing emotional regulation at work. I encouraged the students to reflect upon the occurrence so that they would better comprehend the relevance of human emotions to organizations, using myself as well as themselves as examples. Upon reflection afterward, I realized that cultural norms may have had a lot to do with 22
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Dr. Xiao Chen at the UCE
the way students were behaving, as well as my reactions to that behaviour. The importance of the relational self. As a relatively stable set of psychological characteristics, personality is a critical predictor of an individual’s behaviour. In traditional Western-rooted theories of personality, however, the interdependent domains of personality have been rarely addressed. When I teach about personality, I typically include a few Chinese indigenous personality constructs that are interpersonal. One of these constructs is ren qing (i.e., the Chinese norm of reciprocity). For example, I ask students to rate their agreement with a statement like, “I find it very hard to say ‘no’ when others make requests or give me assignments.” I found the insights regarding the relational aspect of personality resonated with the UCE students more than with Canadian students and they believed the perspective of “relational self ” essential and critical to their own lives, both social and professional. Encouraging team cohesiveness and performance-related norms. In theory, team effectiveness is a function of team cohesiveness (i.e., the extent to which a group is attractive to its members) and performance-related norms (i.e., acceptable standards of how hard to work). In general, collectivistic cultures have a strong predisposition to work together as a group (i.e., high cohesiveness), whereas in individualistic cultures, team cohesiveness is typically harder to achieve. I found the UCE teams highly cohesive. The key challenge, however, was to cultivate high performance-related norms. In my opinion, there might exist some cultural tactics to instill higher instrumental cohesiveness (i.e., give every team member a vital ‘piece of the action’ in a project) so that performance-related norms can be enhanced. That is, performance-related norms may be cultivated by some persuasive means that are aligned with local cultural norms. Upon reflection as a Chinese (Canadian) professor teaching OB in English (his second language) in Egypt, I wonder, whose OB was I teaching? Ours? Yours? Theirs? The question leaves much room for reflection, research and discovery. I appreciate and embrace my UCE encounter as a truly teach-tolearn opportunity, and am grateful for the insights and inspiration that came from the experience.
Doing Well by Doing Good By Mary Whitrow A TRUE ENTREPRENEUR often sees opportunity where others don’t. Mike Cassidy, president of the Cassidy Group (comprised of T3 Transit, Coach Atlantic Group, Maritime Bus, Cassidy Farms, and most recently, Vankampen’s Greenhouse) and a UPEI professor for 25 years, now retired, is one such entrepreneur. In one of his newest endeavours, Mr. Cassidy is working with Dr. Bishnu Acharya from the UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering and researchers from Dalhousie University to solve an issue that has been plaguing Prince Edward Island for many years; the overgrowth of sea lettuce. Sea lettuce is a problematic algae that grows in large blooms or patches every summer in Island waterways, fuelled by an excess of nitrates in the water from farm runoff, septic tanks, and golf courses. When the sea lettuce dies it uses up oxygen in the water, creating anoxic (oxygendepleted) conditions that are deadly to marine life. Mr. Cassidy has been involved in harvesting the sea lettuce from Covehead Bay since 2011 and is now providing it to researchers to develop a liquid bio-stimulant that can be used as a fertilizer on an array of different crops. Dr. Acharya and his partners hope to see signs that the sea lettuce enhances field crops by September 2020.
(L-R) Mike Cassidy, Matthias Wolters (BBA ’15, Manager at VanKampen’s Greenhouse), and Dr. Bishnu Acharya.
Mr. Cassidy has taken a solution to an environmental issue and transformed it into a business opportunity; he has introduced the fertilizer to some of his haskap berry crops at Cassidy Farms, in Hampton, PEI. Haskap berries, which look like elongated blueberries, are beginning to gain recognition for their high antioxidant content, unique flavour, and ability to flourish in harsh weather. The berries will find their way to VanKampen’s Greenhouse in Charlottetown, to be sold after the test results come back in 2020. This symbiotic relationship between Mr. Cassidy’s various businesses and projects is a great example of seeking “fit”, strategic alignment, and vertical integration. It’s exciting for the Faculty of Business to see members of the UPEI community working together to help the environment and the Island business community. We wish Mr. Cassidy and Dr. Acharya the best of luck in this project!
Van Kampens Multi-Purpose Plant Food made from sea lettuce
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Presidential Recognition Award
goes to MBA Coordinator Grace McCourt
By Dr. Tina Saksida, EMBA Program Director and Dr. Don Wagner, MBA-GL Program Director ON APRIL 30, 2019, Grace McCourt was presented with a UPEI Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Support of Student Success. The award was a result of her exceptional performance as the Coordinator of UPEI’s MBA programs since 2008. As the coordinator for both programs, Grace is the primary contact person for our MBA students before, during, and after their MBA studies. Early on, when individuals are still contemplating whether to apply to one of our MBA programs—Executive MBA (EMBA) or MBA in Global Leadership (MBA-GL)—she meets with them, sometimes multiple times, guides them through the decision-making process, and advises them on what is involved and required. She excels at building relationships with our applicants, and by the time they begin their first classes, the students already know that Grace is available for helpful guidance and encouragement. Grace’s tireless work during student recruitment and onboarding is truly essential to our programs’ success in attracting and retaining exceptional candidates. Once students have begun the EMBA or MBA program, Grace remains in close contact with them throughout their studies. She has proven to be an invaluable mentor to many of our students; when they encounter issues, Grace is their go-to person. For example, students go to her if they are struggling in the program, if they are facing tensions within their student groups, if they are having administrative or financial issues, or if they are having issues with their instructors. The students are comfortable meeting with Grace and confiding in her, and they respect the advice they get from her. Grace approaches these situations with a great deal of compassion, sound judgment based on years of experience, and respect for student privacy. After students have graduated, Grace stays in touch with them, so that our alumni can remain connected to the program and to UPEI. As a result, our graduates are regularly more than willing to help Grace out at recruiting events, and are always happy to contribute to our newsletter, attend our alumni events, 24
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and volunteer their time to speak or serve as panelists in our courses. It would be hard to exaggerate how much appreciation and respect our MBA students and alumni have for Grace. We consistently hear from students about how incredibly helpful Grace has been in their MBA journey. In many ways, Grace really is the face and the heart of our MBA programs. The nomination for this award was supported by enthusiastic letters of endorsement by the students and graduates of both MBA programs. Rebecca Gill (Class President of the 2013 cohort of EMBA students) coordinated a letter of support from all the EMBA Class Presidents from 2008 to the present. Meanwhile, Brent Andrews (current MBA-GL student) led the drafting of a letter of support that was signed by all of the students in the MBA-GL program. Our MBA graduates and current students now number well over 200, and we are confident that virtually all of them would emphatically assert that Grace enhanced their student experience, and that she is more than deserving of this award. As MBA Program Directors, we share this sentiment and extend Grace our warmest congratulations.
(L-R) Don Wagner, Jurgen Krause, Andrew Carrothers, Sophie Yao, Grace McCourt, Brenda MacLean, Tina Saksida, Blake Jelly, Tarek Mady.
In Good Company By Mary Whitrow DEBBIE GOOD’S REPUTATION as a professor at the University of Prince Edward Island precedes her. Many students know her to be a tough teacher; her classes represent a line in the sand that only the strongest of accounting students pass. Most know of her long academic career, as evidenced by the number of families with more than one generation taught by Debbie. Not only has she been instrumental in the development and execution of UPEI’s accounting specialization, but she has also made impressive contributions to the University, the accounting profession in PEI, and the Island community as a whole. Debbie has been pushing boundaries and paving the way for women to pursue accounting on PEI for many years. She was the first female to be awarded Fellowship in the Chartered Professional Accountants of Prince Edward Island (CPA PEI) in 2006. Fellowship is the highest honour the Institute confers and is awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding career achievements, and exceptional service to the profession, the Institute, and the community. Tanya O’Brien, CPA, CA, and CEO of CPA PEI, remarks, “Debbie is a pioneer for females in the profession of accounting on PEI. For me personally, and all others who entered the profession after Debbie, she led the way as one of the first female members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Prince Edward Island in 1978 and went on to inspire others through her leadership in education and in the profession.” Today, CPA PEI has 250 female members. Debbie has taught almost every accounting course offered at UPEI at one time or another and has been integral to the tremendous success of the BBA Accounting Specialization. “The rigour of her courses has had a direct impact on student success in the CPA program.” Professor Amy McFarlane says, “Debbie has high expectations, signalling to students the level of work ethic, discipline, and judgment required to become a professional accountant.” Debbie has been active in many sectors in PEI over the years and has served on the boards of many not-forprofit organizations. She has had several ministerial appointments, including being a member of the National Forum on Health from 1994–1997. She has also held
2017 Faculty Association Members: (L-R back) Rebecca Reed-Jones, Charlene VanLeeuwen, Sharon Myers, Heather Penny, Karem Simon, Carlo Lavoie (L-R front) Michael Arfken, Nola Etkin, Debbie Good
various leadership positions within UPEI throughout the years including interim dean in the Faculty of Business and treasurer for the UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA). With 16 years of service, Debbie was the longest-serving member on the UPEIFA executive. Through all of her endeavours, she has shown tremendous capability, tenacity, and a work ethic second to none. Sharon Myers, current UPEIFA President, recalls Debbie’s efforts during a 2012 collective bargaining round when she went above and beyond the call of an executive member to ensure the numbers relating to a salary grid were correct and double-checked during a final meeting—which didn’t end until 3:00 am. “Her support was vital, and she gave us the confidence we needed in the wee morning hours to know the numbers were solid and a deal was in hand. That’s one night, a very late one, but part of a 16-year history of dedication and service to the Association and its membership. She guided the Association through some difficult financial times with steady hands, and has helped us to make good decisions during better times. We are grateful!” The UPEI Faculty of Business can’t thank her enough for her years of service and outstanding work. Dean Jürgen Krause affirms this, “Debbie’s contribution to the Faculty and UPEI is outstanding. We are proud to have worked with her and wish her well.” Thank you, Debbie, enjoy your retirement!
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Faculty Updates DR. XIAO CHEN, assistant professor of management, completed a collaborative research project with a labour economist at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. The project examined the effects of different goalsetting interventions on Chinese ride-hailing drivers’ performance. Dr. Chen presented the project findings at the PEI Senior College (January 2019), UPEI Faculty of Business Research Colloquium (March 2019), the annual conferences of the European Academy of Management (EURAM) (Lisbon, Portugal, June 2019), and the Academy of Management (Boston, USA, August 2019). At the 2019 EURAM conference, Dr. Chen’s work won the “Most Inspirational Paper Award” (as the sole recipient, with a 1000 EURO cash prize) as well as the “Best Paper Award” (with a 100 EURO cash prize) of the EURAM Organizational Behavior Special Interest Group. This paper is being prepared for submission to a top-ranked management journal. In collaboration with researchers from the University of Toronto, University of Central Florida, and University of Haifa (Israel), Dr. Chen (lead author) recently submitted a manuscript, entitled “An enumerative review and a meta-analysis of primed goal effects on organizational behaviour” to the highlyregarded Applied Psychology: An International Review, the official journal of the International Association of Applied Psychology. Dr. Chen received UPEI’s SSHRC Explore Research Grant to study the effect of priming subconscious goals on team creativity. Dr. Chen was nominated finalist for the EURAM Best Reviewer Award. Dr. Chen recently also taught Organizational Behavior at the UPEI campus at the University of Canada, Egypt, in Cairo (June 2019).
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SAM KOLAHGAR is a new assistant professor of finance in the Faculty of Business. Mr. Kolahgar is currently completing his PhD in Finance from Concordia University; he holds an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, USA; an MSc in finance from Shahid Beheshti University, Iran; and a Bachelor of Business from Tehran University, Iran. He currently teaches corporate finance and integrated cases in finance and has previously taught financial management, finance theory, and corporate finance at Concordia University to undergraduate- and graduatelevel students. His research interests include corporate finance and capital structure, corporate governance and stakeholder relationship, mergers and acquisitions and spin-offs, and fintech. He has published in Journal of Public and Municipal Finance, as well as Pensions: An International Journal, and has presented his research at many national and international conferences such as the World Finance Banking Symposium, the International Corporate Governance Society, and the European Financial Management Association. Mr. Kolahgar has extensive consulting experience in investment, venture capital, private equity, business analysis, and managerial accounting fields. DR. MELISSA JAMES, assistant professor of marketing, successfully defended her dissertation entitled “Understanding International Student Recruitment as Export Marketing Behaviour in Higher Education Institutions”. She received her PhD from Lancaster University, UK, in October 2018. Dr. James currently has several manuscripts related to international marketing of higher education under peer-review and will expand her research into the internationalization of higher education in the coming months.
DR. TINA SAKSIDA, assistant professor of management and the faculty director of the Executive MBA program in the UPEI Faculty of Business, gave a talk on women and negotiation at the 2019 Prince Edward Island Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) Spring Symposium (May 2019 in Charlottetown, PEI), co-delivered a professional development workshop on an evidence-based approach to case competition at the 80th annual national convention of the Canadian Psychological Association (June 2019 in Halifax, NS), and presented her research on intergenerational differences in youth attitudes towards unions at the 79th annual meeting of the Academy of Management, where she also received a Top 10 Reviewer Award in the Public and Nonprofit division (August 2019 in Boston, Mass.). She currently has two papers under revise-and-resubmit status in leading journals in labour relations and is working on a book chapter on the role of collective bargaining in the digitized workplace. She also recently won a large Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant (with her colleague Dr. Hayden Woodley as co-applicant) to study gender representation in business education. DR. HAYDEN WOODLEY, assistant professor of management, (along with his research partners Dr. Alex Benson of Western University, and Alaina Roach O’Keefe from the PEI Public Service Commission) received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership
Engage Grant worth $23,753 to study the effects of personality on the transfer of a leadership development program. Dr. Woodley is the first researcher to be awarded the grant in UPEI history. He had a paper published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal (organizational psychology) entitled “The emergence of group potency and its implications for team effectiveness” (2019). He also recently won a large Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant (with his colleague Dr. Tina Saksida as co-applicant) to study gender representation in business education. DR. LIUFANG (SOPHIA) YAO, assistant professor of operations management, coauthored the paper “Product recall timing optimization using dynamic programming” with Dr. Parlar of DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, that was published in the prestigious International Journal of Production Economics (IJPE). In their paper, they identify the number of qualityrelated products returned as an indicator of product defect rate and use it to assist decision-making on when to initiate product recalls, i.e., the optimal product recall timing. Publishing in high-impact journals, such as IJPE, is a strong indicator of the quality of this research and bolsters the Faculty of Business and UPEI’s reputation nationally and internationally.
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EXECUTIVE MBA
MBA IN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE 902-894-2866
mba@upei.ca
upei.ca/emba upei.ca/globalmba
One place. Every opportunity.
