A case study by Sanja Čović & Dr. Rick
Lagiewski got an honorary mention at the 2020 ICHRIE Johnson & Wales Case
Study Competition
August 20, 2020
Sanja Čović, who graduated from HTM program in 2020, has
spent the last semester of her studies at the Rochester campus. Among taking
other courses, she also took her senior capstone project, which is considered
to be the crown of education at the HTM program. Sanjas’s successful senior capstone project
resulted in her collaboration with RIT's Dr. Rick Lagiewski during the spring
Covid-19 lock down to develop a case study on the topic "Readiness and
Response: The case of hotel emergency management during Hurricanes”. It was
submitted to the ICHRIE Johnson & Wales Case Study Competition and it received an honorary mention. As planned, the case study will also be published in their Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases.
When asked about her experience while doing this case study,
Sanja did not hesitate to share her insight:
"Prior to coming to the US, I knew I wanted to conduct a
senior project research that would have a focus on hotel corporate social
responsibility, since I was really interested in and recognized the importance
of giving back to communities while I was doing my co-ops. When the opportunity
arose for me to do the research on how hotels are helping others during
hurricanes, I immediately wanted to embrace the opportunity. Now looking back,
I am extremely grateful for having been able to benefit from Dr. Lagiewski's
knowledge, expertise, and the significant amount of support received throughout
the project. I was truly enthusiastic about taking part in developing a case
study and submitting it to the ICHRIE Competition and I am incredibly happy we
were able to continue with our mission even when the world went into a
lockdown. We wrote a case study with a teaching component. I believe it is a
privilege that we are able to contribute to hospitality education, as we put
the emphasis on crisis management and disaster resilience, since our industry
is so vulnerable and fragmented, and especially right now, when we are all
experiencing a crisis of a high magnitude.
This case study is probably the most valuable souvenir I
could have brought from my study abroad. Studying here at the main campus was
unlike any other experience I've had, since I've encountered so many different
cultures and abundance of opportunities in one place. Even though the
experience was cut short due to this unprecedented situation, the connections
and friendships I've made are lifelong, and I will always be thankful that
everyone was welcoming and supportive at the RIT.
Right now I am back home in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and I am
searching for my next career move abroad. It is much harder given the current
situation, but I have no minor doubt our industry will recover and remain
resilient”.
You can check out the honorary mention and the list of all
winners HERE.
Iskusi
