IBSS Bridging East and West Business Case Competition

2026 Theme: Engma Group's Symbiosis Philosophy and Global ESG Strategy

1. Competition introduction: building sustainable business with ESG strategies

Core challenge: crafting a global ESG strategy for Engma Group
As aspiring strategic consultants, how can you leverage the philosophy of "symbiosis" to craft a practical, globally focused Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy for Engma Group that drives business success while achieving mutually beneficial relationship between society and the environment?

Background

Engma Group leads the way in sustainable innovation with its philosophy of “symbiosis and mutual growth”, built on the belief that true economic success depends on a healthy relationship with society and the environment. The iconic HuiGui Building, a flagship ESG project, is a testament to this philosophy, as it seamlessly integrates cutting-edge green technology and resource circularity to deliver both environmental and economic value.

This competition invites students from around the globe to bring fresh ideas and practical solutions to the table, challenging them to design an ESG strategy that drives sustainability, adaptability and meaningful global impact.

2. Competition highlights: an immersive industry consulting experience

• Real-world corporate cases: participants will work directly with ESG case studies from Engma Group, analysing the complex challenges of sustainable business transformation.
• End-to-end consulting process: from research to strategy design, participants will experience the full consulting process, strengthening their practical problem-solving skills.
• Exclusive insights from executives: Engma Group executives and academic mentors will host live sessions, offering valuable perspectives on key ESG strategy topics to support participants’ work.
• A fast track to career development: winning teams will gain direct access to internship opportunities at Engma Group, where they can contribute to real business operations and build valuable professional experience.

3. Competition format: full-cycle industry consulting experience

This competition is designed to give participants a complete and immersive consulting experience. Teams will engage in live sessions led by academic mentors and collaborate directly with senior executives from Engma Group, gaining exclusive insights into ESG strategies and real-world business practice.

Key Stages:

• Research and analysis:
  Teams will work with real data and case material from Engma Group to assess its current ESG practices, identify key challenges and define strategic opportunities.
• Solution development:
  Drawing on global ESG trends and local business needs, teams will design innovative and practical solutions that balance corporate social responsibility with actionable outcomes.
• Presentation and Feedback:
  In the preliminary round, teams will submit a PowerPoint presentation and a video pitch outlining their proposed solution. Finalist teams will head to Engma Group’s headquarters in Suzhou to present their strategies in person, receiving direct feedback from executives and academic experts.

This approach not only mirrors the full consulting process but also allows participants to refine their skills in research, problem-solving, and professional communication.

4. Competition process

5. Competition goals

• Driving innovation in ESG strategy design
  Encourage participants to approach real-world business challenges through a global ESG lens. Using the ESG framework, teams will analyse problems and craft solutions that are both innovative and practical, offering actionable strategies to help companies develop new sustainable business models.
• Bridging theory and practice
  By working with real-world cases and first-hand resources provided through the competition, participants will connect academic theory with practical application. They will sharpen their ability to transform conceptual ideas into executable solutions and enhance their capacity for strategic analysis in tackling complex global business challenges.
• Exploring the intersection of symbiosis philosophy and ESG
  Inspired by the philosophy of "symbiosis," participants will explore how sustainable development principles and innovative practices can come together. They will investigate this synergy from diverse cultural and business perspectives, offering fresh, multidimensional insights that bring lasting value to corporate sustainability strategies.
• Developing advanced research and problem-solving skills
  Equip participants with the tools to approach business challenges systematically—identifying, analysing, and solving problems with rigorous research, creative thinking, and actionable insights. Teams will design solutions that are not only feasible but also strategically valuable, laying the groundwork for aligning business goals with social and environmental impact.

6. Eligibility

• Eligibility criteria:
  Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from universities worldwide. Teams must consist of three to four members, and cross-university or interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged.
• Language requirements:
  The competition can be conducted in either Chinese or English; however, all submissions must include both Chinese and English versions of the materials.
• Task requirements:
  Teams are required to design an innovative strategic plan aligned with the theme of "Engma Group’s Global ESG Strategy", integrating insights and resources provided by Engma Group’s industry scenarios and research data.
• Submission materials:
  Teams must submit a PowerPoint presentation and a video showcasing their proposal. All deliverables must be submitted within the specified deadlines.

7. Awards and career opportunities

• First Prize (one Team): ¥10,000 RMB + Certificate + Fast-Track Internship at Engma Group
• Second Prize (two Teams): ¥3,000 RMB per team + Certificate + Fast-Track Internship at Engma Group
• Third Prize (three Teams): ¥1,000 RMB per team + Certificate + Fast-Track Internship at Engma Group
• Excellence Awards (Multiple Teams): Gift packs + Certificate
• Outstanding Knowledge Contribution Award: All participants who actively contribute meaningful insights will receive a certificate issued by IBSS recognising their professionalism and dedication.
• Corporate Consulting Project Participation Certificate: All participating teams will receive a Corporate Consulting Project Participation Certificate issued by Engma Group, in recognition of their dedication and contributions to the project.

Special note:
All participants from the winning teams will gain direct access to Engma Group’s Fast-Track Internship Programme, offering them the opportunity to work on real-world projects and acquire valuable business experience.

8. Organisers and supporting partners

Organiser:

International Business School Suzhou (IBSS)
Founded in 2013, XJTLU International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) is the largest English-language business school in China, as well as one of a prestigious group of Triple Crown Accredited business schools worldwide. Located in Suzhou Industrial Park, alongside thousands of domestic and international businesses, IBSS forms a bridge between China and the world with its unique blend of British academic excellence and international expertise.

As a top-ranked business school, IBSS equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in business, the public sector and entrepreneurship.. As part of the vibrant XJTLU community, the School offers rich opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration in research, learning and teaching. It’s a academically rigorous and highly applied environment, shaped by close engagement with industry, preparing Chinese students for international business and international students for doing business in or with China.

Internal co-organisers

The Department of Strategic Management and Organisation, IBSS

Specialising in corporate strategy, organisational management, and innovation, this division provides both theoretical and practical insights to foster business and social development. It aims to nurture strategic decision-makers and leaders in business organisations.

BA (Hons) International Business with a Language Programme

This programme develops students’ critical thinking skills and practical competencies in global resource allocation, cross-cultural collaboration, and international market expansion, preparing them to thrive in complex global business environments.

Industry research ecosystem partner (co-organiser): Engma Group

Engma Group
Founded in 2002, Engma Group is one of China’s leading human resource outsourcing companies. With dual headquarters in Suzhou and Shanghai, the company has built a broad presence nationwide, operating over 210 branches across 88 cities. Engma’s team includes more than 1,200 management professionals, overseeing 200,000 dispatched employees, while providing training and talent solutions to over 250,000 people annually. Over the years, Engma has helped facilitate employment for more than 5 million individuals.

As the first Chinese global corporate member of the World Employment Confederation (WEC) and China’s first HR service provider to receive ISO 30415 certification for Diversity and Inclusion, Engma has consistently set benchmarks in the industry. Recognised as one of the Top 10 HR Brands in China for several consecutive years, the group achieved 10.2 billion RMB in revenue in 2025, with tax contributions exceeding 400 million RMB.

The company’s headquarters, the HuiGui Building, is a testament to its innovative vision. Celebrated for its unique and ground-breaking design, the building was awarded the 2024 Fortune Best Design Award and widely praised as “a building that inspires the world.” Driven by its mission to maximise the value of human capital, Engma is steadfast in its pursuit of becoming “the most trusted and socially recognised provider of happiness-driven enterprises”.

9. Contact us

• Dr Jianwen Zheng
  Email: Jianwen.zheng02@xjtlu.edu.cn
• Dr Xinyi Zhou
  Email: Xinyi.Zhou@xjtlu.edu.cn

10. Ready to compete? Register now!