Cleveland State University business students will travel to London in May to conduct applied business research projects and provide interested local companies the opportunity to gain valuable marketing data while there.

The students, part of the Nance College of Business Administration’s study abroad program, are participating in an international marketing and business research class with Dr. Thomas W. Whipple, chair and professor of marketing at the College. In January, they will begin designing research projects that focus on real-life business issues facing Cleveland area firms; they will be looking to partner with business clients in February. The students will work in advance of their May trip abroad with the companies to clearly define the type of marketing data that will benefit the firms the most. In May, they will visit business libraries, contact businesses, and conduct interviews in London as part of their research.

This program provides an excellent opportunity for local firms to obtain international research conducted for them at no cost.

Real payoffs from the program have benefited many companies in past years. For example, last year, a student group prepared a “How To” guide for introducing Cleveland Medical Device’s Wireless Medical Device for Sleep Disorders to England. The group identified a physician at the London Sleep Centre who agreed to serve as a foreign liaison to help obtain regulatory approval and to market the device in England.

A limited number of opportunities exist for local companies to participate in the program; those interested should contact Dr. Whipple at 216.687.4770 or t.whipple@csuohio.edu.

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