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Dr. Varun Gupta, an associate professor of logistics and business analytics in the University of North Georgia's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB), recently earned first place in a case competition.

Gupta's case examined monthly car subscription models, specifically focusing on the success Porsche has had in this niche area of the auto industry through its Porsche Drive program. Porsche Drive Subscription complements traditional purchasing and leasing by allowing potential customers to experience the company's luxury vehicles on a month-to-month basis. Gupta taught the case for the first time in fall 2024 in his supply chain and operations course in the Cottrell Master of Business Administration program. The case was made possible in part by summer financial research support from the MCCB.

Vaughan Griffiths, manager of mobility services at Porsche; Dr. Dr. Xiao Zhang, assistant professor at St. Louis University; and students at St. Louis partnered with Gupta on the case study.

They researched why other car subscription models have failed and why Porsche Drive has been successful in this space. Elements of the case included looking at management and marketing strategies, accounting and financial literacy tools, maintenance, and insurance — all elements Gupta said can help his students in their own car-buying experiences.

Griffiths, who also serves on the MCCB Advisory Board, said the case pulled together publicly available data to help students understand some of the dynamics of a car subscription model. He said the case helps underscore the need for students be curious in how they seek solutions to emerging problems.

"It gives students a real-world case of the challenges businesses face," Griffiths said. "One of the more challenging things to teach is the critical thinking, and this case provides a perfect opportunity to gain those skills."