Winning cases and authors were recognized by the Deans of the Ross School of Business and the School of Natural Resources and Environment in an event held on April 15, 2013.

The Erb Institute Sustainability Case Awards recognize and promote the creation of key teaching materials on global sustainability and social impact. Sponsored by the Erb Institute's Strategic Advisory Council, objectives are to raise the visibility and increase adoption of sustainable enterprise teaching cases produced at U-M, and to encourage more U-M people to write such cases. Criteria included clarity of teaching objectives, timeliness of topic, quality of writing, strength of storyline, and potential to reach a broad audience.

First place went to REI Rentals by Erb students Mary Fritz and Rich Grousset under direction of Ross Faculty: Wally Hopp and Damian Beil. The case emphasizes operations and management principles while asking students to determine whether renting recreational equipment is more sustainable than selling. The authors will share a $1,500 first prize.

Second place, and a $500 prize, went to Patagonia (A) and (B), written by graduate students Allyson Johnson, Courtney Lee, Steven Rippberger and Morgane Treanton under Andy Hoffman's supervision. The study leads students through an analysis of Patagonia's decision to partner with eBay to launch the Common Threads Initiative, which promotes buying and selling second-hand Patagonia merchandise.

Third place, $250 winners were William Davidson Institute Senior Research Fellow Ted London and Research Associates John L. Parker and Jenn Korona for Constructing a Base-of-the-Pyramid Business in a Multinational Corporation: CEMEX's Patrimonio Hoy Looks to Grow. The case, explores CEMEX's efforts to meet the consumer needs of low income families building cement homes.