In a collaboration aimed at maximizing social impact, students and faculty from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management's Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina dedicated a Friday afternoon to present their research findings to nonprofit organization Delivering Good, which provides people impacted by poverty and tragedy with new merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers.
The occasion marked the culmination of a semester-long endeavor where students delved into analyzing Delivering Good's social media strategies using Keyhole social media monitoring software. Their objective was clear: to gauge the reach, engagement, and overall impact of Delivering Good's online presence, providing valuable insights for future enhancements.
Led by associate professor Sang-Eun Byun, the dedicated team of retailing majors and minors included Alice Stephenson, Tati Stancin, Amelia Marsh and Ashley Snead. Their presentation showcased meticulous research, offering Delivering Good actionable recommendations to further amplify its outreach efforts.
The partnership between USC's Department of Retailing and Delivering Good commenced earlier in the year, symbolizing a commitment to foster meaningful collaborations for societal good. Byun expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "Working with Delivering Good was an exceptionally rewarding experience for our students." She emphasized the department's eagerness to expand the partnership by engaging students in real-world challenges and contributing to community welfare.
Department chair Jeff Campbell echoed Byun's sentiments, affirming the College of HRSM's dedication to supporting Delivering Good's mission. "We are excited to support Delivering Good's mission through our research capabilities and student input," he said. "Any time we can create student engagement and research opportunities with corporate partners, we are more than willing to do so."
As both organizations look forward to continued collaboration, the initiative exemplifies the Department of Retailing’s aim to leverage research and student talent to drive positive change in society.