[SK Paper Award Interview] Professor Injun Noh: “Moving Forward with Curiosity and Patience”  In 2025, Professor Injun Noh of Korea University Business School co-authored the paper “Are All Generic Drugs Created Equal? An Empirical Analysis of Generic Drug Manufacturing Location and Serious Drug Adverse Events” (with John Gray, George Ball, Zachary Wright, and Hyunwoo Park), which was accepted for publication in the international journal Production & Operations Management and received the Paper Award at the SK Awards. Building on the good news of having also won a Paper Award earlier in the year, Professor Noh shared deeper reflections on the philosophy behind this latest research    Q1. First of all, congratulations on receiving the Paper Award. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your paper?  This study examines the quality issues of generic drugs, which are taken daily by millions of people worldwide. Because of intense price competition and declining profitability, the manufacturing of generics has steadily shifted from advanced economies such as the United States to emerging markets like India. However, information on supply chains—such as where a drug is manufactured—is not clearly disclosed to healthcare providers or consumers, making it difficult to empirically assess how these shifts affect patient safety and product quality.  In our research, we identified a novel data source that enabled us to trace the manufacturing locations of generic drugs and to compare quality outcomes by production site. Using the FDA’s equivalence criteria (same active ingredient, same formulation, and same route of administration), we found that generics manufactured in India showed a significantly higher incidence of serious adverse events compared with identical drugs manufactured in the United States.  This pattern was especially pronounced among older generic drugs facing greater market competition. These findings suggest that in less regulated environments typical of some emerging markets, drug quality—though less immediately visible—may deteriorate in the course of cost-cutting or supply chain optimization.    Q2. What is the most important message this study conveys to academia and industry?  This study is the first to provide large-scale empirical evidence on the quality issues of generic drugs manufactured in emerging markets—particularly India—an area that had previously been discussed only on the basis of anecdotal evidence.  The findings attracted extensive coverage in major global media outlets, especially in the United States. Notably, the core results of the study were cited in discussions by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, underscoring its significance and impact.  At a time when healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly dependent on generic drugs as affordable treatment options, this research underscores the urgent need for greater transparency in drug supply chain information, differentiated regulatory approaches that account for manufacturing location and the intensity of price competition, and the establishment of more robust quality monitoring systems.    Q3. Do you have any personal methods for overcoming slumps that are common in academic life or research?  There are times when the numerous responsibilities of being a professor—managing projects, teaching, reviewing papers, and advising students—can feel both physically and mentally overwhelming. At such times, taking a short break to exercise helps me clear my mind and regain focus.    Q4. Are there any new research topics or directions you hope to explore in the future?  While my current research focuses primarily on the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, I hope to broaden its scope to encompass the Korean pharmaceutical sector and, more broadly, the healthcare industry as a whole.    Q5. Do you have any words of advice for students who wish to pursue a career as researchers?  I believe it is essential to observe the world with keen attention and to cultivate a habit of identifying meaningful and intriguing questions. At the same time, achieving lasting research outcomes requires going beyond momentary curiosity and dedicating oneself to sustained effort with patience and perseverance.    A summary of Professor Injun Noh’s paper is introduced below.  Generic drugs provide lifesaving, affordable treatments to millions of people each day. Over the past several decades, the manufacturing of generic drugs has been steadily shifting from advanced economies, such as the United States, to emerging economies, such as India. However, due to the opacity of global drug supply chains, the quality risks associated with manufacturing in emerging economies have not been systematically and empirically examined.  This study aims to fill this gap. To do so, we construct a novel dataset containing information on drug manufacturing locations, which enables us to compare the frequency of serious adverse events among generic drugs produced in different regions. Using exact matching analyses based on the equivalency criteria established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we find that generic drugs manufactured in India—where most emerging-economy generics are produced—are associated with significantly higher rates of serious adverse events than their equivalents produced in the United States, where most advanced-economy generics are made.  We further find that this key result is driven by mature generic drugs, which are particularly susceptible to operational and supply chain cost-cutting efforts—efforts that may, unfortunately, compromise drug quality. Our findings offer important implications for regulatory policies, particularly regarding the FDA’s oversight of generic drugs. 

Global MBA & MIM Welcome Event Brings Together Incoming Students from 15 Countries  The Matriculation and Orientation for Korea University Business School (KUBS)’s Global MBA and CEMS Global MIM programs were held on Friday, August 29, at SUPEX Hall, LG-POSCO Building. Dean Eonsoo Kim, Associate Dean Gangseog Ryu, and Professors Tony C. Garrett and Betty Chung (Academic Directors), together with the incoming students, gathered to mark a fresh start.  The ceremony opened with a welcome address from Dean Kim, who welcomed 48 incoming students from 15 countries and 13 CEMS exchange students, noting, “The connections you forge through these programs will become a special asset and an opportunity to broaden your global perspective.” He added, “Just as Korea University changed my life, it will bring meaningful change to yours,” offering thanks in multiple languages.  In his subsequent remarks, Professor Tony C. Garrett, Academic Director for CEMS Global MIM, said, “Graduating from Korea University will open many doors of opportunity,” adding, “As Korea is in a golden era, I hope you will come to understand the country in depth.” Professor Betty Chung, Academic Director for the Global MBA, noted, “The faculty and your peers will become like family,” and encouraged students to “pursue experiences that are meaningful not only academically but also personally, and to actively share your cultures and traditions with one another.”  During the orientation, the KUBS International Affairs Team provided international students with essential information for their studies, including visas, insurance, and ID issuance. Students then split into Global MBA and CEMS Global MIM groups for program-specific sessions. The program directors provided detailed overviews of the curriculum; signature offerings such as “Global CEO & Top Leadership Talk” and the “Career Acceleration Program”; degree requirements; and the use of academic systems.  After the Q&A, students split into four groups for a campus tour led by KUBE, the KUBS student ambassadors. They visited key facilities—including LG-POSCO Building, the Business Main Building, and Hyundai Motor Hall—as well as dedicated classrooms and student amenities, getting acquainted with the spaces where they will study and spend their time. They also made a brief visit to the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, including Central Plaza, asking questions freely and getting a feel for campus culture with guidance from the ambassadors.  In the afternoon, an alumni panel followed. Eight graduates, including former student president Jungwook Na, shared their experiences. The alumni highlighted the Global CEO & Top Leadership Talk, global workshops, and mentoring and networking as program strengths, advising students to “be someone who gives your best, not just the minimum.” They also offered practical tips on credit-completion strategies and participating in signature KU events such as Ipsilenti and the Ko–Yon Games, and answered questions from the incoming class. Afterwards, staff guided students through essential academic procedures—portal registration, the grade inquiry system, course registration, and degree requirements—after which they signed the Academic Pledge.  In the evening, teams delivered presentations. Using pre-assigned letters of the alphabet as a starting point, students chose team names and introduced one another. They described teammates with creative keywords—such as “free-spirited” and “can’t sit still”—and each team also highlighted its favorite spot on campus.  The program concluded with an immersion in Korea University’s cheering tradition. Led by the KU cheering squad and accompanied by the Elisée Band, students learned the alma mater and signature chants, and even took part in the signature “FM” routine. The program directors then evaluated team activities on creativity, presentation skills, and teamwork, announced the winning team, and closed with an awards presentation and words of encouragement: “We are very excited for the journey ahead.” 

E-MBA 21st Cohort and AMP 99th Cohort Donate to Advance Their Alma Mater and Support Future Students  Alumni of the Korea University Business School have put their generosity into action to support their alma mater and future students. The 21st Cohort of the Executive MBA (E-MBA) donated KRW 30 million, and the 99th Cohort of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) contributed KRW 15 million, bolstering academic excellence and the cultivation of future talent.  This donation was made to enhance the learning environment at Korea University Business School (KUBS) and to support students’ academic pursuits and personal growth. The alumni’s heartfelt gifts reflect their deep affection for their alma mater and their commitment to nurturing the next generation of students.  The E-MBA is a flagship program at Korea University Business School (KUBS), and its alumni continue to support their alma mater after graduation through robust networks and engagement. Each cohort has made a class gift upon graduation, and the 21st Cohort’s gift of KRW 30 million was designated for the Development Fund to help students focus on their studies in an enhanced learning environment. The gift presentation was held during the E-MBA Unity Gathering in June.  Likewise, the 99th Cohort of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Korea University Business School (KUBS) demonstrated its strong ties to its alma mater with a generous gift of KRW 15 million. The AMP is a premier executive education program where leaders from diverse sectors in Korea and abroad convene to exchange knowledge and experience. Drawing on what they have gained through the program, AMP alumni actively give back to society and the University. This gift will be directed to scholarships to support the next generation of students.  The sustained engagement and support of E-MBA and AMP alumni are a powerful driver of KUBS’s evolution into a world-class institution. Together, these generous gifts help cultivate more talented students, who in turn give back to society—reinforcing a virtuous cycle of giving and growth. 

Korea University Business School Renews AACSB Accreditation for the Fifth Consecutive Term – The Only School in Korea Accredited Across All Degree Programs    Korea University Business School (KUBS) has renewed its Business Accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for the fifth consecutive time.    Since becoming the first institution in Korea to receive AACSB accreditation in 2005 across all degree programs—undergraduate, graduate, and MBA—KUBS has successfully maintained its accreditation in 2010, 2015, 2020, and now again in 2025. This achievement reaffirms KUBS’s position as a leading business school in Korea that meets global standards.    AACSB accreditation can result in three possible outcomes: ▲ six-year accreditation (transition from the previous five-year period) ▲ Conditional accreditation (valid for up to 3 years) ▲ Revocation of accreditation . KUBS received the highest level—6-year accreditation.      The AACSB peer review team highlighted the following as major strengths of KUBS: ▲ A clear operational strategy ▲ Strong collaboration with industry ▲ Detailed tracks within the undergraduate and MBA programs ▲ The MSBA program’s in-depth focus on data and technology.  In addition, the strong commitment and passion demonstrated by faculty, staff, and students were also commended.    Dean Eonsoo Kim of KUBS stated, “Korea University is the only institution in Korea to have earned AACSB accreditation for five consecutive terms across undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs,” and added, “We will continue to uphold our status as Korea’s first and leading business school, striving to become a truly global institution.”    Founded in 1916 by deans of leading U.S. universities, AACSB is a nonprofit organization that establishes standards of excellence in business education and grants accreditation through a rigorous peer-review process. Prestigious business schools such as Yale, Columbia, Boston University, and UCLA hold this accreditation. As of September 2025, a total of 1,064 business schools across 70 countries are accredited by AACSB.   

Building a Complete Web App in One Hour with AI – Entrepreneurship Academy On-Demand Lecture      The On-Demand Lecture session of the Entrepreneurship Academy, hosted by the KUBS Startup Institute, was held on Tuesday, September 16th, in the Kolon Lecture Room (B307), Hyundai Motor Hall. The special lecture featured Malaka, a Korea University alumnus and expert in tech-based startups, who gave a talk titled “Vibe Coding: Launching a Web Service in One Hour.” Beyond a simple transfer of theory, the lecture was designed as a hands-on session using the latest AI development tools, enabling students to experience building a web app themselves through Vibe Coding.  Malaka, who has founded two startups, emphasized that the key lessons he learned were the importance of the “customer” and the “MVP (Minimum Viable Product).” He introduced vibe coding as “coding based on intuition” and described it as “a simple yet powerful tool for building MVPs.” He further explained, “Just as one can sketch out screens at low cost using simple tools like Post-it notes before creating an app, vibe coding leverages AI to replace that process and helps build an MVP.”      Following Malaka’s Notion lecture notes, students set up their development environments on their computers and used the Gemini CLI to build a Korea University web page. They gave AI instructions to add features such as the university anthem, cheering song, and even a makgeolli song, customizing the site as they liked. Then, they configured the deployment environment using Firebase and created and deployed a small community web app by entering their plans into Cursor. Students actively asked questions and resolved issues as they arose.  In the latter part of the session, Malaka shared key tips for effective vibe coding. He highlighted essential elements for success: layout components, HTML components, development components, design components, understanding AI, and giving clear instructions to AI (e.g., avoid using negations or ambiguous pronouns, and always specify the target clearly).      Malaka stressed, “AI now plays the roles of developer, designer, planner, and even tool. Knowing how to communicate with and control AI effectively is more important than ever.” He added, “If you apply sound planning methods, you can guide the outcome of vibe coding to match your intent—quickly and cost-effectively.  Even after the lecture ended, Malaka continued to engage with interested participants in a personal discussion session, saying, “Those still thirsty for vibe coding are welcome,” wrapping up the special lecture.  A representative from the Startup Research Institute said, ‘We recorded a high attendance rate, with 115 of the 117 registrants taking part in the event. This reflects the speaker’s outstanding subject-matter expertise and facilitation skills, as well as students’ strong motivation to learn in AI and software development.’ The representative added, ‘Students showed sustained enthusiasm throughout the session, and the satisfaction survey returned an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Meanwhile, the Lecture on Demand series hosted by the Startup Station will be held at least once a month regularly throughout the year. On September 30th, designer Seongjoo Lim will give a talk titled “A New Design Workflow Shaped by Prompts.” Future guest speakers will also include Ju-Hyung Lee, CEO of Kong Ventures; Min-Jung Seo, art director; and Dong-Wook Kim, CEO of Wisely.   

Executives from Guatemala’s Leading Agricultural Company Agrocentro S.A. Explore Korean Business Innovation at Korea University      Korea University Business School’s Executive Education Center (KU EEC) successfully concluded the “2025 Agrocentro S.A. Executive Learning Experience Study Tour,” a five-day program held from September 1–5 in collaboration with Guatemala’s leading agricultural company, Agrocentro S.A.  Founded in 1981, Agrocentro S.A. provides crop protection solutions such as herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers, and has expanded its operations across Central America. A total of 11 participants joined the program, including 10 senior executives and one guest. Tailored to the company’s needs, the program focused on strengthening capabilities in competitive strategies for large corporations, business analytics for data-driven decision-making, and strategic applications in the age of AI.       On the first day, a welcome dinner was held at Cuckoo Hall on the 6th floor of the LG-POSCO Building at Korea University Business School. Associate Dean Gangseog Ryu introduced the professors who would lead the five-day program, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In response, a representative of Agrocentro S.A. thanked the hosts for the warm welcome and raised a toast with “Salud!” to successful cooperation between the two sides.  At the dinner, Associate Dean Ryu highlighted that Korea University Business School was the first of its kind in the nation and boasts a strong alumni network. He added, “It is significant that for 14 consecutive years, HR managers of Korea’s top 300 companies have named Korea University Business School the most preferred university,” and shared KU’s pride with the words, “Once Korea University, Forever Korea University.”      The following five days featured an intensive learning program. Across eight lectures, participants explored essential topics for future business, including Digital Transformation Strategies, Innovate with Purpose: Sustainability Strategy, and AI Applications in Business. They also gained practical insights into Business Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making, Creating Firm Value through Customer Value, Supply Chain Management in the New Normal Era, and Innovation and Competitive Strategy, enhancing their ability to adapt to the changing global business environment.  The faculty praised the participants’ dedication and enthusiasm. Professor Gunwoong Lee noted, “In the ‘AI and Big Data Utilization’ session, I witnessed the executives’ remarkable focus and their determination to apply the concepts in practice. Watching them immediately discuss decision-making approaches and plans for investing in human and technological resources, I clearly understood why Agrocentro has grown into a global company.” He went on to say, “I was also impressed by the many cultural similarities between Guatemala and Korea, and by how the younger generation there has warmly embraced Korean culture, including K-pop.”  Professor Jaemin Lee noted, “The executives applied the lecture content directly to their work and engaged in lively, forward-looking discussions,” expressing hope for continued exchanges in the future. Professor Jang-hyuk Lee remarked, “It was especially noteworthy that, while operating in a B2B industry, they were also actively integrating new IT technologies from the B2C sector.”  Professor Min-jung Kim emphasized, “What stood out most was how participants openly shared the strategic challenges their company faces and explored solutions together, turning the lecture into a platform for collaborative problem-solving.” She added, “This moment underscored the core value of Executive Learning — the power to translate knowledge into real-world impact.”  In addition to the classroom sessions, participants toured Korea University’s Seoul Campus and experienced its vibrant academic culture. On September 4, they attended a seminar at Hyundai Motor Company’s Gangnam office, visited the UX Studio and Naver headquarters to see innovation at leading global companies firsthand, and later toured the National Museum of Korea to gain deeper insight into the country’s rich history and culture. Participants said they were deeply impressed by the dynamic growth of Korean companies on the global stage and the grandeur of the National Museum.      The farewell ceremony took place on the final day in Room 209 of Hyundai Motor Hall, where certificates of completion and commemorative gifts were presented. While some participants had previously visited Korea once or twice, this was their first time visiting Korea University. Notably, Mr. Jose Rodolfo Perez Penabad, who once lived in Korea and is married to a Korean, joined the study tour with his son, Ignacio Perez Kim, which particularly stood out.   Mr. Jose Rodolfo Perez Penabad said, “As someone already familiar with Korea, I suggested visiting Korea University,” adding, “It was truly meaningful to experience firsthand the prestige of Korea’s top university.” He noted that they take part in short-term overseas programs every two years—having chosen Madrid, Spain in 2023, Korea University this year, and planning to visit the UK or China in 2027.  The Agrocentro executives expressed heartfelt gratitude for their time at Korea University. “Our program at Korea University was truly world-class, and the outcomes greatly exceeded our expectations,” they shared. “Thanks to the thoughtful hospitality, warm welcome, and excellent organization, this was a highly enriching and memorable experience.” They added, “We look forward to maintaining ongoing exchanges with Korea University until the next opportunity for collaboration.”  This program is part of the “Study Tour” series operated by Korea University Executive Education Center, enabling executives from overseas universities, companies, and institutions to learn firsthand about Korea’s latest management strategies and innovation practices. Each year, Korea University Business School collaborates with global corporations and universities to provide customized short-term programs, positioning itself as a hub for global business education.  In October, BMI Brussels ASBL and SKOLKOVO will visit Korea University, followed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in November. These exchanges are expected to further expand the school’s global cooperation network.