University of Seoul (UOS) offers an inventory management strategy to help cash-strapped startups survive

[Financial News] A decision-making model has been developed to help early-stage startups with limited financial resources purchase inventory efficiently while avoiding the risk of bankruptcy.
UOS announced on the 29th that a paper on optimizing inventory procurement for startups, researched by doctoral student Han Won-hee of the Graduate School's Department of Business Administration and Professor Im Hee-jong of the College of Business Administration, had won the 2026 Best Paper Award from the Journal of the Korean Management Science Society.
The study scientifically demonstrated that when cash-strapped startups purchase products, they need to consider not only unit prices but also trade credit terms and their own risk of bankruptcy. It used a mathematical model to solve the complex choices companies face when suppliers offer different discounts and credit periods, deriving the optimal order quantity.
Academics said the award demonstrated emerging researchers' ability to conduct research closely connected to real-world practice, noting that a paper with a doctoral student as first author had received the society's top honor. The awards ceremony took place on the 24th at the Korean Management Science Society's Fall Conference, held at SK Business Hall at Seoul National University.
Doctoral student Han Won-hee said, “I began this research with the thought that for early-stage companies with limited funds, the terms on which they procure inventory are a matter of survival,” adding, “I hope it will provide practical help in developing procurement strategies for startups.” Professor Im Hee-jong said, “It is meaningful that, after delving deeply into problems faced by startups, a doctoral student's research has been recognized as the best paper.”  

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter