3. What is a case study?
Yin defines a case study as an empirical
inquiry that:
investigates a contemporary
phenomenon within its real-life context,
especially when
the boundaries between phenomenon
and context are not clearly evident" (Yin,
1994, p. 13).
4. What is a
business case
study?
A business case study "is a description of an
actual situation, commonly involving a
decision, a challenge, an opportunity, a
problem or an issue faced by a person (or
persons) in an organization.
Case studies can be used in teaching and
research.
https://www.iveycases.com/TeachingAuthoringTools.aspx
What is a case study?
5. Teaching and research cases
Teaching cases Research cases
• Pedagogical (written primarily
for students.
• Designed to illustrate an
existing theory or principles.
• Published on its own as a
teaching case, often with
notes for the instructor.
• Qualitative methodology
(written primarily for
researchers).
• Designed to contribute to a
new theory or explore / test
an existing theory.
• Published as part of a
research article in a journal,
conference or book.
Here we will focus on teaching case
studies.
7. Why case study is needed?
Case study can be used to bridge the
gap between academia and practice.
Cases enable students to put
themselves in the place of actual
managers.
Cases are still one of the best ways to
enable students to learn by doing.
8. What is included in a teaching
case study?
A typical case starts with a paragraph describing the problem
facing an executive.
The case often then gives background information on the
industry, the company and the executives involved.
The case then typically returns to the dilemma faced by the
manager (include comments from company executives).
The case concludes with a re-iteration of the problem addressed
at the outset of the case.
It may include financial statements, organization charts, process
flow charts and similar information.
Cases may vary in length: 8 pages of text & 15 pages, including
pictures and exhibits.
9. Potential Case Outline
1. Introduction:
Start with the protagonist (the person making the decision & the
critical issue, around 1/2 page).
2. Company background and history:
General information about founding, evolution, key events that
shaped the company (2 pages).
3. Industry Information:
Need to understand the context within which the company
operates. What are the economics of the industry (2 pages)?
4. Company specifics related to decision:
More in-depth information than in #2 above and directly related
to critical issue (around 2 pages).
5. Conclusion:
Return to the protagonist and clearly state the critical issue (-
1/2 pages).
10. Components of the Teaching
Notes
Synopsis (summary of the case study).
Learning Objectives (3-5 LOs)
Target Audience (undergraduate or graduate students).
Relevant theory/Concepts (what theory/ies or concepts
relevant to the case study).
Data Collection Methods (primary/secondary/both)
Assignment Questions (related to the case study)
Suggested Answers (based on the case information)
11. Do’s
and
Don’ts
• The case should have teaching
value.
• Should tell a real story.
• You should have an interesting and
dynamic story to tell.
• There should be a decision
making dilemma.
• Should consider a neutral
perspective while telling the story.
• Should provide teaching note.
12. Do’s
and
Don’ts
• Do not write fictional case.
• Do not write descriptive
case.
• Do not be biased.
• Do not provide the
assignment questions at
end of the case
narrative.
• Do not provide solution to
the problem in the case.
What students would do if they were in the shoes of the decision maker (in the place of the decision maker).
Students have to apply business principles and theories to the issues raised in the case study. How theories in the textbooks can be applied in the practice.
You should think of what theories or concepts are going to teach through the case? Learning objectives to be shown in the teaching notes
Its Better to write a case study as an interesting story
Total case study length – 7-10 pages
The case has to have a challenging problem, issue or dilemma to induce students to solve this dilemma without providing the answer in the case itself.
The case has to have a lot of data and background info which is heavy in factual info to help students solve the case.
It has to be an open-ended case which provides many opportunities for discussion and many options for action.