Steps 4 Analyzing Case Studies

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Compiled by Darren Paproski - Adapted fromthe University of Technology Sydney Writing

Case Studies Module Overview

Why use case studiesLearning objectives of case studies

Steps in analyzing a case

Common errors made in case study analysis

Sample Board lans


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Case Studies

! useful learning tool used in managementeducation to give student a feel for thecomple"ities if the real wor# and how the

theories$ models and research being studied canbe used in practice%


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Learning Objective

&o diagnose what the problems or issues in thecase are$ and why they have occurred$ to considera variety of solutions' and to justify what you

believe to be the best solution%


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Steps in !nalyzing Case Studies

(% )ain an overview of the case

*% +stablish what has happened ,specify objectives-

.% /etermine the causes

0% /evelop possible solutions1% +valuate these solutions

2% 3ormulate recommendations ,write up solutions-

!lternative4 (% What is the business problem' *% What factorsaffect the problem' .% 5ow would your team solve the problem67ustification%


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!s# students to read the case 8uic#ly to gainfamiliarity with major events and characters andto note what seems to be the central problem,s-%

Its a good idea to ask thestudents to read the case to

be discussed prior to comingto class.but in practice thisseldom happens.


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9ote that case studies often contain substantialinformation with information presented insometimes chaotic order%

Case studies usually present information

chronologically%



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*% +stablish what has happened orthe Business roblem

!s# students to go over the case in greater detailto establish a clear picture of what has happened%+stablish the who$ what$ where$ and when of the

situation%


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9B4 &here is at least one fundamental businessproblem in every case%

&he problem may be :5ow to collect money from a

deadbeat customer; but the issue may be broader: 5ow can they reduce accounts receivable agingto .< days or less6

*% +stablish what has happened orthe Business roblem


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Specify an objective for themanagers involved

Once the business problem,s- have been identifiedstudents should thin# about the outcomes theywould most hope to see for the company%

Let students #now they are Consultantson thecase%

=uantify the desired results if possible% :We wishto reduce !>? aging by (1@%


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.% /etermine the causes and issues

!s# students to consider a variety of possiblecauses or issues to see how well they aresupported by the facts of the case and how wellthey e"plain what has happened%

&ry to separate symptoms from problems%?an# order the critical problems>issues


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0% /evelop possible solutions

Students should develop several possible solutionsto the problem,s-%

/ifferent solutions may need to be considered$depending upon whether the aim is4

to have prevented what has already happenedto salvage the present situation

to avoid similar problems in the future%


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1% +valuate these solutions

Consider each possible solution$ detailing e"actlywhat would need to be done to implement it%

Solutions will li#ely be in line with the conceptslearned in the course%


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!s# students to thin# about any constraints orimpediments that are li#ely to ma#e it difficult toimplement any of the possible solutions ,e%g%technological constraints$ personal limitations$ lac#

of resources ,people$ budget-!ssign weights and values to the solutionsWhy are the chosen ideas superior and how will theywor#6

1% +valuate these solutions


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2% 3ormulate recommendations

Students should recommend e"actly how thesolution can be implemented%

! broad view of the situation should be ta#en%

Mention that it may be best to implement a

relatively simple$ ine"pensive solution withcontingency plans for more elaborate solutions ifthe first ones fail

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Write up solutions

At is generally a good idea to have student groupswrite up solutions to cases and handin to theirinstructors%

Af class time permits$ instructors may call on

various groups to present problems and solutionsrecommendations%

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Common +rrors in !nalyzing CaseStudies

9ot understanding and accepting the facts of thecase

9ot e"plaining e"actly what the problems are and

why they have occurredMa#ing unwarranted assumptions to try to simplifythe case

Stic#ing to generalities$ such as :they must try to

improve communication;

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9ot integrating the various points into apreferred solution

9ot using theories and concepts currently being

studied in the courseSee#ing ways out of the situation ,such as :firethem all;- rather than trying to solve the problems

Agnoring practicalities

Common +rrors in !nalyzing CaseStudies

Steps 4 Analyzing Case Studies

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