notes

1. Teaching
Case
Studies

2. Essentials of writing a
good case study

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.

6. Examples

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.

13. Thank
You…