Case Study

Types of Case Study

The Incident Case : Single Incident, illustrate a concept or raise a issue, quick reading, no pre-class preparation

The Background case : impart more information than conventional reading, one can identify more with data in case, framework within which other cases explore specific issues

The Exercise Case : Opportunity to apply specific technique, widely used for quantitative analysis and manipulation of data.

Types of Case Study

The Situation Case : Analysis of information in case, delineate significant relationships existing among various items of data, Involves questions ‘Why did things go wrong, how could this have been avoided’.

The Complex Case : Significant issues immersed in mass of data, much of which is irrelevant, required to distinguish between vital issues from superficial ones, which only distract attention. Sometimes embodied issues are interrelated.

The Decision Case : A step further, one is required to state what one would do , formulate action plan , need to develop variety of feasible approaches and exercise judgment in selecting the one with highest probability of success

Case writing : Deciding on a view point

Omniscient viewpoint : Permits author to see, know and explore everything that serves the storyline, greatest freedom. Telling story from outside, commenting on anything one chooses

Shortcoming : Difficult to involve the reader directly, author’s assessment may pre-empt reader’s own evaluation

Character viewpoint : Tells the story through the eyes of one or more characters, knowing and revealing only what the character knows and feels. They are of 3 types : First and third person viewpoint : Only from one point of view, “I”, “He” or “she” can only relate what he or she knows or feels.

Narrator – observer viewpoint : is minor character in story, whose position special knowledge makes this person a convincing observer. Someone with whom reader can relate to. Eg. Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes stories

Multiple viewpoints : Telling a story from the point of view of several characters. For eg., a manager may be presented with different perspectives and opinions on a situation by various members of his or her staff. Form these the manager will have to form his or her own understanding of the situation and decide the action it requires

Writing Case : Tips and Pointers

Preparation : Plan (Whom to meet, what to talk)Know the company and industryReview annual reports of the firm for the past 3 – 5 yearsLibrary search on firm Compile view of the industry from public sources(It helps in 2 ways : Foundation for section in case and prepares the writer for informed discussions with the executives)Develop a theme

InterviewsInterviews are best conducted two on one (Two case writer where one questions and other writes)Capture every word (Could use Tape recorder)Within 24 hours, fill in the words left out and correct the words that are unreadable.Add notes on context or how the person looked or acted as they spoke

Writing Draft : Read all material Look for :

Interesting themes & Issues – threads that you want to develop

Exhibits - Company documents that summarize important data

Opening – Quote or a statement that introduces the case and sets its entire tone.

Flow

Cases

Start with description of settingThe problem or situation at handGo to company and industry backgroundThree years of financial and current organization chart

Rest of the caseThree general framework - Chronology – Where we were, where we are now, where we need to go.- Organization Structure – Describe the situation by moving through key blocks in organization chart (only when chart is reasonable clear and clean)- Problem Structure – Lay out the problem as the company sees it, the work through alternative or different positions on what should be done

ClosureBefore sending the draft to the company for review, approval of draft by each person whose quote appears in caseThe sign offThe officer in the company must formally sign off for a case to be published. .

Barriers to case clarity

Jargon He had an Oedipus complex Acronyms

As a medium, her ESP was put to good use. Misplaced expression eg. I hope I have enough compassion to avoid making people redundant if

necessary Abstract nouns The public lacks an understanding of the inevitability of exhaustion of

North Sea Oil Strings of nouns Eg. The article examines government property tax reform proposals. Strings of prepositional phrases Eg. She had read of the achievements of the Irish of the southern regions

of New England. Subordinated clauses Missing links Eg. : They want to raise the voting age to 21 because of immaturity

Postponed verbs Pressure to prevent the building of nuclear power stations and even to

close the existing power stations is increasing.

Passives Your question will be answered by my secretary

Superfluous wordsShe was unable to buy a ticket at student rates because of the fact that she was not carrying her student union card.

Less familiar wordsThe customer service manager initiated immediate action in her endeavour to placate the customer.

Writing about writing The case writer will begin by discussing …..

NegativeHe knew that unless he failed to apply within three months compensation would not be denied to him.

Case drafting Hints

Objectives Be clear about the teaching and learning objectives

Case OutlineProduce a case outline, perhaps using headings that will form the main sections of the case. Be prepared to discard irrelevant material.

Case OpeningThink carefully about the opening sentence and its wording. It must capture the reader’s attention

StructureTime Structure : Make it clear when events took place. Use dates rather than words such as currently, recently, now. Avoid using present tense.

Narrative Structure : An understandable sequence of events.What led to what.Maintain the flow of an unfolding story.A network helpful in outlining the case

Case drafting Hints

Expository Structure What the author wants to make explicit to the readers.What do you want them to discover from their own analysis and / or discussion of the case ?

Plot Structure Case should have an element of drama to develop

and maintain interest. One or more issues to be resolved.Issues must be significant enough to capture reader’s

attention

Case drafting Hints

Case Difficulty

Concepts : How many ? How Complex ? Introduced through case or already known to the reader.

Analysis : What methods appropriate for the date in the case

Presentation : How long is the case ? How readable ? What diagram, table or other supplementary material are to be included.

ClosureReiterate key issues. Remind the reader of the need for a decision, evaluation, formulation of opinions. What unresolved problems remain ?

Case drafting Hints

The End