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This document provides guidance on analyzing case studies for management education. It defines a case study as a description of a real or hypothetical managerial situation that requires problem solving. The objectives of the case study method are to develop skills in designing action plans through situation evaluation, rather than finding authoritative answers. Guidelines are provided for identifying and diagnosing problems, analyzing relevant facts, evaluating alternatives, and making recommendations supported by evidence. The overall aim is to train students to think and act like managers facing complex situations.

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73 views3 pages

Msword&rendition 1 1

This document provides guidance on analyzing case studies for management education. It defines a case study as a description of a real or hypothetical managerial situation that requires problem solving. The objectives of the case study method are to develop skills in designing action plans through situation evaluation, rather than finding authoritative answers. Guidelines are provided for identifying and diagnosing problems, analyzing relevant facts, evaluating alternatives, and making recommendations supported by evidence. The overall aim is to train students to think and act like managers facing complex situations.

Uploaded by

varad
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1

CASE STUDIES
UNDERSTANDING AND SOLVING CASE STUDY
Case study method has become quite popular in management. This is because management is an
applied science and an action-oriented activity. A person cannot expect to become a successful
manager just by studying books on management. Practice is required. In educational programmes on
organization and management, students can practice to some extent through the case study method.
Moreover, case questions are being asked in the BBA, BBM, M.Com and other examinations.
Therefore, several casesare given in this appendix. Students are advised to learn the art of analyzing
and discussing cases. Guidelines for case analysis and case discussion are given here for the benefit
of students.
What is Case?
A case is description of a situation (real or hypothetical) involving some problems to be solved. It sets
forth in a. factual manner the circumstances surrounding a particular managerial situation or series of
events, in an organization. It may not contain complete information and, therefore, the case analyst
has to make reasonable assumptions. Moreover, a case contains information of varying significance,
some may be very useful, some partially useful and some of no use.
A case may be presented either in structured from or in unstructured from. In a structured case,
leading questions are given at the end. These questions indicate the direction in which the discussion
will go. The main value of a structured case is that the discussion can start quickly. But there is
always the danger of oversimplification of problems involved and pet solution may be presented. The
discussion in the classroom may degenerate into a question-answer session between the instructor and
the students. In an unstructured case only facts are given without any leading questions. The
participants search and select he problems on which they will focus. This helps them to learn how to
get on the real problems in a given situation.
Objectives of Case Method
Unlike textbooks and lecture notes, managerial cases do not provide definite answers. Rather the pros
and cons of issues involved in a case are discussed. Various alternatives and approaches are evaluated.
The purpose of case analysis is not learn authorititative answers to specific managerial problems.
Rather it is to develop skills in the process of designing workable plan of action through evaluation of
the prevailing situation. Students should understand it is the managerial exercise of identifying,
diagnosing and deciding that counts in case analysis. Guessing what the instructor is thinking or
finding out what the organization did is irrelevant. The objective should be to develop the ability of
thinking managerially and exercising responsible judgement. One should be able to diagnose and
appraise the situation from a managerial perspective, develop workable plan of action, and defend his
analysis and plan of action.
Thus, the case study method is aimed at:
(a) Providing exposure to real business/managerial situations;
(b) Helping participants to acquire the skills of applying concepts and principles of
management(textbook knowledge)to actual situations(practice);
(c) Developing the ability of diagnosing problems, analysis and evaluating alternatives and
formulating workable plans of action(problem-solving and decision-making skills);and
(d) Training the participants to work out answers and solutions themselves instead of relying
upon the professor or a textbook.
Case study method is based on the principle of’ Learning by Doing’.
2

WAY TO SOLVE CASE STUDIES-


Steps used for solving Case study-
1. Summary-1/3 of whole case study
2. Players involved (4-5 lines)
3. Situational Analysis (Detail)
4. Problem in case study
5. Plausible solution
6. Best solution
7. Analysis
8. Final solution
9. Conclusion
10. Glossary
GUIDELINES FOR CASE ANALYSIS
There is no proven procedure or formulae that can be recommended for case analysis. Bach
case analysis situation required judgement accordingly. Some guidelines for solving case
study.
1.Identification and Diagnosis:
Every case contains a problem or number of problems which reflects the gap between desired
and actual situations. In order to identify the problem it is necessary to read and reread the
case carefully and thoroughly. Important points/events may be underlined or jotted down
during the course of reading the case. First reading will help to make the situation familiar
and help in preliminary analysis. During second reading key issues and relevant facts can be
obtained.
Once the problem is identified, diagnosis of the causes behind it an strategic issues involved
in the case is done. For this purpose one has to read the case between the lines. Put yourself in
the position of the manager/managerial group portrayed in the case, interrelate facts and
events so as to evaluate the organization and its surroundings.
2.Analysis and Evaluation:
In the second stage, the tables, exhibits and financial statement’s given in the case are
analyzed and summarized carefully. Ratios or percentages may be calculated. The key factors
underlying the organizations successes and failures are evaluated. Its competitive position is
judged. The alternative solutions to the problems are then identified and compared. Relevant
information is separated from the irrelevant. A reasonable and objective interpretation of facts
is necessary. The alternative considered appropriate in the given situation is selected after
weighing pros and cons.
3.Recommendations:
A pal of action is recommended which is workable. It is necessary to support your views
or judgement by necessary evidence. Recommendations should be stated in sufficient detail
so as to be meaningful. These should be so organized and written that they communicate
particularly what you want to say.
While analyzing a case, answers to the following questions should be sought:
(a)What are the real problems involved in the case?
(b)What are the pertinent facts?
(c)What are the key unknown facts?
(d)What are the critical questions bearing on each specific event?
(e)What individual and organization factors caused the problem?
(f)In what ways, can logic and reasoning be used to determine crucial inference and
interrelationships?
(h)In what manner can the decision be implemented?
(i)Does the organization posses the competencies required for successful implementation?
3

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