What: Case studies *
- are written summaries or syntheses of real-life cases
based upon data and research
- require you to isolate and think through the key issues involved
against both theory and the larger comparative environment
- identify appropriate strategies for the resolution of the 'case'
- weigh the pros and cons of the remedial options/strategies
- recommend and present a rationale for the best resolution
How: The process of developing a case study:
- Define the objective of the case study
- Identify the important players within the organization, the
"stakeholders"
- Identify other target groups of the organization, whether clients or
suppliers
- State the official mission of the organization studied
- State the historical mission of the organization
- State the understood mission of the stakeholders in the organization
- Scale the importance of stakeholders, whether in decision-making or
effect of consequences
- Outline the formal decision-making process
- Note informal decision-making processes
- Identify the process of production or service delivery
- Identify support mechanisms
- Identify competitors
What is the organizational context of the profession or of competitors?
- State the major problem
- State subsequent problems and implications
- State the role of management
- State the role of production/service providers
- Identify strategic issues
- Identify decisions needed to be made
- Identify risk factors
- Identify historical precedents
- Define remedial options
- Compare options as regards pros and cons, theory, risk factors
- Make your recommendation and justify
- Write an executive summary focusing on key elements
See also
Organizing group projects
* definition adapted from
Alternative Modes of
Teaching and Learning, Case Studies, the University of Western Australia,
Perth, Australia.
http://www.csd.uwa.edu.au/altmodes/to_delivery/casestudy.html
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