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Case Study Analysis

A case study is a record of a real business issue faced by executives that includes surrounding facts, opinions, and context. Case studies allow students to practice decision making by analyzing complex, real-world situations. The key steps to analyzing a case study are to: 1) thoroughly read and understand the situation, 2) identify the central problem and goals, 3) formulate alternative solutions, 4) evaluate the alternatives, 5) select the best alternative, and 6) develop an implementation plan. The analysis should be presented logically and clearly explain the reasoning.

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103 views

Case Study Analysis

A case study is a record of a real business issue faced by executives that includes surrounding facts, opinions, and context. Case studies allow students to practice decision making by analyzing complex, real-world situations. The key steps to analyzing a case study are to: 1) thoroughly read and understand the situation, 2) identify the central problem and goals, 3) formulate alternative solutions, 4) evaluate the alternatives, 5) select the best alternative, and 6) develop an implementation plan. The analysis should be presented logically and clearly explain the reasoning.

Uploaded by

imad
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Case & Case Study?

“A record of a business issue which actually


has been faced by business executives,
Case Study together with surrounding facts, opinions and
prejudices upon which the executive had to
Interpreting Business Scenarios depend.
These real cases are analyzed and a final
descision as to the type of action to be taken is
discussed

Case Studies and Practice Case Analysis Procedure


 Interesting, real world situations with insights  No standard formula or ideal methodology that is
appropriate for all cases
into the studies of management  Analysis is influenced by the nature of the case, level
 Decision making of competence & maturity of the person analyzing
and approach
 may become easier  For students, there are generally two types:
 better quality of decisions  Those which specify questions at the end
 faster decision making  Those that indicate dilemma faced by a company or an
executive
 Working in teams

Logical framework for analysis Attacking the Case


Situation
 Problems with quantity of information
Analysis  first too much/later not enough
Problem  Solution:
Identification
 seek additional information
State  make assumptions
Objectives
 Decide which questions to ask
Set up
Alternatives  Instructor will be more interested in the analyses and
Evaluate
process than in absolute correctness
Alternatives

Take a Descision

1
Steps of Problem Analyses More on the Question of Focus
 Read the case thoroughly  Is there one issue or many issues?
 Define the central issue  The answer may not be simple or obvious

 Define the firms goals  Often it makes sense to organize the problem
statement in a hierarchical way
 Identify the constraints to the problem
 A single over-riding issue
 Identify all the relevant alternatives
 Additional issues, but usually subsidiary to the
 Select the best alternative main issue
 Develop an implementation plan  Triage
 Deal with most important areas first

Tasks in Case Analysis


Analysis Tasks  Judgmental Tasks
1. Situation – Past/present 1. Identify central problem
(exceptions & actual)
2.
3.
Situation – future
Ways to achieve objective 2. State objectives & acceptable Analyze the Situation
solutions
4. Applying criteria for
selection (feasibility 3. Set up alternatives
analysis) 4. Evaluate alternatives
5. Analyzing reason for
selection
6. Analyzing situation for 5. Take a descision
implementation
6. Decide action plan

Analyze the Situation The useful steps are…


 The first step in case analysis is understanding the 1. List all past & current events in an order
situation in which the problem is located (chronological may be)
 A situation is never complete in its description 2. Identify characters and their attitudes &
 All situations comprise of facts, views, assumptions, relationships among the principals
inferences, & predictions
 Sort out the relevant from the irrelevant, facts from
3. Look for facts, opinions & data (what do I need to
know in order to solve the problem or answer the questions)
assumptions, goals from actions, and organize the
issues into a clear exposition of the problems at hand 4. Make realistic assumptions to fill in the gaps

2
The useful steps are…
5.

6.
Process data using the right quantitative technique
Draw inferences wherever necessary
Identify the central
7. Put the situation in perspective. Use theoretical problem
models that would help in understanding the case
(Consumer Behavioral Model)
SITUTATION = FACTS + INFERENCES +
ASSUMPTION + PREDICTIONS

Problem Identification
Apparent Areas of concern Findings
A well
Sales are down- Competition, price, Salesperson’s
defined
problem
why? promotion,
distribution
failure
Objectives
is a Salesperson Sales supervision, Poor training
failure-why? poor product
problem presentation, low
half allowances, low
sales expenditure
solved
Poor training-why? Training method, Low Budget
Trainer, Trainees,
budget

Objectives
 Without objectives, decisions may become
misdirected
 State clearly long and short term objectives Formulate Alternative
 Objectives must be clear & measurable
 SWOT is a good way of understanding
situations, opportunities and constraints

3
Alternatives
Formulate
 Develop a number of alternatives
 One alternative could be maintenance of status quo
Decision
Evaluate
 Consider alternatives along with criteria for selection
 Profitability
 Sales growth
 Risk
 Time
 Resources

Taking a decision The Report


 Select the best alternative to the problem  Written or oral
under discussion  Describes the solution of the case
 Prepare an implementation plan  Express yourself clearly
 What must be done to carry out the decision?  Explain the analyses and logic
 What personnel must be assigned to do it?
 Separate "facts" from opinion
 When the acts should be carried out?
 Lay out a plan for implementating the
 How much will it cost?
decision

Written Reports Oral Reports


 Short, well-organized report is better than a  State what has occurred – what is the case about?
long, unorganized one  Describe the context
 changes in firm, industry, market
 Do not include trivial matters  Typical contents:
 Typical sections:  description of the case situation
 executive summary  problem statement
 analyses of the key alternatives
 problem statement  conclusion
 alternatives  implementation
 conclusion  Be able to comment on other ideas
 implementation

4
Effective Case Analysis Effective Case Analysis
 Complete: in understanding, analysis & solution  Critical: questions the situation & inferences &
argues in different ways. Discusses pros & cons of
 Objective: avoid rehash or repetition alternatives
 Realistic: imaginative with reference to attainable  Logical: sequential thought process using sound
objectives; constructively chooses an appropriate logical framework of thinking
course of action with reference to constraints  Clear: No confusion. Simple, methodical & easy to
understand presentation
 Creative: generates beyond normal thinking
 Analytical: Effective data classifications,
computations and analysis using suitable
presentation techniques

Adapted from:
Cases in Rural Marketing – An Integrated Approach
KM Lecture on Case Study 2004

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