Case Study
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DevelopingCaseAnalysesPowerpoint20212.pptxDeveloping your Case Analyses
BA 563, Fall 2021
BA 563 Term Project
Each student will choose a topic to develop into a case study
Each student is responsible for researching the topic and presenting a contemporary case study that illustrates or ads to the understanding of the topic
Each student will develop a written case study to be posted on Blackboard for the entire class to read.
Sample BA 563 Term Project Topics
The future impact of the BRIC economies on world trade (New Global Challengers reading)
Global Sustainability and Business Strategy (Resource Competition as a Competitive Edge reading)
Global Wages and Income Inequality (World is Flat)
A Critique of Globalization (ex. Darwin’s Nightmare)
Global Competition and Costs Pressures (New Global Challengers reading)
Other topics you suggest will be considered but must be approved by the instructor first
Case Study Organization
There are six major components (Parts I .. VI) that must be in your case study.
You will develop these components through the submission of Case Project Assignments throughout the semester, beginning with the PESTEL assignment.
Your final paper will integrate these components into a complete case study.
Parts I through VI
Each of the following components are related to Case Project Assignments given throughout the semester. I will give you insight as to how the individual assignments correlate with the various Parts.
PART I: Issue Identification
Provides introduction to the Context of the Case Study
Important for establishing the constraints under which decisions are to be made
Should ground the case in the actions, behaviors and motivations of real people
PART II: General Issue Analysis
Should present the factual foundation of the case
Should demonstrate the relationship between the major issue and the subject company/organization
Should define the industry and markets that are specific to the decision outcomes of the case study (e.g., competition from BRIC companies is resulting in pricing pressure for DuPont in the industrial chemicals sector)
PART III: Company Overview
Should present the reader with a broad picture of what the company is and how it got to where it is at the start of the case (Mission and history)
Should provide an overview of how the company’s current strategies and activities are being impacted by the Issue
Should identify what (if any) strategies and/or activities the company also has in place relative to the issue
PART IV: Expanded Problem Identification
Should present the problem in the specific context of the subject company’s industry and activities
Should identify a specific business outcome which is being impacted by the problem (e.g., increasing cost pressure due to enhanced global competition)
Should briefly comment on “what if” future scenarios that might motivate the company to additional action
Problem Review
Re-Focuses on the specific Issue and a set of discrete company business activities (marketing mix, return on investments, diversification, resource management) that will be affected by the issue and decisions made in this case (e.g., Nike’s low-cost manufacturing contracts in SE Asia is the target of Anti-Globalization protests)
Problem Review II
It is wise to narrow the problem review down to a single or very limited number of activities that are related in some way (e.g., political risks jeopardizing market growth potential and therefore ROI projections)
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PART V: Competitive Impact
Should demonstrate some awareness of the competitive position of your company relative to major competitors in the industry who may or may not be facing similar challenges
PART VI: Objectives Strategies and Action Plan
In your discussion, you should make it very clear how your options may resolve the problems identified in the General Issue Analysis
You should also clearly note any weaknesses to your options and avoid “happily ever after” hyperbole (e.g., Wal-mart is considering instituting a global “living wage” but forecasters believe this will cut short term profitability by 50%)
Objectives, Strategies and Action Plans II
You should present reasonable options for consideration in the case that address the major issue (For example, GM can help sustain the environment by producing a car that runs on psychic energy, would NOT be an example of a reasonable option).
Objectives, Strategies and Action Plans III
Your description of the issue, the company’s capabilities and resources, the competitive environment and the general context of the issue should provide readers with enough information to make an informed choice
The case should close out with a presentation of these options in a “what if..” format (e.g., growing political unrest in Hong Kong may lead to a widespread crackdown on personal communication exchanges via the internet in mainland China)
General Rules for Developing Good Case Analysis
Be Complete
Avoid simply presenting facts (help with interpretation)
Make reasonable assumptions when necessary
Don’t confuse symptoms with problems
Deal with objectives reasonably
Recognize alternatives
Don’t just assert without backing the assertion with facts
Provide enough information for readers to reach a clear decision
