case study

MGT 351 Spring 2016

New Mexico State University 1

Case Study Guidelines

The objectives of case studies are to:

• Apply and improve your critical thinking skills.

• Identify and suggest potential solution(s) to business problems.

• Apply the skills and concepts discussed in the classroom.

Some of the case studies might be somewhat complex at first since they deal with real issues,

but often the underlying symptoms of the problem mask the root cause of the problem. Your

task is to determine the critical information provided in the case and propose

recommendations and/or answer the questions as indicated. The key to a successful case

analysis is integrate and apply the knowledge you have learned in class.

In preparing the write-up of the case, please follow these general guidelines:

• Be concise and well-structured: in most cases, your case should not be more than five pages in length (not including tables, figures, and/or references).

• Articulate the content of your case clearly. For proper writing and styling standards please refer to http://goo.gl/GCZ0j5.

Some of the cases are to be completed individually, and some will be done in teams. The class

honor’s code stipulates that you may include your name on the submission only if you

contributed to the case write-up.

Suggested Structure

The following is the suggested structure when writing up the case.

• Title Section: include the title of the case, member(s), due date.

• Executive summary: a one-to-two paragraph summary of the case and your

recommendation(s). Make sure to include supporting analyses and/or justifications (if

any).

• Problem definition: identify the key issues/questions that need to be addressed.

• Analysis/Answers: find key points of interest and/or answer the questions asked in the

case. Be as descriptive as possible and apply and integrate the class discussions topics

covered in the textbook to support your analyses/answers.

• References: supporting materials that might include trade/academic journals, books,

URLs. Use APA referencing style.

MGT 351 Spring 2016

New Mexico State University 2

Grading Rubric

The following rubric is intended to provide you with a guideline regarding the evaluation of your case analysis submission.

Performance Rating

Evaluation dimensions Excellent Competent Weak

Identification of Main

issues/problems

Identifies and demonstrates a solid

understanding of main

issues/problems

Identifies and demonstrates an

understanding of most of the

issues/problems

Identifies and demonstrates

acceptable understanding of some of

the issues/problems

Analysis and evaluation of

issues/problems

Insightful and thorough analysis of

all identified issues/problems;

includes all necessary calculations

when appropriate

Thorough analysis of most of the

issues identified; missing some

necessary calculations when

appropriate

Superficial or incomplete analysis of

some of the identified issues; omits

necessary calculations when

appropriate

Recommendations on

Effective

Solutions/Strategies

Diagnosis and opinions supported

with strong arguments and well-

documented objective evidence

Diagnosis and opinions supported

with limited reasoning and

somewhat subjective evidence

Little or no action suggested and/or

inappropriate solutions proposed.

Integration to course

readings and additional

research

Appropriate and powerful

connections between identified

issues/ problems and the concepts

studied in the course readings and

lectures; supplements with relevant

research

Appropriate but somewhat vague

connections between identified

issues/problems and concepts

studied in readings and lectures;

supplements with limited research

Inappropriate or little connection

between issues identified and the

concepts studied in the readings and

lectures; incomplete research

Writing skills and formatting

guidelines

Demonstrates clarity, conciseness

and correctness; formatting is

appropriate and writing is free of

grammar and spelling errors.

Occasional grammar or spelling

errors, but still a clear presentation of

ideas; lacks organization.

Writing is unfocused, rambling, or

contains serious errors; poorly

organized and does not follow

specified guidelines.

References Clearly links to outside readings;

sources are cited in References

section in APA style

Limited links to outside readings;

sources are cited in References

section in APA style with errors

outside readings are weak and/or

missing; sources are not cited in

References section and/or not

following APA style