Introduction to Case Studies

What is a case study?

A case study, for teaching purposes, is a vehicle for learning about management issues. It provides a simulated management situation through which theoretical concepts and approaches can be applied and the feasibility and suitability of any recommendations assessed. Through the case study - an approach to greater insights into management issues can be provided. The approach seeks to identify issues, analyze problems, and develop solutions to these problems and to assess implementation challenges arising from these solutions. The case study method is based on real-life (realistic) practical problems and as such seeks to make the issues come alive for the student.

Case studies vary considerably in length, in the amount of information contained, in the number of issues raised and in the way that they are taught. Sometimes the problem for analysis is clear and sometimes it has to be dug out of a wealth of information, often conflicting. A case study rarely contains all the information that the student would like. However, managers are rarely in a position to make decisions with complete information. Managers make assumptions where information is incomplete, but taking care to justify these assumptions.

Purpose of case study:

Case analysis promotes the discussion of organizational problems and as such is problem-oriented rather than concerned with the acquisition of knowledge. The case study is concerned with practice; what are the problems of the organization and how can they be solved? Theory can provide a framework against which solutions can be tested.

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