Lesson 6: The Case Method Flashcards
● A description of a situation
● Usually describes how the current position developed and what a key personality in the
case is currently facing
● May be accurate descriptions of real situations or fictions (for fear of revealing
information
● Typically a record of business issues, facts, opinions and prejudices upon which
decisions have to depend
Case
The case method traces its origins to a teaching method developed in the _ by _ based on _ at _.
1870s, Christopher
C. Langdell, Socratic principles, Harvard Law School
This method of teaching was
eventually adopted in Harvard Business School in _ and in Harvard Medical School in _.
1920; 1985
● Ideal for introduction of concepts,
theories, principles, etc.
● Basic assumption: lecturer knows more
about the topic than anybody else in the
room
● Success/failureof the process is based on
rate of absorption of new information (as
measured by exam results)
● Professors serve as center stage; students
as stenographers
● Efficient way of shooting information and analysis to the students
Lecture
● Ideal for application of concepts, theories,
principles, etc.
● Basic assumption: all participants can
contribute to the learning process
● Success/failureis based on level of
participation/interaction(as measured by
the level of excitement during discussion)
● Professors take the passive role serving as
moderators and wrapping up the case after the discussion; students do most of
the talking
● Interactive and indirect; effective but less
efficient
Case Method
● Information handling (organization, classification, evaluation)
● Integrative thinking
Analytical Skills
● Applying concepts, techniques, diagnosing, making decisions, etc.
Application Skills
● Public speaking (oral presentation)
● Use of visual aids
● Defending your viewpoint
● Convincing others of one’s arguments or persuading
● Listening
Communication
Skills
● Interacting with the other members of the group
Social Skills
● Analysis of one’s values, inclinations, risk-taking ability, and attitudes
Self-analysis Skills
Case requires analyst to make sound decisions
Decision-making
Skills
● A position or main character in the case who could best tackle the case issue
● Required for consistency in treating case facts and arriving at a solution
Characteristics of the point of view
● Most important concern of the firm
● Could be an objective or a constraint in meeting the objective
● Arrived at after a careful assessment of the case issues
● Stated in question form which is not answerable by yes or no
Characteristics of the problem statement
● Analyze relevant factors in the macro environment and task environment which have a bearing on how the case unfolds and which and which may serve as important inputs in
solving the case problem
Analysis of relevant case facts
elements or developments in the external environment that help
the company increase its competitive edge and positively impact on a company
Opportunities
