...CHAPTER 3 HO W TO A NA LYZE A C A SE A case is a text that refuses to explain itself. How do you construct a meaning for it? Start by recognizing some contextual factors that help limit and narrow the analysis. Cases are usually studied in a course.A marketing case requires you to think as a marketer, not a strategist or manufacturing manager. Courses are often divided into different modules or themes defined by certain types of situations and, often, concepts, theories, and practices appropriate for these situations.You can expect to encounter the themes in the cases that are part of the modules and opportunities to put to work the analytical tools and best practices you have learned. Past case discussions provide a foundation for thinking about a new case, and study questions can call attention to important issues.You should make use of all these contextual factors, but they don’t amount to a method for analyzing a case. STARTING POINT FOR UNDERSTANDING The case method is heuristic—a term for self-guided learning that employs analysis to help draw conclusions about a situation. Analysis is derived from a Greek word meaning, “a dissolving.” In English, analysis has two closely related definitions: to break something up into its constituent parts; and to study the relationships of the parts to the whole. To analyze a case, you therefore need ways of identifying and understanding important aspects of a situation and what they mean in relation to the overall situation. Each...
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...How to analyze a case study 1. Examine and describe the business environment relevant to the case study Describe the nature of the organization under consideration and its competitors. Provide general information about the market and customer base. Indicate any significant changes in the business environment or any new endeavors upon which the business is embarking. 2. Describe the structure and size of the main business under consideration. Analyze its management structure, employee base, and financial history. Describe annual revenues and profit. Provide figures on employment. Include details about private ownership, public ownership, and investment holdings. Provide a brief overview of the business's leaders and command chain. 3. Identify the key issue or problem in the case study. In all likelihood, there will be several different factors at play. Decide which is the main concern of the case study by examining what most of the data talks about, the main problems facing the business, and the conclusions at the end of the study. Examples might include expansion into a new market, response to a competitor's marketing campaign, or a changing customer base. 4. Describe how the business responds to these issues or problems. Draw on the information you gathered and trace a chronological progression of steps taken (or not taken). Cite data included in the case study, such as increased marketing spending, purchasing of new property, changed revenue streams, etc. 5. Identify...
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...Instructions Analyze and review your company's past growth and financial statements. Looking at past growth numbers can help you determine your marketing goals and objectives. Review the past marketing strategies and tactics, and make a note of which strategies produced the highest return on investment. Identify your company's strengths and weaknesses. Develop a list of key differentiators for your company and areas you would like to improve upon. For example, your company may excel at customer service, but your prices may be perceived as high by your customers. Make a list of opportunities and threats in the market. For example, your business may be expanding into the business-to-business sector in the following year, which represents a significant opportunity for growth for your company. Or, you may have a competitor opening several new offices in the coming year, which represents a threat to your company. Analyze the data you compiled. This step is where you really put "rubber to the road" when writing your marketing case analysis. First, review the strengths and weaknesses of your company, and compare them to the external threats and opportunities. The key here is to determine two or three key differentiating factors you can use in your marketing materials. Identify these factors and use them to write the first part of your marketing case analysis, which are your objectives. For example, "The purpose of this marketing case analysis is to communicate how AB Industries...
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...Course Problem Solving Case (Hank Kolb, p. 160 – 161) Following are the instructions you are to use in analyzing the Hank Kolb case. During Class 5, you and your class members analyzed the direct causes of the quality problems on the Greasex line. You used the fishbone diagram to display your analysis. In the next paragraph you are now asked to analyze this case from a larger perspective. You are Hank Kolb and you realize that the quality problems with the Greasex line is a symptom of a larger quality management issue for the organization. You have formed a problem solving team within the organization to analyze this larger problem and make recommendations on how to improve the quality management system with in the organization. Describe how your team will analyze this problem and make recommendations for improvement. 1. Write a problem statement that identifies the improvement objectives. 2. Describe the data and information collection tools that you will use to analyze this problem. Be specific. For the data you would collect, design the data form(s). You may also identify data that may be within the organization data bases that you would analyze. 3. You will also be given some data to supplement this case (since you cannot actually collect the data) to analyze. You are to show how you would use one or more analysis methods to analyze this data. 4. Establish design criteria that you will use to evaluate alternatives that your team may develop...
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...Corporate Strategy Case Study Analysis WHAT IS CASE STUDY ANALYSIS? A case study presents an account of what happened to a business or industry over a number of years. It chronicles the events that managers had to deal with, such as changes in the competitive environment, and charts the managers' response, which usually involved changing the business- or corporate-level strategy. Cases prove valuable in a course for several reasons. First, cases provide you, the student, with experience of organizational problems that you probably have not had the opportunity to experience firsthand. In a relatively short period of time, you will have the chance to appreciate and analyze the problems faced by many different companies and to understand how managers tried to deal with them. Second, cases illustrate what you have learned. The meaning and implication of this information are made clearer when they are applied to case studies. The theory and concepts help reveal what is going on in the companies studied and allow you to evaluate the solutions that specify companies adopted to deal with their problems. Consequently, when you analyze cases, you will be like a detective who, with a set of conceptual tools, probes what happened and what or who was responsible and then marshals the evidence that provides the solution. Top managers enjoy the thrill of testing their problem-solving abilities in the real world. It is important to remember, after all, that no one knows what the right...
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... |College of Social Sciences | | |PSY/410 | | |Abnormal Psychology | Copyright © 2010, 2009, 2007 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to theories and research concerning abnormal behavior (psychopathology). The course will address such topics as the incidence (frequency) of abnormal behavior of various types; how abnormal behaviors are classified into various diagnostic categories; the etiologies (causes) of psychological disorders; and the variety of methods employed in the treatment of abnormal behavior. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently...
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...quality problems with the Greasex line is a symptom of a larger quality management issue for the organization. You have formed a problem solving team within the organization to analyze this larger problem and make recommendations on how to improve the quality management system with in the organization. Describe how your team will analyze this problem and make recommendations for improvement. 1. Write a problem statement that identifies the improvement objectives. 2. Describe the data and information collection tools that you will use to analyze this problem. Be specific. For the data you will collect, design the data form(s) that will be used. You may also identify data that may be within the organization data bases that you will analyze. 3. Generate a data set (since you cannot actually collect the data) and show how you would use one or more analysis methods to analyze the data. 4. Establish design criteria that you will use to evaluate alternatives that your team may develop. 5. From the information in the case, as well as any other data/information that you have, make recommendations on how to improve the quality management system in the organization. Create an evaluation system that you will use to track the results of your team’s recommendations. Write a report summarizing your case analysis. The goal of this report is to demonstrate your ability to use the problem solving approach and tools taught in this course and to make a compelling presentation of your...
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...Tips to solve Case Study Case study is a story given about some company which involves the issues related to the company related to a particular topic/subject like Human Resource Management, Logistics Management and so on. How to crack a case study- 1) Collect the facts and analyze them - While reading the case, underline the main factual statements, decisions made by the firm and key points which will highlight the main problems of the case and then analyze the facts by interpreting and reviewing the decisions of the individuals and the firm. 2) Identify the main problems/key issues and analyze - Problems in the case are mostly hidden. So read the case again and again to identify the key issues. Facts may help you in identifying the problem. Analyze the characteristics and reasons of the issues involved in the case. Examine them with your knowledge of the concepts related to the subject. 3) Do SWOT analysis of the case - Find out the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of the company/ case which will help you to find the possible solutions to the problems. 4) List alternative course of action and evaluate them and then Recommend the best course of action – Be precise about which alternative is best and make realistic conclusion. It should reveal your good understanding of the case and have logical reasoning. Steps to solve the case- 1) Summary of the case – It’s the summary of the case i.e. what you have understood about the case. You can start like this –...
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...CIS 525 WEEK 8 CASE STUDY 2 A+ Graded Tutorial Available At: http://hwsoloutions.com/?product=cis-525-week-8-case-study-2 Visit Our website: http://hwsoloutions.com/ Product Description CIS 525 Week 8 Case Study 2, CIS 525 Week 8 Case Study 2 http://www.homeworkproviders.com/shop/cis-525-week-8-case-study-2/ Case Study 2: Primavera Gets Agile Due Week 8 and worth 100 points Read the case study on Primavera Gets Agile located athttp://www.objectmentor.com/resources/articles/Primavera.pdf. This is one of the classic case studies on how an organization adopts agile project management and makes itself more competitive and successful. It highlights the best practice and critical success factors of how to turn the organization’s entire development organization around in an amazing way. Write a five to six (5-6) page paper in which you: Identify the problems with Primavera’s development organization prior to its adoption of agile strategies. Analyze if agile techniques should be considered in solving Primavera’s problems. Support your response. Identify and evaluate Primavera’s strategies and steps on adopting agile methodologies. Identify the challenges and obstacles Primavera was facing at its first attempt with agile project management and analyze how Primavera removed those obstacles. Analyze why agile methodology that Primavera used produced better and bigger business values than traditional project management methodologies. Explain Primavera’s business...
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...Unit 3 Case Study 5454 unread replies.5454 replies. Bellow you will find a clinical case study. The case study starts with a description of a patients’ medical history, followed by discussion question/s. First, you have to analyze the medical history of the patient. As you read the patient’s information: * Highlight any risk factors that might exist, existing medical conditions, present signs and symptoms or complains that the patient is suffering from. * Analyze the results of any diagnostic tests that were performed. Diagnostic tests include, physical exams, blood test, radiologic tests (x-ray, CT scans, etc.), and other functional tests. * Relate the medical treatment used to the underlying pathology. * Propose clinical management plan for the patient’s condition, and possible prognosis. You are encouraged to discuss the cases with other students and in groups, however, each student should submit the analysis of the case study in their own words through discussions. Students should submit their case study through the “Discussion” link AND the “Turnitin Dropbox” link for that case study available on the course’s main page. If you fail to submit your case study through both links your case study will not be graded. Turnitin is an automated system which instructors can use to quickly and easily compare each student's assignment with billions of web sites, as well as an enormous database of student papers that grows with each submission.Accordingly, you...
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...Here's How: 1. Investigate and Analyze the Company’s History and Growth. A company’s past can greatly affect the present and future state of the organization. To begin your case study analysis, investigate the company’s founding, critical incidents, structure, and growth. 2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses Within the Company. Using the information you gathered in step one, continue your case study analysis by examining and making a list of the value creation functions of the company. For example, the company may be weak in product development, but strong in marketing. 3. Gather Information on the External Environment.The third step in a case study analysis involves identifying opportunities and threats within the company’s external environment. Special items to note include competition within the industry, bargaining powers, and the threat of substitute products. 4. Analyze Your Findings. Using the information in steps two and three, you will need to create an evaluation for this portion of your case study analysis. Compare the strengths and weaknesses within the company to the external threats and opportunities. Determine if the company is in a strong competitive position and decide if it can continue at its current pace successfully. 5. Identify Corporate Level Strategy. To identify a company’s corporate level strategy for your case study analysis, you will need to identify and evaluate the company’s mission, goals, and corporate strategy. Analyze the company’s...
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... | | |School of Business | | |MGT/445 Version 1 | | |Organizational Negotiations | Copyright © 2009, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides an overview of negotiations in an organizational setting. Students learn negotiation processes and strategies, the role of stakeholder interests in negotiation, and how to apply these concepts to the workplace. Students also examine conflict management techniques and emerging negotiation trends in globalization and technology. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies...
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...Outline for Case Reports: Please follow this outline for all written case reports. Please note that this follows the discussion below. 1. Situation Analysis 2. Assumptions and Missing Information 3. Problem Definition 4. Development of Alternatives 5. Evaluation of Alternatives and Recommendation to Management 6. Appendix – Used for exhibits such as pro-forma income statements and other detailed analyses. The Case Analysis Framework The case analysis framework presented here is a synthesis of the frameworks used by your professor and other marketing professors who use case analysis in their courses. It will provide a solid structure to organize the diverse information presented in a case. As you work your way through this framework, or a similar approach to case analysis, we offer the following hints to increase your probability of success: 1. No one can analyze a case after reading it only one time, or even worse, doing the analysis during the first reading of the case. You should read through the case once just to get an understanding of the nature of the case. During the second reading, you can begin to structure and classify the issues as they appear. A truly comprehensive case analysis will probably require at least three readings. 2. Don’t get trapped into thinking the “answer” to the case is hidden somewhere in the case text. There is never a single answer to a case just as there is never a single marketing strategy that is...
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... | | |MGT/445 (3 Credits)Version 1 | | |Organizational Negotiations | | |Puerto Rico Campus | Copyright © 2009, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides an overview of negotiations in an organizational setting. Students learn negotiation processes and strategies, the role of stakeholder interests in negotiation, and how to apply these concepts to the workplace. Students also examine conflict management techniques and emerging negotiation trends in globalization and technology. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing...
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...How to Analyze a Business Situation Real business situations are complex and confusing. They’re often more difficult to analyze than most problems you confront in academic life. To make sense of them and come to conclusions that will help you succeed in the long run, it helps to develop a discipline in sorting out facts. This handout is designed to help you create that discipline. The basic process outlined here will help you prepare for discussion of a case in class, prepare an essay on an exam, prepare a paper on a business question, or prepare to present a recommendation or make a decision in many (probably most) real-world business situations. The process described here parallels that described in Hill & Jones’ text, Strategic Management Theory, pp. C2-C9 (at the back of the text), and that may be reviewed for further guidance. Start by stating clearly (to yourself) what question you are trying to answer. Write it at the top of the page or computer file where you are taking notes. For analysis of a case in a business school class, it is appropriate to select one of the “study questions” from the syllabus that is most interesting to you. Step 1. Analyze the history and development of the company and the situation. You are likely to receive information on the situation from confusing sources. Many different facts and dates will be out of chronological order. Usually the best first step for understanding the situation is simply to list the key events...
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