MM Bagali, Case Study, MBA, Management, HRD, HRM, HR

1. CASE STUDY METHOD

2. AGENDA
Agenda
1. What is a case !
2. Why case study research !
3. Designing case studies !
4. Summary !

3.  How to make a Case Study Format
 How to write a HR/ Fin/ Mkt case study analysis
 How to analysis Business Case study
 How to write a data report
 How to write critical analysis

4. CASE STUDY METHOD
 Interactive Discussion
 Real life situation in real time
 Analysis of Situation
 Immédiate impact
 Immédiate relevance

5. UNITS FOR CASE
STUDY
 A person
 An organization
 A country
 An artefact: technology, product

6. THE FLOW IN CASE
 Examines the characteristics of a particular
entity, phenomenon, or person
 A comprehensive story of a real situation,
decision, event, or managerial process
 Contains data and information for analysis
 Contains situations requiring decisions and/or
recommendations
 Simulates real-world experiences

7. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF
INFORMATION?
 Project documents (including meeting minutes)
 Project reports, including quarterly reports,
midterm reviews
 Monitoring visits
 Interviews
 Questionnaire/survey results
 Evaluation reports
 Observation

8. Why case study research?

9. WHY CASE STUDY
RESEARCH?
 Emphasis on (societal, historical) context
 Trying to reach a full explanation of a
phenomenon within a unit of analysis
 Interpret events, uncovering
 ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions
 Problem solving: closeness to practitioners
 Group Thinking and cross ideas

10. BEST ADVANTAGE
 Case studies also allow one to present data
collected from multiple methods (i.e., surveys,
interviews, document review, and observation)

11. HOW TO WRITE A CASE
STUDY ANALYSIS
 Investigate and Analyze the Company’s History and
Growth
 Identify Strengths and Weaknesses Within the
Company
 Gather Information on the External Environment
 Analyze Your Findings
 Identify Corporate Level Strategy
 Identify Business Level Strategy
 Analyze Implementations
 Make Recommendations

12.  Single instrumental case study focuses on an
issue or concern, and then selects one bounded
case to illustrate this issue
 Collective or multiple case study focuses on an
issue by analysing multiple cases. This approach
uses the logic of replication in which the
researcher replicates the procedures for each
case
 Intrinsic case study focuses on the case itself
because it presents an unusual or unique
situation

13. PHILOSOPHY OF CASE
OBJECTIVES
THEORY BUILDING
THEORY TESTING
PROBLEM SOLVING

14. Why Case Study Research in
Management

15.  Real time situation
 Cause X Effect relationship
 Complex business administration situation
 Holistic view of a process
 Understanding of complex social phenomena &
real-life events
 Suitable for "how" & "why" questions
 Suitable for analysis of process

16. THREE TYPES OF
CASE STUDY RESEARCH
Research question
Observation Theory Problem
(Theory)
Theory Observation Observation

17. A Diamond Model for Case Analysis
(Van de Ven 2007)
Problem/Question
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Solution
1. Ground the problem & question in reality.
2. Develop a conceptual model to address the question.
3. EvaluateSTUDY RESEARCH the model applies to the case.
CASE
how well
4. Implement a solution that solves the problem/question.

18.  Object
 Case selection
 Literature review
 Propositions/hypotheses
 Data collection
 Data organization
 Data analysis
 Findings and theory building

19. CASE STUDY RESEARCH DESIGN:
THEORY BUILDING
Step Activity Reason
Getting Definition of research question Focuses efforts
started A priori constructs Better grounding for constructs
measures
Selecting Neither theory nor hypotheses Retains theoretical flexibility
cases Specified population Constrains extraneous variation &
sharpens external validity
Theoretical, not random sampling Focuses efforts on theoretically
useful cases
Crafting Multiple data collection methods Strengthens grounding of theory by
instruments & triangulation of evidence
protocols Synergistic view of evidence
Qualitative & quantitative data
combined Fosters divergent perspectives
strengthens grounding

20. Step Activity Reason
Entering the Overlap data collection & Speeds analysis & reveals
field analysis, including field notes helpful adjustments to data
Flexible & opportunistic data collection
collection methods Allows researcher to take
advantage of emergent themes
& unique case features
Analysing Within case analysis Gains familiarity with data &
data preliminary theory generation
Cross-case pattern search Forces researcher to look
using divergent techniques beyond initial impressions & see
evidence through multiple
lenses

21. Step Activity Reason
Sharpening Iterative tabulation of evidence Sharpens construct definition,
hypotheses for each construct validity and measurability
Replication, not sampling, logic Confirms, extends and sharpens
across cases theory
Search evidence “why” behind
relationships Builds internal validity
Enfolding Comparison with conflicting Builds internal validity, raises
literature literature theoretical level, and sharpens
construct definitions
Comparison with similar literature Sharpens generalizability, improves
construct definition and raises
theoretical level
Reaching Theoretical saturation when Ends process when marginal
closure possible improvements become small

22. CASE STUDY DATA
COLLECTION
 Field work
 Real world situation
 Questionnaire / Schedule
 Already information / Secondary data
 Guide to Indian Literature
 Other collections

23. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
 Make an observation
 Ask a question
 Formulate a hypothesis
 Design and conduct an experiment
 Analyze your results
 Draw conclusions
 Test and retest results

24. BE TRUTHFUL
 Honest data
 Time spent
 Elements to observe
 Biases
 Don’t assume
 Facts as they are

25. CASE STUDY METHODOLOGY
 Plan and chart techniques to be used
 Identify site(s) for access & convenience
 Schedule data collection
 Regular review
 Units to be included
 Strenght of questionnaire/ schedule

26. EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY RESEARCH DESIGN
FROM JOHNS & LEE-ROSS (1998) P. 148
In-depth interviews Hackman and Oldham's Job Diagnostic
Survey (1980)
Results
Semi-structured Participant observation
interviews
Direct output from research method
Information for research method formulation

27. RECORDING
 Analysis is the key, so don’t gather anything until
you know how you will use it
 Notes vs Audiotape vs videotape: too little data
or too much?
 Investigative journalist in the field: cold scientist
out
 Observe / listen / or what

28. CONSIDERATIONS
 Why is this a suitable situation for a case study?
 Aims & objectives
 Theoretical basis
 Appropriateness of data collected
 Appropriateness of data-gathering methods
 Credibility/validity/reliability of findings

29. HOW TO DEVELOP
JAIN UNIVERSITY
AT GLOBAL LEVEL
 How do you go about
 Methodology
 Case Questions
 Data Methodology
 Place of data collection
 Units
 Design of questionnaire
 Analysis/ interpretation

30. INTERVIEW AS A TOOL
Be alert for openings in responses to probe more
deeply, starting with mundane questions and
gradually easing into more sensitive and more
complex questions

31. INTERVIEW
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
 lnclude taking notes during the interview
notes after the interview
 Tape recording
 Writing and transcribing the interview (the
transcript is a “verbatim”)
verbatim

32. INTERVIEW
DO’S AND DON’TS...
Do listen more and talk less
Do follow up on what is not clear and probe
more deeply into what is revealed
Don’t use leading questions; do use open-
ended questions (“probes”)
probes
Don’t interrupt; do wait

33. Do keep interviewee(s) focused
Do ask for concrete details
Do tolerate silence and space between interviewee’s responses; do
allow the interviewee time to think
Don’t be judgmental about or react to an interviewee’s opinions, views,
or beliefs
Don’t engage in debate with an interviewee
Do record everything the interviewee says and note

34. SYNTHESIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE MEANINGS OF FIELD DATA...
a formidable task because data are thick
and deep as well as voluminous and
unorganized (“field notes”)
notes
involves a systematic and iterative
process of searching, categorizing, and
integrating data (“managing data”)
data

35. Classifying the data, including categorization, coding, and
grouping into thematic units
Interpreting and synthesizing the organized data into general conclusions or
understandings

36. DESIGNING CASE STUDIES
SAMPLING
 Sampling:
 Statistical generalization (cases are
representative for a wider population:
sample -> population)
 Analytical generalization (adequacy of
theoretical inferences): replication logic
of sampling (multiple case studies)
 Select contrasting cases
(independent/dependent variables):
counterfactual
 Select similar cases: saturation

37. DESIGNING CASE
STUDIES
 Qualitative, quantitative data:
 Triangulation in method
 N: survey (>40) – semi-structured
interviews (10-40)– unstructured
interviews (1-10) – participant
observation (1)

38.  Content
 Compatibility
 Multiple perspectives
 Pedagogical value
 Explicit/implicit concepts

39.  How to Write the Case Study
 There are usually eight sections in a case study

40.  Synopsis/Executive Summary
 Findings
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 Implementation
 References
 Appendices (if any)

41. SYNOPSIS/EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
 Outline the purpose of the case study
 Describe the field of research – this is usually an overview of the
company
 Outline the issues and findings of the case study without the
specific details
 Identify the theory that will be used.
 Here, the reader should be able to get a clear picture of the
essential contents of the study.
 Note any assumptions made

42. FINDINGS
 Identify the problems found in the case. Each
analysis of a problem should be supported by
facts given in the case together with the relevant
theory and course concepts.
 • This section is often divided into sub-sections,
one for each problem.

43. DISCUSSION
 Summarise the major problem/s
 Identify alternative solutions
 Briefly outline each alternative solution and then
evaluate it in terms of its advantages and
disadvantages
 No need to refer to theory or coursework here.

44. CONCLUSION
 Sum up the main points from the findings and
discussion

45. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Choose which of the alternative solutions should
be adopted
 Briefly justify your choice explaining how it will
solve the major problem/s
 This should be written in a forceful style as this
section is intended to be persuasive
 Here integration of theory and coursework is
appropriate

46. IMPLEMENTATION
 Explain what should be done, by whom and by
when
 If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs
(both financial and time).

47. REFERENCES
 Make sure all references are sited correctly

48. APPENDICES (IF ANY)
 Note any original data that relates to the study
but which would have interrupted the flow of the
main body.

49. FACTORS FOR JUDGING A
GOOD CASE RESEARCH
 What is new?
 So what?
 Why so?
 Well done?
 Done well?
 Why now?
 Who cares?

50. SUMMARY
 All research includes cases, but not everything is
case study research
 Focus on context: uniqueness + analytical
generalization
 3 types: theory building, theory testing, problem
solving
 Design choices: nr of cases, timeframe, type of
data

51. HOW TO OUTLINE A CASE
STUDY
 Instructions
 1 State the problem in the first line of the outline. Create subheadings
under the problem statement to explain parts of the problem that
might not be self-evident.
 2 Write the thesis statement as the next major point. The thesis
statement is the purpose of the paper. In this case, it should outline the
solution to the case study problem. Create subheadings under the
thesis statement to explain any parts of the thesis that are not self-
evident.
 3 List the theories relevant to the case study and thesis statement. Each
theory should be its own main point. Create subheadings under each
theory to explain key parts or terms.

52.  4 Explain your method of research in three or four main points.
This describes how you went about the case study. Explain any
variables or constants.
 5 Write the main findings of the case study in two or three
points. These findings should be a direct result of applying the
theories to the case study. They should support your thesis
statement. Use subheadings to explain each point, if necessary.
 6 Summarize the problem, thesis statement and theories in one
or two points. This effectively wraps up your paper and details
any further research that should take place.

53.  SWOT

54. STRENGTHS
 Advantages of proposition?  Marketing - reach, distribution,
awareness?
 Capabilities?
 Innovative aspects?
 Competitive advantages?
 Location and geographical?
 USP's (unique selling
points)?  Price, value, quality?
 Resources, Assets, People?  Accreditations, qualifications,
certifications?
 Experience, knowledge,
data?  Processes, systems, IT,
communications?
 Financial reserves, likely
returns?  Cultural, attitudinal,
behavioural?

55. WEAKNESSES
 Disadvantages of  Cashflow, start-up cash-
proposition? drain?
 Gaps in capabilities?  Continuity, supply chain
robustness?
 Lack of competitive strength?
 Effects on core activities,
 Reputation, presence and distraction?
reach?
 Reliability of data, plan
 Financials? predictability?
 Own known vulnerabilities?  Morale, commitment,
 Timescales, deadlines and leadership?
pressures?  Accreditations, etc?
 Processes and systems, etc?

56. OPPORTUNITIES
 Market developments?  Niche target markets?
 Competitors' vulnerabilities?  Geographical, export, import?
 Industry or lifestyle trends?  Market need for new USP's?
 Technology development and  Market response to tactics, e.g
innovation? surprise?
 Global influences?  Major contracts, tenders?
 New markets, vertical,  Business and product
horizontal? development?
 Market volume demand  Information and research?
trends?
 Partnerships, agencies,
 Seasonal, weather, fashion distribution?
influences?

57. THREATS
 Political effects?  Vital contracts and partners?
 Legislative effects?  Obstacles faced?
 Environmental effects?  Insurmountable weaknesses?
 IT developments?  Employment market?
 Competitor intentions -  Financial and credit
various? pressures?
 Market demand?  Economy - home, abroad?
 New technologies, services,  Seasonality, weather effects?
ideas?

58.  end