Case Study

Directions

Using information from the textbook and from outside reading, the  student should respond to each question below as regards the  corresponding case study (don’t forget to number each response) in  approximately 2-3 paragraphs per question. All cited material must  include both internal citations and a complete reference list at the end  of the paper. A cover sheet should minimally indicate the Case Study  number, the name of the course, the student’s name and the date.

How to Write a Case Study

You have to think like a practicing manager if you want to analyze a  case successfully. As part of your analysis, it is necessary, but not  sufficient to answer the following questions in enough depth to show  that you have performed more than a superficial reading of the case’s  content, and subsequently applied relevant theory.

• What is the issue being presented or analyzed in the  case? Focus on the main issue in the case if more than one topic is  presented. Use your judgment to decide on which issue is the one that is  potentially most costly to an organization if left unresolved. There  are more kinds of cost to be considered than economic costs. Do not  neglect them in your analysis.
• Where did the issue take place? Consider this because  you need to take into account cultural and environmental considerations  that may differ from those of the United States, in your analysis.
• When did the issue take place? There may be historic  and environmental considerations different from those of the United  States, which should be taken into account in your analysis.
• Who was affected by the issues? In other words, who are  the stakeholders inside and outside of the organization that need to be  considered when formulating an analysis, and possible response to the  situation?
• Why did the issue occur? This may involve conjecture on  your part. It is all right to speculate; just identify your speculation  as such. In an empirical case, causal factors may be identified as  such.
• How would you, as a manager, apply the insights gained from the case to improve an (your) organization’s operations?

I expect to read narrative answers that are written in grammatically  correct, well-formulated English sentences. Each paragraph should be  organized around a single topic, and transitions should flow logically  from one paragraph to the next.

If you have questions about your writing, you are more than welcome  to contact me and we can work through ways to improve your answers.

Cases

Chapter 16, Case Study 16.1 – Asda: a winning formula

Please read the case and:

1. Make recommendations as to how you would have managed the situation if you had been the newly appointed CEO.
2. Provide any changes that you would make to your recommendations as  separate comments after you have read the chapter. If there are no  changes, a brief statement to that effect will suffice.
3. You may want to consider the above factors (“How to write a case  study”) when you are preparing your case answers as an aid to organizing  your information if you find it helpful.

Chapter 17, Case Study 17.1 – Planning for change at Bairrada Wines

1. Read the case.
2. Answer questions 1 through 5 on page 306.
3. Provide your analysis regarding why the proposed change plan failed.
4. Provide your recommendations for how the change plan should have been handled in this case. 
   1. You may want to consider the above factors (“How to write a case  study”) when you are preparing your case answers as an aid to organizing  your information if you find it helpful.