What is Exactly a Case Study? Know Purpose, Characteristics, Methods, Elements, Strategies+ Much More!
There are different types of case studies depending on how they are structured, what is the target audience, and the research methodology used. And your conclusion may vary depending on the nature of the case study.
Some of the most common case studies are:
- Historical: Historical events have a multitude of sources offering different perspectives. These perspectives can be applied, compared, and thoroughly analyzed in the modern world.
- Problem-oriented: This type of case study is used for solving problems. You can use theoretical situations where you immerse yourself in a situation. Through this, you can thoroughly examine a problem and find ways to resolve it.
- Cumulative: In a cumulative study, you gather information and offer comparisons. An example of this is a business case study that tells people about a product’s value.
- Critical: Critical case studies focus on exploring the causes and effects of a particular situation. To do this, you can have varying amounts of research and various interviews.
- Illustrative: In this case study, certain events are described, as well as the lessons learned.
In education, case studies can serve as the launching pad for a class discussion, or as a project for individuals or small groups. A single case may be presented to several groups, with each group offering its solutions.
Used as a teaching tool, a case study:
- engages students in research and reflective discussion
- encourages higher-order thinking
- facilitates creative problem solving
- allows students to develop realistic solutions to complex problems
- develops students' ability to identify and distinguish between critical and extraneous factors
- enables students to apply previously acquired skills
- creates an opportunity for students to learn from one another.
These academic papers can be classified into six categories and serve various purposes. Different types of case studies aim to explore the issues that occur within the confines of a particular situation, environment, or organization. The following methods can be applied to any subject area: the arts, psychology, economics, or politics.
Illustrative
The illustrative case study is one of the principal types of qualitative research methodology. It investigates a specific event, phenomenon, or well-known case. It’s not focused on testing a hypothesis or establishing causality, but it’s primarily descriptive and commonly employs one or two instances to illustrate the situation's nature.
Example:
An illustrative approach can be applied to investigating a successful marketing campaign a company executes. In this scenario, the researcher would use qualitative methodologies, such as surveys and interviews, to accumulate data and understand the campaign’s purposes, messaging, target audience, and strategies.
Exploratory
This approach is used in a preliminary investigation undertaken before a comprehensive study. Social sciences, such as political science and psychology, commonly utilize this type of research to examine real-life situations and contexts.
Example:
An exploratory paper can investigate a new service or product provided by a company, using methods like focus groups, interviews, and observation to collect information.
Cumulative
It is a prominent qualitative research method used to gather information from multiple sources at various times.
Example:
A cumulative method may be used in a research project exploring the effectiveness of different treatments for a health condition. The researcher would gather data from numerous sources, such as patient records, surveys of patients who have undergone treatment, and interviews with healthcare providers.
Critical instance
Case studies of critical instances are focused on a particular pivotal or critical case or event.
Example:
A critical instance can be applied to analyzing a specific legal case significantly impacting an industry or community. The researcher would gather data from court records, media coverage, and interviews with key individuals to gain insight into the social, legal, and political factors that affected the case’s outcome and its consequences for the industry or community.
Intrinsic
These studies are prevalent in psychology, although they can also be carried out in social work and healthcare.
Example:
A researcher may conduct an intrinsic case study to understand Huntington’s disease, a rare medical condition, and its impact on patients and their families.
Descriptive
If you have a hypothesis, you can devise a descriptive study, which begins with defining the topic under investigation.
Example:
A researcher could conduct a descriptive case study of a rare and unique archaeological artifact.
- Read the case thoroughly.
- Define the central issue.
- Define the firm's goals.
- Identify the constraints to the problem.
- Identify all the relevant alternatives.
- Select the best alternative.
- Develop an implementation plan.
The strategies must be clear and object oriented. Your case studies must be according to your needs required to be addressed. So consider the following points, when choosing a suitable case study
1. The topic of the research
Choosing a case study is much easier if you have a strong foundation of what your research topic is all about.
For example, if your topic has to do with the supply chain system, it would be wise to employ a case study within the industry. This is to enable you to get data and responses from people who are experienced in that sector.p
2. Generalisation
Most times, it is always hard to justify the choice of a case study. In a case study, there is always a sample size. The findings from these samples need to be generalisable. The findings should be applicable to the whole phenomena.
For example, if you chose one school as a case study, the findings should be such that other schools within that demography can relate to it. Generalisation of samples can be done if the case study design has been properly informed by theory, and can, therefore, be seen to add to the established theory
Steps in executing a case study as a research strategy
1. Make sure that the case study fits your research questions
Case studies are useful in providing answers to 'How?' and 'Why?' questions, and in this role can be used for the following types of research: exploratory, descriptive and analytical/explanatory research. A case study research is useful when: A how or why question is being asked about a contemporary set of events over which the investigator has little or no control.
2. Selecting a case study
There are two options in selecting case studies:
a. Single Case Study: In this option, the researcher selects one organization within an industry/market as a case
b. Multiple Case Study: In this option, the researcher selects multiple organizations within an industry/market as cases.
3. Selecting a depth
There are two options in selecting a depth:
a. Holistic Case Study
In this option, the researcher studies the case as a whole or as a unit. The researcher selects a single organization and examines every process, aspect and relationships with its industry/market.
b. Embedded Case Study
In this option, the researcher studies some aspects of the cases. The researcher selects some organizations and examines some aspects like sales, marketing, accounting process e.t.c of these companies.
Designing case reports takes time and energy. So, is it worth taking the time to write them?
Here are the benefits of creating case studies.
- Collects large amounts of information
- Helps formulate hypotheses
- Builds the case for further research
- Discovers new insights into a subject
- Builds brand trust and loyalty
- Engages customers through stories
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1. Inform the reader precisely why your case study and your findings are relevant
Your conclusion is where you point out the significance of your study. You can cite a specific case in your work and explain how it applies to other relevant cases.
2. Restate your thesis and your main findings
Remind your readers of the thesis statement you made in your introduction but don’t just copy it directly. Also, make sure to mention your main findings to back up your thesis.
3. Give a summary of previous case studies you reviewed
What did you discover that was different about your case? How was previous research helpful? Include this in your conclusion.
4. End with recommendations
Wrap up your paper by explaining how your case study and findings could form part of future research on the topic. You can also express your recommendations by commenting on how certain studies, programs, or policies could be improved.
How Long Should Your Conclusion Be?
1. The length of your conclusion may vary depending on whether you’re writing a thesis or a dissertation.
2. At least 5-9 percent of your overall word count should be dedicated to your conclusion.
3. Often, empirical scientific studies have brief conclusions describing the main findings and recommendations for future research.
4. On the other hand, humanities topics or systematic reviews may require more space to conclude their analysis. They will need to integrate all the previous sections into an overall argument.
Case Studies in Entrepreneurship by Most entrepreneurship and small business textbooks contain few, if any, cases that an instructor can use with students and illustrate important theories or topics from the course. This book contains cutting-edge case studies that illustrate key problems confronting contemporary entrepreneurs. Set in familiar business environments, this original set of cases provides useful insights into the experiences of real-world entrepreneurs for classroom environments. Key features include: Innovative and exciting cases that present common business scenarios, offering practical perspectives for up-and-coming entrepreneurs A theory-based online Instructor's Manual, featuring topic summaries, learning objectives, teaching suggestions and key questions to aid classroom discussion Exceptional coverage of critical entrepreneurship issues, including opportunity recognition, funding a new business, sustaining ventures, social entrepreneurship and challenges faced by collegiate entrepreneurs. An ideal companion for instructors and students, this book is essential reading for MBA courses in entrepreneurship, non-profit management and social entrepreneurship, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and management that specialize in entrepreneurshipLocation: OnlinePublication Date: 2021
Case Studies in Work, Employment and Human Resource Management by This comprehensive book offers a fascinating set of over 40 evidence-based case studies derived from international research on work, employment and human resource management (HRM). Written in an accessible style, this book comprises contributions from leading experts in the field, covering contemporary applications of complex issues related to the future of work, employment regulations, leadership cultures and human resource strategy. Key features include: Research-based case studies for HRM, employment relations and leadership teaching purposes An online companion for tutors featuring points for discussion and guided assessments for students Critical questions to stimulate classroom conversation. Providing important insights into real-world scenarios, this book is a useful supplement to any business and management class focusing on HRM, employment relations and leadership. Contributors include:A. Athelstan, C. Atkinson, W. Been, C. Bischoff, P. Boselie, J. Brooks, G. Caillard, J. Chan, H. Cook, N. Cullinane, R. Deakin, W. Despotovic, T. Dobbins, J. Donaghey, T. Dundon, R. Fells, R.B. Gould, I. Grugulis, P. Gunnigle, K. Hardy, B. Harney, G. Harve, E. Hickland, H. Hoel, S.A. Hurrell, J. Jenkins, M. Johnson, S. Johnstone, S. Jooss, P.J. Jordan, A. Kellner, L. Kemp, E. Knies, A. Kynighou, D.H. Langerud, J. Lavelle, F. Lee Cooke, P. Leisink, M. Martinez Lucio, L. McCann, A. McDonnell, G. Mazzoni, S. Monaghan, P. Mowbray, C. Murphy, S. Mustchin, R. O'Donnell, W. O'Donohue, M. O'Sullivan, N. Payton, S. Procter, P. Prowse, A. Rafferty, S. Ressia, R. Robinson, A. Roe, L. Ryan, T.F.H. Said, F.R. Sánchez, D. Scholarios, H. Scullion, V. Telljohann, A.R. Timming, P. Turnbull, M. Walker, C. Warhurst, M. Whittall, S. Wiblen, S. Wild, A. Wilkinson, J. Winterton, J. Wolfram Cox, G. Wood, C. Woodhams, S. Wright, R. ZeffaneLocation: OnlineISBN: 9781788975575Publication Date: 2020
Cause-Related Marketing: Case Studies From a Global Perspective by This textbook uses a case study approach to present a variety of cause-related marketing campaigns that have been developed by companies, and NGOs. These innovative case studies help students understand how such campaigns affect for-profit and non-profit organizations, customers, and society in general. This book also offers numerous useful examples to understand the theory of cause-related marketing and how it can be applied in different countries and cultural contexts. Lecturers will find the teaching notes provided with each case useful for the classroom. Location: onlinePublication Date: 2021
Ethics in Finance: Case Studies from a Woman’s Life on Wall Street by This award-winning book comprises multiple finance and ethics case studies. The purpose of the book is twofold. First, the case studies teach readers how to evaluate and determine resolutions to ethical issues in finance. Second, the reader will enjoy a journey with the author, a woman, over her years working in finance, through the use of case studies. Prefaced by the additional of video introductions, these studies focus on ethical issues in finance which the author encountered over nearly a 30-year career in the industry. There are 10 case studies extracted from different sectors of finance. This broad range is a consequence of the author's experience from almost all sides of the business: the buy side, the sell side, equity research in Asia, equity sales, mutual funds, hedge funds, the finance academy, and consulting. Each case study has an engaging narrative describing the background, transactions, players, and ethical issues. The ethical issue is analyzed and resolved using the appropriate theories of moral philosophy. Descriptions and analyses are rigorous yet comprehensible, approachable, and entertaining. Apart from ethics determinations, the material in the book covers and explains a variety of specific, and even complex, financial transactions. In every transaction there is an explanation of the roles of various players involved. In this way, readers will learn about the work of people in different positions in finance from investment bankers and equity traders to portfolio managers and equity analysts. Through these case studies, readers also will get an understanding of major financial transactions and activities such as IPOs, secondary offerings, equity trading, and equity valuations. The book will appeal to practitioners, college and high school students, and lecturers who can use it to supplement courses in finance or business ethics. Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2023
Family Business Case Studies Across the World by This book presents a unique collection of case studies from across the globe to create a comprehensive understanding of how family firms can respond to future disruptions. Each case contains learning notes with objectives, discussion questions and suggested readings to facilitate learner understanding and engagement with the topic. Cases on topics such as global succession and governance practices will aid strategic decision-making capabilities in family businesses and will also benefit practitioners in these areas. Diverse in terms of generational involvement, demographic groups, cultural aspects, institutional settings and industries, the cases range from founder-led SMEs to multi-generational family conglomerates in 18 countries spanning over four continents. In addition to identifying successful practices, this book offers unconventional wisdom on the impact of family feuds, sudden death, divorce and multiple marriages on family businesses. It concludes by exposing new understandings on succession and the unique role played by rising-generation leaders in this disruptive era. Informed by the common research paradigm of the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practice (STEP) Project Global Consortium, this book will provide a practical learning experience for advanced students and scholars of family business, family entrepreneurship, and strategic management studies.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2022
Futures Thinking and Organizational Policy Case Studies for Managing Rapid Change in Technology, Globalization and Workforce Diversity by This book proposes that organizational policies are what ensure the institutionalization and sustainability of futures thinking in organizations. It presents several case studies from corporations and other institutions that describe effective use of foresight methods and internal policies to respond to rapid change. The case studies address changing trends in technology, globalization and/or workforce diversity, and the impact on the economic and political well-being of the organization. The editors also develop an organizational capability maturity model for futures thinking as well as providing questions for discussion that promote critical review of each case chapter. This book will inform scholars and organizational leaders how best to utilize foresight methodologies and organizational policies to sustain successful management strategies within futures thinking organizations. Chapter 9 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2019
How Nonprofits Work: Case Studies in Nonprofit Organizations by How Nonprofits Work looks at nonprofit organizations through a sociological lens, identifying characteristics that make some nonprofits successful and characteristics that cause challenges, focusing on nonprofts in the health services sector. The book opens with helpful background information about nonprofit organizations, then shares case studies that take readers more deeply into the challenges and successes of various organizations. Given the trials nonprofits face in the current economic climate, this timely book helps readers move beyond the good intentions in nonprofits to find successful practices.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2013
Indian Business Case Studies Volume I by Indian cases from different areas of management like finance, human resource management, marketing, and strategic operations management. Part of a eight-volume set that has around 160 case studies.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2022
Innovation Project Management by Actionable tools, processes and metrics for successfully managing innovation projects Conventional project management methods are oftentimes insufficient for managing innovation projects. Innovation is lost under the pre-determined scope and forecasted environments of traditional project management. There is tremendous pressure on organizations to innovate, and the project managers responsible for managing these innovation projects do not have the training or tools to do their jobs effectively. Innovation Project Management provides the tools, insights, and metrics needed to successfully manage innovation projects--helping readers identify problems in their organization, conceive elegant solutions, and, when necessary, promote changes to their organizational culture. There are several kinds of innovation--ranging from incremental changes to existing products to wholly original processes that emerge from market-disrupting new technology--that possess different characteristics and often require different tools. Best-selling author and project management expert Harold Kerzner integrates innovation, project management, and strategic planning to offer students and practicing professionals the essential tools and processes to analyze innovation from all sides. Innovation Project Management deconstructs traditional project management methods and explains why and how innovation projects should be managed differently. This invaluable resource: Provides practical advice and actionable tools for effectively managing innovation projects Offers value-based project management metrics and guidance on how to establish a metrics management program Shares exclusive insights from project managers at world-class organizations such as Airbus, Boeing, Hitachi, IBM, and Siemens on how they manage innovation projects Explores a variety of types of innovation including co-creation, value-driven, agile, open versus closed, and more Instructors have access to PowerPoint lecture slides by chapter through the book's companion website Innovation Project Management: Methods, Case Studies, and Tools for Managing Innovation Projects is an essential text for professional project managers, corporate managers, innovation team members, as well as students in project management, innovation and entrepreneurship programs.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2019
Management, Uncertainty, and Accounting: Case Studies, Theoretical Models, and Useful Strategies by This book is a capstone to the magisterial career of one of Japan's most senior scholars of risk, accounting, and management. How can companies and organizations navigate today's world, rife with unexpected challenges and opportunities? In this trenchant book, Nishimura offers case studies, theoretical models, and useful strategies for the new normal. This book will be useful to scholars, businesspeople, and bankers. Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2018
The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability Case Studies and Practical Solutions by This book provides a comprehensive overview of the practice of sustainability through a diverse range of case studies spanning across varied fields and areas of expertise. It provides a clear indication as to the contemporary state of sustainability in a time faced by issues such as global climate change, challenges of environmental justice, economic globalization and environmental contamination. The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability explores three broad themes: Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability and Economic Sustainability. The authors critically explore these themes and provide insight into their linkages with one another to demonstrate the substantial efforts currently underway to address the sustainability of our planet. This handbook is an important contribution to the best practises on sustainability, drawn from many different examples across the fields of engineering, geology, anthropology, sociology, biology, chemistry and religion.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2018
Project Management Case Studies by A new edition of the most popular book of project management case studies, expanded to include more than 100 cases plus a "super case" on the Iridium Project Case studies are an important part of project management education and training. This Fourth Edition of Harold Kerzner's Project Management Case Studies features a number of new cases covering value measurement in project management. Also included is the well-received "super case," which covers all aspects of project management and may be used as a capstone for a course. This new edition: Contains 100-plus case studies drawn from real companies to illustrate both successful and poor implementation of project management Represents a wide range of industries, including medical and pharmaceutical, aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, finance and banking, and telecommunications Covers cutting-edge areas of construction and international project management plus a "super case" on the Iridium Project, covering all aspects of project management Follows and supports preparation for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Exam Project Management Case Studies, Fourth Edition is a valuable resource for students, as well as practicing engineers and managers, and can be used on its own or with the new Eleventh Edition of Harold Kerzner's landmark reference, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2013
Strategic Leadership for Business Value Creation by This book focuses on leadership and strategy, corporate governance, operational excellence, and corporate social responsibility. In doing so, it offers both conceptual perspectives and case studies on these topics that are targeted at business executives who want to develop and mature towards being successful value creators in their leadership roles. Authored by the former CEO of National Australia Bank (NAB), Don Argus, and business school professor Danny Samson, the book provides insights on the strategic leadership factors that make a significant and positive difference when they are executed effectively and, in contrast, what happens when ineffective leadership/ strategy are deployed. It proposes and illustrates core leadership axioms, and also delves into sustainable development as an element of strategy. The authors do this by developing and illustrating core concepts that relate to the two major case study companies of NAB and BHP. Readers will be particularly interested in the core elements of leadership and strategy, and the grounded reality of how they operated in the case studies. The authors bring insiders' and leaders' perspectives to these topics, including tables that document shareholder value creation, and the logic behind strategic decisions, as well as key organisational leadership and strategic decision processes. Location: onlinePublication Date: 2021
Women in Business: Theory and Cases by This book combines theory, empirical research, and practical, international case studies to provide students with a comprehensive resource that demonstrates theories on gender alongside their operation in everyday workplace situations. Reeves's new edition provides a thorough review of issues important to women in the workplace, including gender discrimination and the legal framework for equity at work. The book uses case studies to illustrate key themes and introduces several new features, including: Updated statistics on women's participation in the workforce Updated examples of resources for women in business Two new chapters covering negotiation and influencing skills and women in STEM fields New case studies, featuring comparisons between the position of women in the United States and in other countries An instructor's manual with advice, suggested answers to the end-of-chapter questions, and additional resources This is a one-stop resource for any student interested in gender theory and issues that affect women in the workplace.Location: OnlinePublication Date: 2016
Here are some selection of the top cases taken as reference from
https://som.yale.edu/news/2018/12/top-40-most-popular-case-studies-of-2018
#1 - Coffee 2016
Faculty Supervision: Todd Cort
Coffee 2016 asks students to consider the coffee supply chain and generate ideas for what can be done to equalize returns across various stakeholders. The case draws a parallel between coffee and wine. Both beverages encourage connoisseurship, but only wine growers reap a premium for their efforts to ensure quality. The case describes the history of coffee production across the world, the rise of the “third wave” of coffee consumption in the developed world, the efforts of the Illy Company to help coffee growers, and the differences between “fair” trade and direct trade. Faculty have found the case provides a wide canvas to discuss supply chain issues, examine marketing practices, and encourage creative solutions to business problems.
#2 - Shake Shack IPO
Faculty Supervision: Jake Thomas and Geert Rouwenhorst
From an art project in a New York City park, Shake Shack developed a devoted fan base that greeted new Shake Shack locations with cheers and long lines. When Shake Shack went public on January 30, 2015, investors displayed a similar enthusiasm. Opening day investors bid up the $21 per share offering price by 118% to reach $45.90 at closing bell. By the end of May, investors were paying $92.86 per share. Students are asked if this price represented a realistic valuation of the enterprise and if not, what was Shake Shack truly worth? The case provides extensive information on Shake Shack’s marketing, competitors, operations and financials, allowing instructors to weave a wide variety of factors into a valuation of the company.
#3 - IBM Corporate Service Corps
Faculty Supervision: David Bach in cooperation with University of Ghana Business School and EGADE
The case considers IBM’s Corporate Service Corps (CSC), a program that had become the largest pro bono consulting program in the world. The case describes the program’s triple-benefit: leadership training to the brightest young IBMers, brand recognition for IBM in emerging markets, and community improvement in the areas served by IBM’s host organizations. As the program entered its second decade in 2016, students are asked to consider how the program can be improved. The case allows faculty to lead a discussion about training, marketing in emerging economies, and various ways of providing social benefit. The case highlights the synergies as well as trade-offs between pursuing these triple benefits.
#4 - Children’s Premier
Faculty Supervision: Edieal Pinker
The case describes Children’s Premier, a popular group practice in Greenwich, Connecticut which, due to a change in the state’s vaccination law, decides to dramatically change its business model. Did the group make the right adjustments in order to stay competitive and cover their increasing costs? Should the new practices cause a newcomer to the practice to look elsewhere for his children?
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