Case studies
Teaching cases offers students the opportunity to explore real world challenges in the classroom environment, allowing them to test their assumptions and decision-making skills before taking their knowledge into the workplace.
Suresh Kumar, Hyder Ali, Muhammad Asim and Waseem Sajjad
1. Understand the impact of macroeconomic factors on investment portfolios:Students will learn how macroeconomic conditions, such as changes in policy rates by central banks…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the impact of macroeconomic factors on investment portfolios:Students will learn how macroeconomic conditions, such as changes in policy rates by central banks, influence investment decisions and portfolio performance. They will analyze how these factors can lead to significant financial challenges for managed funds.2. Develop strategic financial decision-making skills:Through examining the case, students will practice making strategic financial decisions under uncertain and volatile market conditions. They will explore various options for managing an underperforming investment fund and the potential outcomes of these choices.3. Evaluate risk management techniques:The case provides a platform for students to understand different risk management strategies, including the trade-offs between holding long-term bonds versus reinvesting in short-term securities. They will assess the risks and benefits of these strategies and how they impact fund stability and performance.4. Enhance skills in portfolio management:Students will gain practical experience in portfolio management by examining the fund’s investment decisions, performance metrics and the process of presenting and defending investment proposals. This will involve analyzing the financial and strategic implications of different asset allocations.5. Apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios:The case encourages students to apply theoretical concepts such as yield to maturity (YTM) calculation, discounted cash flow analysis, capital asset pricing models and benchmarking against indices to real-world scenarios. This helps bridge the gap between academic principles and practical application in finance.
Case overview/synopsis
The case study centered on the Sukkur IBA University in Pakistan, highlighting the challenges faced by its student-managed fund (SMF). From November 2015 to January 2023, the case study offers a comprehensive examination of the fund’s activities in the financial services and higher education domains. Mr Shankar Talreja, the fund manager, contemplating with significant investment losses because of macroeconomic fluctuations, specifically the rising policy rates by the State Bank of Pakistan. These losses challenge the sustainability of the SMF, which serves as a practical learning platform for students. The primary dilemma revolves around whether to continue operating the fund amid consistent losses or to dissolve it, redirecting resources to other educational programs. This case focuses on financial decision-making, risk management and investment strategies, tailored for academic settings.
Complexity academic level
This case study is intended for use in graduate- and undergraduate-level courses on corporate strategy, investment management and finance. It is appropriate for graduate students who are looking to apply these concepts more deeply as well as undergraduate students who have a strong foundation in finance due to the complexity of the financial concepts involved, such as risk management, portfolio strategy and macroeconomic impacts.
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Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject Code
CSS1: Accounting and Finance.
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Somraj Sarkar and Shweta Sharma
This case serves as a teaching tool to illustrate the application of data-driven decision-making approaches within the contexts of entrepreneurship and hospitality management. The…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case serves as a teaching tool to illustrate the application of data-driven decision-making approaches within the contexts of entrepreneurship and hospitality management. The following objectives also align with categories in Bloom’s taxonomy (keywords underlined).▪ Evaluate the merits and demerits of potential business decisions through a data-driven analytical framework. This objective maps to discussion Question 3, 4, 5.▪ Evaluate the relevance and usability of available data and market research reports for effective data-driven decision-making. This objective maps to discussion Question 2.▪ Analyze business data and financial reports to evaluate business strategies such as marketing, vendor management and workforce management strategies. This objective maps to discussion Question 1.▪ Apply industry-specific business metrics such as the Menu engineering matrix to analyze the performance of menu offerings. This objective maps to discussion Question 5.
Case overview/synopsis
The decision-based case explores the challenges faced by Siddhartha Das, the founder of FoodWise Pvt Ltd, a multi-cuisine restaurant based out of Kolkata, India. Das initially launched an online Bengali meal delivery service in 2017, which successfully expanded into an offline multi-cuisine retail outlet by October 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a significant blow to his business, preventing it from achieving profitability. The case is set in July 2021, where Das reviews his half-yearly performance report recognizing the imminent risks threatening his food venture unless immediate changes are undertaken. The multi-cuisine nature of his restaurant business necessitated higher expenditures on specialty chefs and costly vendors to maintain premium food quality. Faced with a dilemma, Das must decide whether to continue with the current multi-cuisine model and find ways to manage costs or to evaluate the performance of his six cuisines and consider switching his venture to a specialized cuisine restaurant. The case invites students to assist Das in making a data-driven strategic decision by using Menu Engineering and exploratory data analysis techniques.
Complexity academic level
This case study is designed for master’s level students in business management, with specializations in marketing, strategy or business analytics, as well as for students in specialized management programs in hospitality or entrepreneurship. It can also be included in management development programs on data-driven decision-making. It is particularly well-suited for management elective courses on hospitality management or entrepreneurship. The case can be positioned in the second half of the course, once students have been exposed to financial reporting and data analysis techniques. Topics such as menu engineering and data-driven decision-making can be effectively explored through this case.
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Subject code
CSS 12: Tourism and Hospitality.
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Seema Laddha and Kamatchi Iyer
The case study aims to facilitate a deep understanding of the strategic decisions in the context of asset-light model, its competitive advantage and industry dynamics within the…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The case study aims to facilitate a deep understanding of the strategic decisions in the context of asset-light model, its competitive advantage and industry dynamics within the context of the Indian hospitality sector. Suggested teaching objectives for the case study are as follows:▪ Analyze the strategic decisions made by Lemon Tree Hotels in the context of the Indian hospitality industry.▪ Evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition from an ownership-centric model to an asset-light strategy.▪ Discuss the competitive advantage built by Lemon Tree Hotels and the implications of its unique market offering.▪ Explore the impact of the post-pandemic era on the hospitality sector and the strategic adjustments made by the company.▪ Encourage critical thinking about the future trajectory of Lemon Tree Hotels, considering the ownership dilemma and evolving market dynamics.
Case overview/synopsis
The case study explores the strategic decisions made by Lemon Tree Hotels, a mid-market hotel chain in India, at the intersection of ownership and asset-light strategies. The founder, Patanjali Keswani, faced a dilemma of whether to persist with the ownership-centric model that propelled the company’s success or to pivot toward an asset-light approach, acknowledging the capital-intensive nature inherent in the industry. The case delves into the complexities of expansion, the adoption of an asset-light model and the challenges and opportunities encountered. Keswani’s calculated decisions and the company’s unique offering established its competitive edge. However, the shift to an asset-light model raised questions about the sustainability of this advantage in the more competitive mid-segment hospitality sector. The case discusses the challenges in the mid-market hotel industry in India, the transformative changes in consumer expectations and the strategic significance of the company’s transition to an asset-light model. The narrative unfolds through a lens that considers the competitive advantage built on a positive brand image, operational efficiency and a unique market offering. The case concludes at a strategic juncture, leaving Keswani and Lemon Tree Hotels grappling with the dilemma of ownership versus asset-light strategies, with implications for the company’s future trajectory.
Complexity academic level
The case study is designed for postgraduate students studying management, business administration and strategic management.
Supplementary material
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS11: Strategy.
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Vijayshankar Krishnamurthy and M.R. Suresh
The learning outcomes are as follows: develop an understanding of challenges faced by organizations regarding strategic planning; examine the strategies formulated by…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are as follows: develop an understanding of challenges faced by organizations regarding strategic planning; examine the strategies formulated by organizations that can enable wider adoption of a service offering; analyse service quality gaps that will provide new insights; and evaluate the strategic choices that would impact the growth of the organization.
Case overview/synopsis
Peter Bushwash International (PBI) was an organization that managed 60 tennis centres in 25 countries. With a staff of 100 tennis coaches worldwide, over 3 million students participated in PBI’s tennis programs. Cesar Morales was appointed the Technical Director on a two-year contract for the PBI’s new tennis centre in Bangalore (India). Morales had to decide if a decentralized strategy (hub-and-spoke model) would create broader growth for the PBI tennis program instead of operating as a premium hub with fewer students.
Complexity academic level
The case was written for organizational strategy, marketing and service quality courses for undergraduate business students (BBA).
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Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 7: Management Science.
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Kimberly R. Shannon, Marcy Faircloth, Malgorzata Plecka and Teo D. Shannon
This descriptive case is drawn from the secondary sources by Mungaray (2018), a dissertation. The author, Kimberly R. Shannon (f.k.a. Mungaray) conducted the qualitative research…
Abstract
Research methodology
This descriptive case is drawn from the secondary sources by Mungaray (2018), a dissertation. The author, Kimberly R. Shannon (f.k.a. Mungaray) conducted the qualitative research over several months that included several dialogue or talking sessions with organization personnel. Additionally, she collected journals kept by the participants and conducted one-on-one interviews with each participant before and after the series of talking sessions. IRB approval was obtained prior to data collection. The people and places were disguised pursuant to the secondary sources. No AI was used in the writing of the case or Instructors’ Manual.
Case overview/synopsis
This descriptive case study considers the dynamics surrounding the promotion of women to top management (partner) in a Certified Public Accounting firm. The case study presents the perspectives of the current partner and the potential partners to help students recognize microinsults, microinvalidations and other privileged behaviors that perpetuate stereotype threat and learned helplessness, which thus creates barriers to career progression. These often unintentional comments and behaviors may further marginalize certain people (women, people of color and other marginalized identities, including an intersection of identities). The case concentrates on gender inequities and helps students develop an understanding of leadership implications while exercising their ability to consider multiple perspectives and motives. The case enables students to develop a plan of allyship.
Complexity academic level
This case is appropriate for undergraduate courses in ethics, organizational behavior, leadership, industrial psychology, sociology, women and gender studies, capstone courses in business or accounting and communications. Graduate courses in organizational behavior, leadership and women and gender studies.
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John S. Marsh and Samira Fallah
The case was developed from interviews with the couple. Josh is a coauthor. The other coauthor was incorporated to offer an unbiased perspective. The names and banking…
Abstract
Research methodology
The case was developed from interviews with the couple. Josh is a coauthor. The other coauthor was incorporated to offer an unbiased perspective. The names and banking institutions are disguised, but the financial information represents the couple’s actual financial situation at the time.
Case overview/synopsis
This case centers on Josh and Selene Stone, a real couple whose identities have been disguised. They are striving to optimize their budget and save for a better home. The case outlines the couple’s goals and details their income and expenses by providing their bank and credit card statements for a 3-month period. Students are tasked with applying their financial planning knowledge and skills to create a budget for the couple and make recommendations to optimize their spending patterns.
Complexity academic level
The case was designed for use in an introductory undergraduate Personal Finance course where personal budgeting is discussed. The case is best positioned following a lecture/discussion on personal budgeting such as:▪ Chapter 2 of Focus on Personal Finance by Kapoor, Dlabay, Hughes and Hart.▪ Chapter 3 of Personal Finance by Garman and Forgue.▪ Chapter 2 of Personal Finance by Keown.▪ Chapter 5 of Personal Finance by Siegel and Yacht.This paper has seen Personal Finance offered at a general education level, as an elective for Business Administration majors, or even as a required class in a specialized Financial Planning curriculum. Positioning a case in Personal Finance can often be challenging because of the diverse nature of these audiences. In this case, this paper has tried to use plain language whenever possible to make it accessible to a broad range of students while providing enough data for business students to make informed financial planning recommendations.
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Suddhachit Mitra and Amrita Sengupta
This case study introduces some elements of strategic management process that instils competitive advantage on an entity such as a higher educational institute (HEI). It…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case study introduces some elements of strategic management process that instils competitive advantage on an entity such as a higher educational institute (HEI). It endeavours to achieve the following goals: comprehend strategy implementation through the sustainability paradigm; demonstrate the concept of cost-benefit analysis in strategy; analyse the challenges to new product adoption; and deliberate on extension of the project to include newer areas for greening. Thus, students would be taught about strategy implementation through the sustainability paradigm: they would be introduced to the concept of cost-benefit analysis through an application of the concept in strategic decision-making; students would be taught the about the challenges in new product (such as greening equipment) adoption; and they would be guided to deliberate on the extension of the project in newer areas of greening.
Case overview/synopsis
Prof Atmanand, as the Director of MDI Murshidabad (MDIM), was combating the challenge of leading the campus of the fledgling institute in its initial years. It was May 2023. MDIM was a business school in West Bengal, India. Atmanand had formulated a strategy of “greening” of the campus using a solar lighting system and organic waste converter to start off. The first steps were initiated in early 2021. The possible gains from this move needed to be weighed against the possible costs. Possible benefits included reductions in electricity expenditure, easier conformation to contemporary waste disposal norms, better scores in HEI-ranking exercises and increase in brand value of MDIM. The principal costs were: capital expenditure, possible higher payback period and challenge in adoption of sustainability products such as organic waste converter. The case study engages the student to learn about competitive strategy design and implementation in an HEI, and the resulting challenges. The case study can consequently be used in a Master’s level course in strategic management (competitive strategy) in the context of sustainability management, or as a case in the elective sustainability management offered to the senior batch in the MBA curriculum. The case study weighs out the benefits of the “greening” programme at MDIM against its possible costs. The possible benefits were manifold: reduction in electricity bills, easier conformance to contemporary waste disposal norms and higher scores at HEI-ranking exercises, both at the national and the international levels. Some benefits were not so quantifiable, such as better “press”, and consequent increase in brand value of MDIM. Weighted against these were the costs, capital expenditure, possible higher payback period and lack of in-house operational expertise (such as mechanics). The decision is not easy; although there are numerical tools (indicated in the case), they must be supplemented with a holistic understanding of the context, and any decision to be taken would require a combination of qualitative understanding along with numerical indicators. The case also exhorts the reader to understand problems in adoption of sustainability products and attempts to look to the future in terms of managerial initiatives.
Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for postgraduate level (MBA) and executive programmes.
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Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS4: Environmental Management.
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Susan Kerubo Onsongo, John Olukuru and Onesmus Mwabonje
Learning Objective 1: Develop students’ ability to critically assess and probe the challenges of aligning business objectives with compliance to local and international…
Abstract
Learning objectives
Learning Objective 1: Develop students’ ability to critically assess and probe the challenges of aligning business objectives with compliance to local and international environmental regulations. Students will learn to identify how tensions between regulatory compliance and business goals influence decision-making processes in resource-intensive industries.
Learning Objective 2: Increase problem-solving skills of students by exploring the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental stewardship. They will be able to examine real-world dilemmas, such as community displacement, biodiversity loss, and pollution in mining contexts, and understand how to navigate these complex challenges using insights from Dr Nick’s experiences.
Learning Objective 3: Advance integrative learning, inquiry and interpretive capabilities of students by demonstrating the significance of ESG principles in mining operations focusing on environmental management, community engagement, and ethical governance. Students will learn how to integrate these principles into corporate strategies to achieve a balance between profitability and sustainability.
Learning Objective 4: Equip students with hands-on experience through real business scenarios by addressing dilemmas companies face in the era of climate change and appreciate the role of leadership in driving and implementing sustainable practices. Students will understand how leaders like Dr Nick balance stakeholder interests, ethical standards, and operational efficiency, and how this balance impacts the company’s growth and sustainability objectives.
Case overview/synopsis
This case introduces students to the difficulty an environmental manager faces in balancing the interests of the community at large with the company’s goals. Dr Nick Okello, an environmental manager at Base Titanium, is the protagonist of the case. For several years, Dr Nick has overseen the business’s environmental programs at the high-grade mineral sand mine called Kwale Operation, which is situated along Kenya’s coast. The case allows students to explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are applied in a mining company setting by using this case study. Simple assessments can be applied by students to evaluate ESG and discuss their analysis of it. The mining industry’s intricate relationship between corporate governance, business strategy, and environmental stewardship is exemplified by the Dr Nick case at Base Titanium. It provides a critical analysis of the difficulties businesses confront in attempting to strike a balance between sustainable ethical business practices and economic growth, especially in areas where governance issues are common.
Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for use in executive education, MBA, senior undergraduate, and other graduate-level business programs in courses such business management, organizational behaviour, environmental sciences, project management, strategic management, operations, finance, corporate governance, leadership, and sustainable development.
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Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 4: Environmental Management.
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Keywords
- Community relocation
- Corporate responsibility
- Ecosystem restoration
- Environmental
- Social and Governance (ESG)
- Ethical dilemmas
- Mining expansion
- Pollution control
- Resource extraction
- Regulations
- Social Impact and Sustainable development
- Environmental issues
- Environment and society
- Manufacturing
- Organizational behaviour
- Stakeholder management
- Relocation
Ruchika Khetarpal and Amit Dwivedi
This case study will frame the significance of the business model for a company. The reader will understand business model innovation and how it helps enhance entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case study will frame the significance of the business model for a company. The reader will understand business model innovation and how it helps enhance entrepreneurial rewards. The students will be able to identify the entrepreneurial traits which lead to business model innovation. The readers will know about the components of a business model and will be able to apply the understanding in creating a business model canvas.
Case overview/synopsis
The real-life case is of a tech start-up founded in Ahmedabad by three friends. Their diverse educational background helped them in creating a successful venture that later transformed into a public company. They were always trying to make their business model competitive and innovative. Being a start-up, there were critical business decisions taken and strategies formed by the founding team. They were facing a dilemma after making the company public, as their responsibility towards the stakeholders increased. They need to keep in mind the needs of all the stakeholders and the enterprise itself. They were at a crossroads in deciding about their business model.
Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for honours or postgraduate level or entrepreneurship training.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
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Dina H. Bassiouni and Aliaa Bassiouny
The case was developed using a combination of primary and secondary data collection. The main source of primary data collection was an interview with the founder of The Hair…
Abstract
Research methodology
The case was developed using a combination of primary and secondary data collection. The main source of primary data collection was an interview with the founder of The Hair Addict, Doaa Gawish, in August 2023, with later follow-up calls to clarify some aspects of the business model and obtain more specific information. For secondary sources of information, the authors relied on the company website, as well as a couple of published interviews with the founder in an online business magazine [1] and an independent news website that covers Egyptian news, culture and lifestyle topics (Makary, 2021). The case also relies on macroeconomic and industry data obtained from various databases and research report providers, which are referenced in the case and teaching note.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study explores the decision a woman business founder, Doaa Gawish (she), needed to make with her team regarding her firm’s growth strategy. Gawish founded The Hair Addict (THA) in 2018 in Egypt with a mission to provide all-natural hair products to women, motivated by an online hair challenge movement that encouraged women to defy social norms and embrace their curls. Following the success and growth of the business in Egypt, Gawish had to decide on her next expansion strategy, given the country’s various economic and financial challenges. The case allows students to evaluate the growth decision by conducting a full-fledged market sizing, sales and financial forecasting to compare two scenarios: growth by further penetrating the Egyptian market with new product offerings for a different segment or growth through venturing into a new country while leveraging on her experience with women needs. The case is intended for an undergraduate capstone business class or a graduate strategy class to expose students to real-life market challenges facing women entrepreneurs and businesses in an international context. Students will use quantitative and qualitative analysis to defend their recommendations. An Excel workbook is provided to aid with their analysis.
Complexity academic level
This case can be relevant for an undergraduate capstone business class or a graduate strategy class that uses a practical pedagogical case-based approach. The case allows students to apply and integrate prior knowledge in business strategy, international marketing, marketing strategy and finance in a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to make a strategic business decision within the context of women’s entrepreneurship in developing economies.
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Case length
Case provider
- The CASE Journal
- The Case for Women
- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
- Darden Business Publishing Cases
- Emerging Markets Case Studies
- Management School, Fudan University
- Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
- Kellogg School of Management
- The Case Writing Centre, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business