Prelims

Rebecca J. Morris (Westfield State University, USA)

The Ultimate Guide to Compact Cases: Case Research, Writing, and Teaching

ISBN: 978-1-80382-850-3, eISBN: 978-1-80382-847-3

Publication date: 1 September 2022

pdf (1.3 MB) ePub (300 KB)

Citation

Morris, R.J. (2022), "Prelims", The Ultimate Guide to Compact Cases: Case Research, Writing, and Teaching, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. i-xi. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-847-320221013

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Half Title Page

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPACT CASES

Title Page

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPACT CASES

Case Research, Writing, and Teaching

By

Rebecca J. Morris,

Westfield State University, USA

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2022

Reprints and permissions service

Contact: permissions@emeraldinsight.com

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the UK by The Copyright Licensing Agency and in the USA by The Copyright Clearance Center. Any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst Emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, Emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters’ suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-80382-850-3 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-80382-847-3 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-80382-849-7 (Epub)

About the Author		xi
1.	Why Write Compact Cases?	1
	A Very Brief and Hopefully Not Boring History of Cases	2
	Defining Teaching Cases Today	3
	What Do I Need to Know to Write Cases?	5
	Great Case Writers	6
	Why Write Cases?	7
	Let’s Begin the Case Writing Adventure!	8
2.	Compact Cases Versus Traditional Cases	15
	But They Haven’t Read the Case!	17
	Tips for Encouraging Student Reading of Assigned Materials	19
	Tips for Case Writing to Encourage Better Reading Habits	19
	Elements of a Compact Case	23
	Differences in Learning Objectives	25
	Short Cases from the Instructor’s Perspective	27
	Short Cases from the Student’s Perspective	27
	Primary Differences Between Short and Traditional Cases	28
3.	Finding a “Good Idea” for a Compact Case	33
	Case Ideation Criteria for Compact Cases	34
	Good Ideas for Compact Cases	35
	Bad Ideas for Compact Cases	36
	Finding Good Case Ideas	40
	Types of Cases	43
	Descriptive or Illustrative Cases	43
	Evaluative Cases	44
	Decision-focused Cases	46
	Other Case Types	48
	Beginning Your Case Writing Journey	48
4.	Researching a Compact Case	53
	The Difference between Storytelling and Research	53
	The Importance of Research Methodology in Case Writing	53
	Data Sources	54
	Primary Data Sources	54
	Secondary Data Resources	55
	Quasi-primary Data Sources	56
	Triangulation	58
	Primary or Secondary Research? What Gets Published?	60
	Case Releases	61
	Disguised Versus Fictionalized Cases	63
	Differences Between Fictionalized and Disguised Cases	63
	Do Journals Publish Fictionalized “Cases”?	64
	Why Not Fictionalized “Cases”?	64
	Rules for Disguised Cases	65
	Disguise Tips	65
	Research Ethics for Case Writers	68
5.	Writing a Compact Case	77
	Case Writing Conventions	78
	Compact Case Components	79
	Opening Hook	80
	Five Ws and an H Framework	80
	Length of the Hook	81
	What Not to Do	82
	Industry Background	83
	Company History	85
	Manager(s)	86
	Secondary Sources	86
	Primary Sources	86
	Problem/Case Focus	87
	Informative	87
	Keeping it Short by Avoiding Detours	88
	Keeping it Interesting	88
	Leaving Out Personal Feelings or Biases	88
	Don’t Tell Us – SHOW Us!	90
	Omitting History or Key Facts	91
	Selecting a Point of View	92
	Presenting Different Perspectives	92
	Closing Hook	93
	What To Do	94
	What Not To Do	95
	Exhibits in Compact Cases	97
	Data Visualization Trends Demand Improvements in Case Exhibits	98
	Increased Encounters With Visualization	98
	Buried Alive in Data	99
	Everybody’s Doing It!	99
	Tips for Data Visualizations in Case Exhibits	100
	Graphs	100
	Financial Statements	107
	Maps	109
	Diagrams/Charts	110
	Photos	112
	Videos	114
	The Writing Process	115
	Compact Case Word Budget	117
	Our Journey Ends, or Does It?	119
	Editing the Case	119
	Editing Checklist	120
	A Final Caveat	121
6.	Writing the Teaching Note for a Compact Case	127
	Purpose of the IM/TN	128
	Case Writer	128
	Adopting Instructors	129
	Evaluators	129
	Editors and Reviewers	130
	Deans and Tenure Committees	130
	Components of the IM	131
	Synopsis/Case Summary	133
	Evaluating a Case Synopsis	134
	Additional Synopsis Elements	134
	Pedagogical Usage	135
	Learning Objectives (LOs)	137
	Effective LO Examples	138
	Frequently Observed Problems with LOs	140
	Research Methodology	142
	Effective Research Methodology Sections	143
	Discussion Questions (List)	143
	Characteristics of Effective Discussion Questions	144
	Teaching Strategy	144
	Theory Discussion	145
	Scholarly Contribution of the IM	145
	Content of the Theoretical Discussion Section	146
	Using Theoretical Linkages to Distinguish Your Case	146
	Additional Readings and Supplementary Materials	147
	Discussion Questions and Answers	148
	Characteristics of “Good” Answers	149
	Characteristics of Unacceptable Answers	150
	Checking the Answers to the Discussion Questions	151
	Epilogue	152
	IM for Compact Cases Versus Traditional Cases	154
7.	Writing Compact Cases with Students	159
	Benefits of the Case Writing Assignment	160
	Student Benefits	160
	Case Writing Skills Are Needed Business Skills	162
	Instructor Benefits	162
	The Challenges of the Case Writing Assignment	164
	Student Challenges	164
	Instructor Challenges	165
	Structuring the Case Writing Project	166
	Individuals or Teams	166
	Length of Case	168
	Type of Analysis	168
	Peer Feedback	170
	Conference Workshop Presentation	171
	Publication Process	171
	How to Do It – Learning from the Experience of Others	173
	Timeline for MBA Case Writing Assignment	181
	The Undergraduate Case Assignment Example	181
	Evaluating Student Cases	189
	Student Response to the Case Assignment	192
8.	Publishing a Compact Case	197
	Why Publish?	197
	Getting Your Compact Case Ready for Journal Submission	200
	Step 1: Test Your Case in the Classroom	200
	Step 2: Revise the Case and IM to Incorporate Feedback	201
	Step 3: Present Your Case at a Case Conference	202
	Step 4: Select a Journal for Publication	204
	Step 5: Revise to Comply with Journal Guidelines	208
	Step 6: Submit Your Case!	209
	Step 7: Be Patient	210
	The Publication Process	210
	Responding to Reviewers	217
	What Not To Do	218
	What To Do	219
	Five Simple Rules for Writing a Response to Reviewers	220
	Activities Post Case Acceptance	223
9.	Teaching with Compact Cases	227
	The Case for Teaching with Cases	227
	Cases Encourage the Development of Effective Communication Skills	227
	Cases Stick with Students Beyond the Classroom	228
	Design, Assign, and Align	228
	Case Teaching Modalities	229
	Teaching with Cases Online	231
	Motivating Case Preparation Regardless of Modality	233
	Tools for Teaching Cases Online	235
	Best Practices for Online Case Pedagogy	236
	Challenges for Online Case Pedagogy	241
	Teaching Tips for Compact Cases	242
	What Have We Learned About Case Teaching?	244
10.	Looking to the Future	247
	Final Thoughts	253
Appendix 1: Annotated Copy of Chipotle Case		255
Appendix 2: Annotated Copy of Chipotle Instructor’s Manual		259
Index		269

About the Author

Rebecca J. Morris, PhD, is a Past-President and Fellow of The CASE Association and the North American Case Research Association (NACRA). She has served as the Editor-in-Chief of The CASE Journal (TCJ) since 2016. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean of the School of Business, Mathematics, Computing and Sustainability at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA.

Book Chapters

Prelims

1. Why Write Compact Cases?

2. Compact Cases Versus Traditional Cases

3. Finding a “Good Idea” for a Compact Case

4. Researching a Compact Case

5. Writing a Compact Case

6. Writing the Teaching Note for a Compact Case

7. Writing Compact Cases with Students

8. Publishing a Compact Case

9. Teaching with Compact Cases

10. Looking to the Future

Appendix 1: Annotated Copy Chipotle Case

Appendix 2: Annotated Copy Chipotle Instructor’s Manual

Index