Chattanooga Ice Cream Case

Case Study Analysis

Case study analysis gives students an opportunity to apply theory learned in the classroom to real world situations. Case studies do not have discrete answers. Rather, they challenge students to exercise their own business judgment in a supportive, educational environment. Students test their knowledge by analyzing situations; defining problems or issues; evaluating alternatives and/or forming conclusions to resolve the problem or issue; and making recommendations. Cases used in the classroom vary from short vignettes to dense, multi page volumes. In this course, we are using short vignettes.

Case study analysis steps:

1. Gain familiarity with the case situation. This can be accomplished by reading the case several times. Read the first time to appreciate the general story before you begin to form conclusions or make analysis.
2. Define the issue or problem. To make an analysis or recommendation, one must first determine what the issue or problem is. As in the real world, note there may be more than one problem in a case study analysis. (You can appreciate the importance of this step if you ever took your car in for service because it was running rough and paid for several repairs because the mechanic didn’t correctly diagnose the problem in the beginning.)
3. Conduct your analysis. What are the possible causes of the problem or issue? What alternatives are possible given the facts presented? This is the most time consuming step, and the step with the greatest variation. There may be many possibilities. It might be helpful to list all solutions you can think of before focusing on the most useful or valid. There is not necessarily a right answer, but there may be several alternatives that lead to varying outcomes. The quality of analysis will depend upon application of theory learned in the classroom and through research. Remember, by design, case studies are fairly complex. Avoid the easy answers. If you think it is simple you are likely missing the challenge you are supposed to find and address.
4. Make recommendations. Choose the recommendation you believe to be the best, justify it, and develop it. Think in terms of making your argument “bullet proof”. Recommendations should be made in the form of an action plan to solve the problems or issues. Or, recommendations may involve the choice of the best alternative for resolving the issue or problem. Recommendations made must be thoroughly developed and supported. Think in terms of all recommendations being SMART….Specific, Measureable, Action oriented, Realistic, and Time bound.

References:

ICFAI Center for Management Research. (nd). Learning with cases. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://www.icmr.icfai.org/casestudies/learn_case.htm.