|
Guide to the Case-Study Method for Assignment
Introduction
Attacking the Case
The Seven Steps of Problem Analysis
The Case Study Report Requirement
Written Reports
Oral Reports
CONCLUSIONS
INTRODUCTION
The case-study method may be new to you. Experience has shown that case studies bring interesting, real-world situations into the classroom study of agribusiness 指导ASSIGNMENTmarketing, finance and management.
As the cases are discussed with your fellow students, you will learn that decision making is often a confrontational activity involving people with different points of view. Most important, you will learn how to work toward consensus while tolerating legitimate differences of opinion.
Decision making is what government officials and strategists do. Their decisions directly influence the country’s economic performance and incomes of all countries and businesses.
Develop the ability to apply classroom training in business, macroeconomics, politics to agribusiness problem solving so that you can learn how to (1) make decision making easier, (2) improve the analytical quality of decisions, (3) reduce the time required to make decisions, and (4) increase the frequency of correct decisions.
ATTACKING THE CASE
Your first reaction upon reading a case will probably be to feel over whelmed by all the information. Upon closer reading, you may feel that the case is missing some information that is vital to your decision. Don't despair. Case writers do this on purpose to make the cases represent as closely as possible the typical situations faced by http://www.ukassignment.org/ agribusiness managers. In this age of computers, managers often have to sift through an excessive amount of information to glean the facts needed to make a decision. In other situations, there is too little information and too little time or money to collect all the information desired. One definition of management is "the art of using scanty information to make terribly important, semi-permanent decisions under time pressure." One reason for using the case-study method is for you to learn how to function effectively in that type of decision-making environment.
When assigned a case that does not contain all the information you need, you can do two things: First, seek additional information. Library research or a few telephone calls may provide the necessary facts. Second, you can make assumptions when key facts or data are not available. Your assumptions should be reasonable and consistent with the situation because the "correctness" of your solution may depend upon the assumptions you make. This is one reason that a case can have more than one right solution. In fact, your teacher may be more interested in the analysis and process you used to arrive at the decision than in its absolute correctness. #p#分页标题#e#
In some cases, the case writer(s) have provided questions to guide your analysis; in other cases it is up to you, the case analyst, to decide which questions are relevant in defining the problem. This too is by design. In an actual agribusiness situation you will have to decide which questions to ask, and certainly no one will give you a list of multiple-choice answers. This is why it is suggested that you not limit your analysis to the questions at the end of a case.
The Seven Steps of Problem Analysis
Using an organized seven-stem approach in analyzing a case will make the entire process easier and can increase your learning benefits.
1. Read the case thoroughly. To understand fully what is happening in a case, it is necessary to read the case carefully and thoroughly. You may want to read the case rather quickly the first time to get an overview of the industry, the company, the people, and the situation. Read the case again more slowly, making notes as you go.
2. Define the central issue. Many cases will involve several issues or problems. Identify the most important problems and separate them from the more trivial issues. After identifying what appears to be a major underlying issue, examine related problems in the functional areas (for example, marketing, finance, personnel, and so on). Functional area problems may help you identify deep-rooted problems that are the responsibility of top management.
3. Define the strategic solutions usually tied to the most critical problems between a country’s goals and its performance may further highlight the problems discovered in step 2. At the very least, identifying the country's goals will provide a guide for the remaining analysis.
4. Identify the constraints to the problem. The constraints may limit the solutions available to the country. Typical constraints include limited finances, lack of additional production capacity, personnel limitations, strong competitors, relationships with suppliers and customers, and so on. Constraints have to be considered when suggesting a solution.
5. Identify all the relevant alternatives. The list should all the relevant alternatives that could solve the problem(s) that were identified in step 2. Use your creativity in coming up with alternative solutions. Even when solutions are suggested in the case, you may be able to suggest better solutions.
6. Select the best alternative. Evaluate each alternative in light of the available information (this depends very much on research). If you have carefully taken the proceeding five steps, a good solution to the case should be apparent. Resist the temptation to jump to this step early in the case analysis. You will probably miss important facts, misunderstand the problem, or skip what may be the best alternative solution. You will also need to explain the logic you used to choose one alternative and reject the others.
7. Develop an implementation plan. The final step in the analysis is to develop a plan for effective implementation of your decision. Lack of an implementation plan even for a very good decision can lead to disaster for a country and for you. Don't overlook this step. Your teacher will surely ask you or someone in the class to explain how to implement the decision. #p#分页标题#e#
The Case Study Report Requirement
You are usually required a written or an oral report describing your solution to the case. The high quality of your analysis or the brilliance of your insights will do you little指导AASIGNMENT good if your solution is not expressed clearly.
The lecturer is more likely to accept your solution even if he or she does not agree with it, if you are able to identify the issues, explain the analysis and logic that led you to choose a particular alternative, and lay out a good plan for implementing the decision.
Written Reports (You get at least one draft before handing up)
You are asked to write reports for at least some cases. The following guidelines will help you write an effective case analysis. A short report is usually considered better than a long report. This does not mean that in your report you can skip key points, but rather that you state relevant points clearly and concisely. Do not include trivial matters.
The report should be well typed-written and as tough you are handing to the minister or international bank CEO. A well-written report would contain the following elements:
1. Executive summary. This is a concisely written statement, less than one page, placed at the front of the report. It briefly summarizes the major points of the case and your solution. It should describe the major issue, the proposed solution, and the logic supporting the solution.
2. Problem statement. Present the central issue(s) or major problem(s) in the case here. Do not rehash the facts of the case; assume that anyone reading the report is familiar with the case.
3. Alternatives. Discuss all relevant alternatives. Briefly present the major arguments for and against each alternative. Be sure to state your assumptions and the impact of constraints on each alternative.
4. Conclusion. Present the analysis and the logic that led you to select a particular solution. Also discuss the reasons you rejected the other alternatives.
5. Implementation. Outline a plan of action that will lead to effective implementation of the decision so that the reader can see not only why you chose a particular alternative but how it will work.
6. Referencing. In –text Harvard referencing is required.
Oral Reports
In some instances the instructor may specifically require an oral report on a case. One student or a team of students will be assigned an oral report in advance. In many classroom situations, each student must be prepared to discuss any aspect of a case if called upon or to comment on ideas presented by other students. It is not uncommon for a large portion of the course grade to be based on the frequency and quality of a student's oral participation in classroom discussions. Preparation of an oral case report should include the following:
1. Description of the case situation. Present a brief overview of the situation in the case. Sometimes a teacher will ask a student to start off the classroom discussion with this overview. #p#分页标题#e#
2. Problem statement. Describe the major issue(s) or problem(s) in the case.
3. Analysis of the key alternatives. Present the results of your analysis of relevant alternatives in a concise manner. Depending on the type of analysis, this is sometimes called "running the numbers."
4. Conclusion. Briefly describe the logic that led you to choose the alternative. Summarize why the other alternatives were not chosen.
5. Implementation. Present your implementation plan.
In a class discussion setting, however, even though you must be prepared, you will almost never make a full-case presentation. You will be asked to present pieces of your presentation. You may be interrupted, and count on being asked to defend your statements.
CONCLUSIONS
Infinitely challenging, cases are not just "-busy work" given to fill up a student's time. Approached properly, case analysis can be extremely beneficial in preparing you for a career in corporate management by exposing the student to develop decision-making skills in the classroom so that you will be better prepared to meet the post-graduation challenges.
The decision-making skills will be enhanced as you sift through large volumes of information to identify problems, determine corporate goals, define relevant alternatives, and develop plans to implement decisions. You will hone your ability to apply analytical tools in true-to-life situations. You will learn how to express yourself, both orally and in writing. You will also develop the ability to defend the logic of your analysis and conclusions. These are all valuable skills for a future agribusiness manager and will help you go a long way in a rewarding career.
CASE STUDY EXERCISE (ASSIGNMENT NO.1)
RAFFLES UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS (FINANCE)
ASSIGNMENT 指导ASIA FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
MRUBBFN-2032-06
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬You are given an article “Putting China’s Capital to Work: The Value of Financial Reform System ” by McKinsey Global Institute. The relevant pages are from page 9 onwards. Nevertheless, you will a better grasp if you also read pages 1 to 8.
You are INDIVIDUALLY to prepare a 3,000-word WRITTEN REPORT CASE
STUDY (70% of total marks of the first assignment) with as much closeness to the guidelines provided in the previous pages. There is no need for any ORAL REPORT.
In addition, you are to answer the following three question according to the article presented.
The questions are
Question 1 (10% of the first assignment)
What is worst problem in lending? Why?
What is the root cause? Explain why it is the root cause.
Question 2 (10% of the first assignment)
Comment on the impact by the massive financial payment default by state-owned-firms on the Chinese economy. Show the cause-and-effect clearly.
Question 3 (10% of the first assignment)#p#分页标题#e#
What can happen when household wealth is concentrated in savings deposit? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of this phenomenon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Students must answer the case study with current relevance and historical perspective as well. It means there must be substantial literature research. Referencing should be shown and will be rewarded.
MARKING SCHEME
FOR
CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT
(ASSIGNMENT 1)
IN
ASIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
MRUBBFN-2032-06
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS (HONOURS)
Items Total Out of 100
(1) Executive summary -------------/ 05
(2) Problem statement -------------/ 10
(3) Alternatives -------------/ 10
(4) Conclusion -------------/ 20
(5) Implementation -------------/ 20
(6) Referencing -------------/ 05
(7) Question 1 -------------/ 10
(8) Question 2 -------------/ 10
(9) Question 3 -------------/ 10
TOTAL __________
Out of 100
|
