 Figure 2.1 The Organization, the Levels of Its [2] Environment, and the Components of Those Levels Figure 2.1 The Organization, the Levels of Its [2] Environment, and the Components of Those Levels  An Expanded Framework for Case Analysis [3] An Expanded Framework for Case Analysis [3]  General Worksheet for Analyzing the Current Situation [4] General Worksheet for Analyzing the Current Situation [4]  General Worksheet for Defining Problems and Their Core [5] Elements General Worksheet for Defining Problems and Their Core [5] Elements  General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of [6-7] Action General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of [6-7] Action  Case Analysis [8] Case Analysis [8]  An Outline for written Case [9] An Outline for written Case [9]  An Operational Approach to Case Analysis [10-11] An Operational Approach to Case Analysis [10-11]  Pitfalls To Avoid In Case Analysis [12] Pitfalls To Avoid In Case Analysis [12] 1

GENERAL ENVIRONMENT Economic Component Technological Component Social Component Political Component Supplier Component Competition Component International Component Labor Component OPERATING ENVIRONMENT Legal Component Customer Component Internal Environment  Organizational Aspects  Marketing Aspects  Financial Aspects  Personnel Aspects  Production Aspects Figure 2.1 The Organization, the Levels of Its Environment, and the Components of Those Levels 2

An Expanded Framework for Case Analysis Analyze and Record Problems and Their Core Elements Formulate, Evaluate, and Record Alternative Courses of Action Select, Justify, and Record the Chosen Course of Action and Implementation Analyze and Record the Current Situation 3

ENVIRONMENT RELEVANT ISSUES (SPECIFIC TO CASE) CASE IMPACT (FAVORABLE UN FAVORABLE) CASE IMPORTANCE (IMPORTANT/ UNIMPORTANT) General Environment Social________________________________________________ Economic________________________________________________ Political________________________________________________ Legal________________________________________________ Technological________________________________________________ Operating Environment International________________________________________________ Suppliers________________________________________________ Competition________________________________________________ Customers________________________________________________ Labor________________________________________________ Internal Environment Organizational aspects________________________________________________ Marketing aspects________________________________________________ Financial aspects________________________________________________ Personal aspects________________________________________________ Production aspects________________________________________________ General Worksheet for Analyzing the Current Situation 4

General Worksheet for Defining Problems and Their Core Elements Elements Major Problem or Issue Description of problem or issue: Evidence that this is a major problem or issue: 1. Facts ______________________________________________________________ 2.Symptoms or other effects of the problem __________________________________ 3.Opinions _____________________________________________________________ 4.Assumptions ____________________________________________________________ (Repeat as necessary for cases involving several problems or issues.) 5

General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of Action Alternative 1 Description of alternative: ___________________________________________________________________ Strengths of alternative: _____________________________________________________________________ Weaknesses of alternative:___________________________________________________________________ Overall evaluation of alternative: _____________________________________________________________ Continue 6

Alternative 2 Description of alternative: ___________________________________________________________________ Strengths of alternative: _____________________________________________________________________ Weaknesses of alternative:___________________________________________________________________ Overall evaluation of alternative: _____________________________________________________________ (Repeat as necessary for each feasible alternative. General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of Action 7

General Environment Economic Component Social Component Legal Component Political Component Technological Component Operating Environment Customer Component Competition Component Supplier Component Labor Component International Component Internal Environment Organizational Aspects Marketing Aspects Financial Aspects HRM Aspects Production Aspects S.W.O.T Analysis Internal Components Strengths:Weaknesses: External Environment Opportunities :Threats: Case Analysis 8

1. Title page B. Description of alternative 2 2. Table of contents a. Strengths 3. Introduction b. Weaknesses 4. Environmental analysis C. Description of alternative 3 A. General environment a. Strengths B. Operating environment b. Weaknesses C. Internal environment7. Chosen alternative and implementation D. Assumptions A. Justification for alternative chosen 5. Problem definition B. Implementation specifics and justification A. Major problem 1 and evidence8. Summary of analysis B. Major problem 2 (if applicable) and9. References Evidence10. Technical appendices C. Major problem 3 (if applicable) and A. Financial analysis Evidence B. Other technical information 6. Alternative courses of action A. Description of alternative 1 a. Strengths b. Weaknesses An Outline for written Case 9

 Read the case quickly to get an overview of the situation.  Read the case again thoroughly, underlining/highlighting the relevant information.  Re-read and study the case until it is well understood.  Review the case and complete the general worksheet for analyzing the current situation. For instance: Key Relevant Functional Activities in the Areas of Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, R&D, Production and Information  Review outside sources of information that are relevant and record important information.  List all potential problems on the General Worksheet for defining the problems and their Core Elements.  Review this worksheet and list the major problems in order of priority. An Operational Approach to Case Analysis 10

 Complete the worksheet for defining problems and their Core Elements.  Develop several feasible solutions for dealing with the major problems.  Complete the General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of Action.  Review this worksheet and ensure that all relevant strengths and weaknesses have been considered.  Decide which alternative solve the problems most effectively.  Complete the General Worksheet for Implementing the Chosen Alternative.  Prepare a written [or] oral report based on the worksheets. 11

 Inadequately Defining the Problem  Searching for “The Answer”  Assuming the Case Away  Not Having Enough Information  Relying on Generalizations  Postulating a Different Situation  Focusing Too Narrowly  Abandoning Realism  Setting Up “Straw Man” Alternatives  Recommending Research or Consultants  Rehashing Case Material  Getting Discouraged [Key Note: Case Analysis is a Learnt Skill] PITFALLS TO AVOID IN CASE ANALYSIS 12