Table of Contents
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 Statement 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
