Figure 2.1 The Organization, the Levels of Its [2] Environment, and the Components of Those Levels

An Expanded Framework for Case Analysis [3] General Worksheet for Analyzing the Current Situation [4]

General Worksheet for Defining Problems and Their Core [5] Elements

General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of [6-7] ActionCase Analysis [8]

An Outline for written Case [9]

An Operational Approach to Case Analysis [10-11]Pitfalls To Avoid In Case Analysis [12]

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GENERALENVIRONMENT

EconomicComponent

TechnologicalComponent

SocialComponent

PoliticalComponent

SupplierComponent

CompetitionComponent

InternationalComponent

LaborComponent

OPERATINGENVIRONMENT

LegalComponent

CustomerComponent

InternalEnvironment

Organizational Aspects Marketing AspectsFinancial AspectsPersonnel AspectsProduction 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

Analyze and Record Problems and Their Core Elements

Formulate, Evaluate, and Record Alternative Courses of Action

Formulate, Evaluate, and Record Alternative Courses of Action

Select, Justify, and Record the Chosen Course of Action and Implementation

Select, Justify, and Record the Chosen Course of Action and Implementation

Analyze and Record the Current SituationAnalyze and Record the Current Situation

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ENVIRONMENTRELEVANT ISSUES

(SPECIFIC TO CASE)

CASE IMPACT(FAVORABLE

UN FAVORABLE)

CASE IMPORTANCE(IMPORTANT/

UNIMPORTANT)

General EnvironmentSocial _______________________________ _________________ _________________

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

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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

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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

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General EnvironmentEconomic 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

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1. Title page B. Description of alternative 22. Table of contents a. Strengths3. Introduction b. Weaknesses4. Environmental analysis C. Description of alternative 3 A. General environment a. Strengths B. Operating environment b. Weaknesses C. Internal environment 7. Chosen alternative and implementation D. Assumptions A. Justification for alternative chosen5. Problem definition B. Implementation specifics and justification A. Major problem 1 and evidence 8. Summary of analysis B. Major problem 2 (if applicable) and 9. References Evidence 10. Technical appendices C. Major problem 3 (if applicable) and A. Financial analysis Evidence B. Other technical information6. 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.

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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

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