GUIDELINES FOR CASE ANALYSIS
The following guidelines are designed to assist in the case analysis process. The guidelines are presented in various stages. Each section is intended to surface information that will be helpful in analyzing and resolving the case. Each case is different, and some parts of these guidelines may not apply in every case.
Following each case there may be discussion questions that should be answered as part of any complete case analysis. The heart of any case analysis is the recommendations made based upon a solid logical foundation. The questions dealing with Problem and Issue Identification and Analysis and Evaluation should be used to define and then defend recommendations made in the final Recommendations step.
BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS - FORMAT
(Cover Page)
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary - An executive summary is a concise summary of a business report. It restates the purpose of the report, it highlights the major points of the report, and it describes any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the report.
2. Introduction/Symptoms - Define the main symptoms the case is addressing. Some development can also be provided to support the statement; the use of references is possible.
3. Define the Problem /Opportunity- This part should include only elements from the Article of the case (external research may only be used as complementary information to put ideas into perspective).
? What are the central facts of the case? What assumptions are you making about these facts?
? What is the major overriding issue in the case? What major question or issues does this case address that merits study at this point in the course?
? What sub-issues or related issues are present in the case that merit consideration now?
? Who are the stakeholders in the case and what are their stakes? What challenges, threats or opportunities are posed by these stakeholders?
? If the case involves company actions, evaluate what the company did or did not do in handling the issue affecting it.
Using a full sentence, state what the main issue(s) of the case is/are, such as:
- A threat or an opportunity?
- Related to internal problems/organization?
- Related to one or more environmental forces: Competition, Technology,
Legal/Political/laws/regulations, social/cultural changes, market conditions?
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4. Problem Analysis.- Corresponding to Step 3.- This part should include only elements from the Article of the case (external research may only be used as complementary information to put ideas into perspective). Students can use a Fish Bone Analysis or Ishikawa diagrams for this section. Other analysis tools are welcomed as long as you are able to find determine the possible causes for the problem(s) discussed above. What activities/events/policies created the existing situation?
5. Brainstorm Solutions- Corresponding to Step 2
Basically, the alternatives represent a brainstorming exercise of possibilities to address the salient problem. Several options should be presented. One of them has to be conducted in the next section as the guideline of recommendations.
Based on step 2, suggest how the company should proceed to:
- Remove the threat or minimize its impact, or/and:
- Counteract the effects of the corresponding environmental forces, or/and:
- Solve its internal problems, or/and:
- Make the best out of the opportunity presented
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Alternative 4
Pros:
Pros:
Pros:
Pros:
Cons:
Cons:
Cons:
Cons:
6. Recommended Course of Action- Corresponding to the Brainstorming and previous sections you should now be in a position to recommend a course of action. What is the best combination of alternatives (from the ones provided in step 5) given the available information and resources? Propose specific recommendations. They may be an addition to or a substitute for the firm's current strategy and/or mode of organization. Be sure that you offer analysis and evidence to back up your conclusions.
Provide an Implementation Plan that could be followed if your recommended course of action would be followed. Prepare immediate, short and long term actions that need to be developed to implement solutions to existing problems/opportunities. Remember to indicate who or which department will do what and when.
Develop the most effective, efficient, and feasible combination of alternatives to solve the problems within boundaries of the firm's objectives. Do NOT recommend doing nothing, hiring a consultant, or setting up a team or task force to study the situation. You are the consultants or the Senior Executive.
7. Conclusion-
Explain and elaborate how your recommendation, action and implementation plan has addressed the main issue of the case.
8. Appendix
May include mathematical formulas and computations if there is any used ratios. May also include any figures, charts, graphs or tables that are built to support the text.
9. References

Business Case Analysis to Be Completed in Groups of Maximum 5-6 students.
The five business case analysis will be completed by self-formed teams. The cases are the chosen from your text and focus on different industry players.
As your group undzertakes the Research and Case Analysis assignment, please try to make as many connections as you can with the various topics presented in your textbook, specifically the corresponding chapters when the case is due.
Research and Case Analysis No. 1 (10%): Ethics of Offshoring: Novo Nordisk and Clinical Trials in Emerging Economies is Due on week 4, January 28- Feb. 1, 2019
Research and Case Analysis No. 2 (10%): Governance Failure at Satyam is Due on week 6, February 11-15, 2019
Research and Case Analysis No. 3 (10%): Telus: Ethics and Cellphone Tower Sites is Due on week 8, March 4-8, 2019
Research and Case Analysis No. 4 (10%): Biblio Credit Union: Social Inequality and the Living Wage is Due on week 10, March 18-22, 2019
Research and Case Analysis No. 5 (10%): Multistrada Agro International: Non-Market Strategy in Indonesia is Due on week 13, April 8-12, 2019
Your submission should be a word-processed document, prepared in the usual format (cover page with all group members’ first and last name, double space, font size 12, headings for each question, one-inch margins, appropriate end notes, single-side printing, etc.) and should be submitted to me in class at the beginning of class on the corresponding week. I provide a 20 minute leeway and then it is considered late with a 5% penalty per day. In addition, an electronic version of the same report must be submitted in the course Dropbox. Please do not copy from sources readily available from the Internet nor each other. Just use the required business case and the corresponding text materials. Make sure to use APA citation.