Best Practices for Writing Case Studies

What Is A Case Study?

A business case imitates or simulates a real situation. According to Ellet, “cases are verbal representations of reality that put the reader in the role of a participant of the situation” (Ellet, 2007a, p. 13). As stated by Vega (2013), the simplest definition of a case is a story that describes a factual series of actions that occurred in the past (Vega, 2013, p. 3). Abell (1997) points out, however, that cases differ from stories in the sense that participants can put themselves in the shoes of one or more managers portrayed in the situation (Abell, 1997, p. 2). With case study as a teaching tool, the reader is expected to make a decision or recommendation to the protagonist for a course of action to pursue, or perform an analysis of an action that has already taken place (Vega, 2013, p. 3). By focusing on the real problems, the case study method not only provides students with knowledge, but primarily helps to develop their managerial skills. Banning (2003) suggests that since the cases provide limited data and allow students different approaches for addressing case problems, students are able to practice solving complex problems in the relative safety of the classroom. This increases their tolerance for ambiguity—an important skill in a rapidly changing and information-driven business environment (Banning, 2003). In line with Ellet (2007a), good case studies provide business students with the equivalent of laboratories used for educating scientists and doctors (Ellet, 2007a). To fulfil this mission, a case must have three characteristics (Ellet, 2007a, p. 3):