Table of Content

2. Table of Content • 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] Action • Case Analysis [8] • An Outline for written Case [9] • An Operational Approach to Case Analysis [10-11] • Pitfalls To Avoid In Case Analysis [12] 1

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

4. An Expanded Framework for Case Analysis Analyze and Record the Current Situation 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 3

5. General Worksheet for Analyzing the Current Situation 4

6. General Worksheet for Defining Problems and Their Core Elements 5

7. General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of Action Continue 6

8. General Worksheet for Evaluating Alternative Courses of Action 7

9. Case Analysis • General Environment • Economic Component • Social Component • Legal Component • Political Component • Technological Component • Internal Environment • Organizational Aspects • Marketing Aspects • Financial Aspects • HRM Aspects • Production Aspects • Operating Environment • Customer Component • Competition Component • Supplier Component • Labor Component • International Component 8

10. An Outline for written Case 9

11. An Operational Approach to Case Analysis • 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. 10

12. 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

13. PITFALLS TO AVOID IN CASE ANALYSIS • 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] 12