The case method – does learning theory matter?

Abstract

Purpose

The article reflects the concerns of the author that little use has been made of learning theories to assess the potential or the actual achievement of the case method in management development.

Design/methodology/approach

The ideas of learning theorists – Knowles, Kolb, Argyris and Revans –are reviewed, and their relevance to the learning from the case method is assessed.

Findings

The article says that simply to claim that case studies “work” is intellectually lazy, and provides no basis for comparison with other methods.

Practical implications

It is proposed that if tutors used insights from these theorists they would both improve their contribution to how people learn, but also improve the understanding of learners about their learning. This could for example be achieved by using time on the case session itself to improve the capacity of participants to learn with and from each other.

Originality/value

Shows the limits of the case method.

Citation

Mumford, A. (2005), "The case method – does learning theory matter?", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 17-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777280510700344