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Prelims

Rebecca J. Morris (Westfield State University, USA)

The Ultimate Guide to Compact Cases: Case Research, Writing, and Teaching

ISBN: 978-1-80382-850-3, eISBN: 978-1-80382-847-3

Publication date: 1 September 2022

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Citation

Morris, R.J. (2022), "Prelims", The Ultimate Guide to Compact Cases: Case Research, Writing, and Teaching, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. i-xi. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-847-320221013

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022 Emerald Publishing Limited

Half Title Page

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPACT CASES

Title Page

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPACT CASES

Case Research, Writing, and Teaching

By

Rebecca J. Morris,

Westfield State University, USA

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2022

Copyright © 2022 Emerald Publishing Limited.

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No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the UK by The Copyright Licensing Agency and in the USA by The Copyright Clearance Center. Any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst Emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, Emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters’ suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.

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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-80382-850-3 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-80382-847-3 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-80382-849-7 (Epub)

Contents

About the Author xi
1. Why Write Compact Cases? 1
A Very Brief and Hopefully Not Boring History of Cases 2
Defining Teaching Cases Today 3
What Do I Need to Know to Write Cases? 5
Great Case Writers 6
Why Write Cases? 7
Let’s Begin the Case Writing Adventure! 8
2. Compact Cases Versus Traditional Cases 15
But They Haven’t Read the Case! 17
Tips for Encouraging Student Reading of Assigned Materials 19
Tips for Case Writing to Encourage Better Reading Habits 19
Elements of a Compact Case 23
Differences in Learning Objectives 25
Short Cases from the Instructor’s Perspective 27
Short Cases from the Student’s Perspective 27
Primary Differences Between Short and Traditional Cases 28
3. Finding a “Good Idea” for a Compact Case 33
Case Ideation Criteria for Compact Cases 34
Good Ideas for Compact Cases 35
Bad Ideas for Compact Cases 36
Finding Good Case Ideas 40
Types of Cases 43
 Descriptive or Illustrative Cases 43
 Evaluative Cases 44
 Decision-focused Cases 46
Other Case Types 48
Beginning Your Case Writing Journey 48
4. Researching a Compact Case 53
The Difference between Storytelling and Research 53
The Importance of Research Methodology in Case Writing 53
Data Sources 54
 Primary Data Sources 54
 Secondary Data Resources 55
 Quasi-primary Data Sources 56
Triangulation 58
Primary or Secondary Research? What Gets Published? 60
Case Releases 61
Disguised Versus Fictionalized Cases 63
 Differences Between Fictionalized and Disguised Cases 63
 Do Journals Publish Fictionalized “Cases”? 64
 Why Not Fictionalized “Cases”? 64
 Rules for Disguised Cases 65
 Disguise Tips 65
Research Ethics for Case Writers 68
5. Writing a Compact Case 77
Case Writing Conventions 78
Compact Case Components 79
 Opening Hook 80
  Five Ws and an H Framework 80
  Length of the Hook 81
  What Not to Do 82
 Industry Background 83
 Company History 85
 Manager(s) 86
  Secondary Sources 86
  Primary Sources 86
 Problem/Case Focus 87
  Informative 87
  Keeping it Short by Avoiding Detours 88
  Keeping it Interesting 88
  Leaving Out Personal Feelings or Biases 88
 Don’t Tell Us – SHOW Us! 90
  Omitting History or Key Facts 91
  Selecting a Point of View 92
  Presenting Different Perspectives 92
 Closing Hook 93
  What To Do 94
  What Not To Do 95
Exhibits in Compact Cases 97
 Data Visualization Trends Demand Improvements in Case Exhibits 98
 Increased Encounters With Visualization 98
 Buried Alive in Data 99
 Everybody’s Doing It! 99
 Tips for Data Visualizations in Case Exhibits 100
  Graphs 100
  Financial Statements 107
  Maps 109
  Diagrams/Charts 110
  Photos 112
  Videos 114
The Writing Process 115
Compact Case Word Budget 117
Our Journey Ends, or Does It? 119
Editing the Case 119
 Editing Checklist 120
 A Final Caveat 121
6. Writing the Teaching Note for a Compact Case 127
Purpose of the IM/TN 128
 Case Writer 128
 Adopting Instructors 129
 Evaluators 129
 Editors and Reviewers 130
 Deans and Tenure Committees 130
Components of the IM 131
 Synopsis/Case Summary 133
  Evaluating a Case Synopsis 134
  Additional Synopsis Elements 134
 Pedagogical Usage 135
 Learning Objectives (LOs) 137
  Effective LO Examples 138
  Frequently Observed Problems with LOs 140
 Research Methodology 142
  Effective Research Methodology Sections 143
 Discussion Questions (List) 143
  Characteristics of Effective Discussion Questions 144
 Teaching Strategy 144
 Theory Discussion 145
  Scholarly Contribution of the IM 145
  Content of the Theoretical Discussion Section 146
  Using Theoretical Linkages to Distinguish Your Case 146
 Additional Readings and Supplementary Materials 147
 Discussion Questions and Answers 148
  Characteristics of “Good” Answers 149
  Characteristics of Unacceptable Answers 150
  Checking the Answers to the Discussion Questions 151
 Epilogue 152
IM for Compact Cases Versus Traditional Cases 154
7. Writing Compact Cases with Students 159
Benefits of the Case Writing Assignment 160
 Student Benefits 160
  Case Writing Skills Are Needed Business Skills 162
 Instructor Benefits 162
The Challenges of the Case Writing Assignment 164
 Student Challenges 164
 Instructor Challenges 165
Structuring the Case Writing Project 166
 Individuals or Teams 166
 Length of Case 168
 Type of Analysis 168
 Peer Feedback 170
Conference Workshop Presentation 171
Publication Process 171
How to Do It – Learning from the Experience of Others 173
 Timeline for MBA Case Writing Assignment 181
 The Undergraduate Case Assignment Example 181
Evaluating Student Cases 189
Student Response to the Case Assignment 192
8. Publishing a Compact Case 197
Why Publish? 197
Getting Your Compact Case Ready for Journal Submission 200
 Step 1: Test Your Case in the Classroom 200
 Step 2: Revise the Case and IM to Incorporate Feedback 201
 Step 3: Present Your Case at a Case Conference 202
 Step 4: Select a Journal for Publication 204
 Step 5: Revise to Comply with Journal Guidelines 208
 Step 6: Submit Your Case! 209
 Step 7: Be Patient 210
The Publication Process 210
Responding to Reviewers 217
 What Not To Do 218
 What To Do 219
 Five Simple Rules for Writing a Response to Reviewers 220
Activities Post Case Acceptance 223
9. Teaching with Compact Cases 227
The Case for Teaching with Cases 227
 Cases Encourage the Development of Effective Communication Skills 227
 Cases Stick with Students Beyond the Classroom 228
Design, Assign, and Align 228
Case Teaching Modalities 229
Teaching with Cases Online 231
 Motivating Case Preparation Regardless of Modality 233
 Tools for Teaching Cases Online 235
 Best Practices for Online Case Pedagogy 236
 Challenges for Online Case Pedagogy 241
Teaching Tips for Compact Cases 242
What Have We Learned About Case Teaching? 244
10. Looking to the Future 247
Final Thoughts 253
Appendix 1: Annotated Copy of Chipotle Case 255
Appendix 2: Annotated Copy of Chipotle Instructor’s Manual 259
Index 269

About the Author

Rebecca J. Morris, PhD, is a Past-President and Fellow of The CASE Association and the North American Case Research Association (NACRA). She has served as the Editor-in-Chief of The CASE Journal (TCJ) since 2016. Currently, she serves as the Associate Dean of the School of Business, Mathematics, Computing and Sustainability at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA.

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