The Integrated Case Study Component
The module aims to:- Provide a learning experience for students whereby the learning outcomes from the MBA programmer can be brought together and consolidated from a general management perspective into a substantial body of work focused upon a case study approach to research and applied outcomes Provide a discussion and learning framework within which the reality of the cross-functional contexts of the modern business environment and the matching skill sets required in this environment are able to be explored within a sustained piece of applied research within a case study approach Provide a learning platform in which the inter-disciplinary skill set needed in contemporary management contexts is able to be developed while drawing on a range of general management disciplines & competencies exhibited by the student ND tested within the project.
Providing an integrative Learning Framework within a case study approach aimed at and based upon real-life business situations, while providing the mentoring safety of the academic environment and sheltered from the risks of the real world.
Critically focus on enabling students to review practical business problems and proposing solutions to these problems within a controlled “live” learning environment. Provide opportunities for students to solve cases/case study examples and Justify the solutions that have been put forward from an available pool of different solutions. Provide opportunity for students to focus on decision making areas and ensuring that viability of responses becomes a key element of their skill sets Provide students with an introduction to the differential learning opportunities offered within retrospective, contemporary, and prognostic case study analysis and the evaluations which may be drawn from differing examples.
Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to: Undertake a holistic review of a complex business scenario from an objective, impartial respective to complete a Situational Analysis From a SOOT Analysis priorities issues, challenges and problem themes to thereby determine order and priority for action Understand strategic and operational constraints within which a business must perform Set strategic direction through Vision, Mission, Core Values, Competencies and Business Objectives Produce a Strategic Plan for the business based upon the module contents of the MBA programmer Learn from complex business issues in the role as an independent business consultant, or other specified role within the equines case scenarios Undertake complex analysis and evaluation from data and information provided in the case study Propose Justified creative courses for management action based upon applied knowledge from the MBA programmer Demonstrate confidence in analyzing complex business situations Indicative content Introduction to Case Study Analysis Mini Cases, Macro Cases and Integrated Business Case Studies A Modeled Approach to Case Study Analysis for Analysis and Decision Taking Understanding the Case Study Assignment Brief Situational, SOOT Analysis and Resource Constraints Problem Identification & Analysis Procrastination Alignments to Strategic Intent Assumption Setting Strategic Business Planning Objectives, Strategies, Action Plans, by function to time scales Total Resounding, Human Capital Development & Structures Monitoring, Review & Control Planning for Performance How to write a case study report Pitfalls of case study analysis Core Text: Yin, ARK (2008) Case Study Research: Design and Methods Sage Publications, Inc; Fourth Edition Simons, H (2009) Case Study Research in Practice Sage Publications Ltd.
Thomas, G (2010) How to do your Case Study: A Guide for Students and Researchers Sage Publications Ltd.
Recommended reading Gearing,J (2006) Case Study Research: Principles and Practices Cambridge University Press Basses, M (1999) Case Study Research in Educational Settings Open University Press INTRODUCTION LLC-eliminated Case study: Chapter structure (to be preceded by a one page executive summary ) Chapter AY pages Word usage Introduction (to state rationale and Aims and objectives) 500-1 ,OHO words 1 week Case brief: Description of the situation 1 weeks Problem statement and plan of analysis 10-15 -3,000 words 2 weeks Analysis and findings 3,000 words 3 weeks Assumptions and Scope of the study Proposed solution to problem Recommendations, Limitations of the Analysis 5-8 1 ,500 words Application of the findings on another company from the same industry 10-15 3 000 words Appendices (data, references), Documentation Total 30-45 9-1 ZOO words * suggested this be written as consultant to Management in first person. Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Marking guideline MBA: INTEGRATED CASE STUDY ANALYSIS ASSESSMENT FORM Academic Year: Date of Submission: title: Chap Marks Is the title properly worded? Is the abstract clearly written? Is the Introduction heaper well organized?
Are the Aims and objectives clearly expressed? 10 Is the situation described adequately and relevantly? 10 Is the problem stated clearly? Is there a clear outline of the plan of analysis? Are relevant models, concepts to be applied clearly explained (and referenced)? Are sources of data, and ethical issues stated? 15 Is the analysis conducted clearly, including application of analytical techniques stated in (3)? Does it address alternative scenarios? Are resource availability and constraints appraised? Are the results interpreted well? 15 Proposed solution to problem Is a clear assessment of the analysis made, taking into account the findings in 4?
Has the business plan been proposed clearly? Are resource availability and constraints appraised? Are critical assumptions In the analysis discussed? Are implications for various stakeholders covered? Application of the findings on another company from the same industry 30 4. THE ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR The supervisors play a key role in the research and Integrated Case Study process. They are a specialist in the subject area chosen by the student and are experienced in the supervision of Masters Integrated Case Study Analysis. The student needs to have a close and continuing relationship with the supervisor and use him/her as a source of advice and support.
The Integrated Case Study seminars and student- supervisor meetings scheduled on a weekly basis in the third semester are aimed at supporting the development of this crucial relationship. Students will be assigned a Supervisor in the third semester.. They are assigned a supervisor with expertise in the research area that they have chosen. Each supervisor is given a group of 10 – 12 students approximately with a common area of interest. 5.
THE INTEGRATED CASE STUDY – SEMESTER 3 On release of semester 2 results, students will have one of two possible progress paths: Conditional or Unconditional Progress. Conditional Progress – Students with 2 or less re-sits may start MBA semester 3 on a ‘conditional’ basis.
This means that they commence the semester and attend classes. They then have the opportunity to re-sit the failed subjects during resist week. Students who pass all re-sits will then go forward with Unconditional Progress. Students who fail any of their re-sits will no longer be able to continue MBA semester 3.
They will be required to go back to semester 2 and retake the failed module. Once progress on to MBA semester 3 during the following semester. Unconditional Progress – Students who have passed all modules required for their Postgraduate Diploma will progress ‘unconditionally on to MBA semester 3. Students have 7 seminars and individual student-supervisor meetings during the third semester.
Each session is of three hours duration.
Attendance at these sessions is compulsory and a pre-requisite for submission of an Integrated Case Study. Attendance is monitored by means of the standard attendance register errantly in use for all other courses. Students get to meet the course administrators twice in a semester. The final Integrated Case Study seminar is scheduled in such a way that 2 weeks before the submission deadline students are expected to provide their supervisor with a full draft of their Integrated Case Study for review at this point before the final submission. Their supervisor will then sign a Supervisor Declaration to verify that they have seen a final draft. Students will be unable to submit their Integrated Case Study without this document.
) If supervisor is unavailable they need to get it from the Programmer Leader. The first hour of the Integrated Case Study Seminar should focus on discussing issues of common interest to the supervisory group (e. G. How to carry out and present the literature survey, how to present tables) and permit each student to present their research progress. A presentation and report should be made every two or three weeks.
This enables supervisors to monitor progress, provide objectives and motivation for students and minimize the risk of plagiarism. It will also create a feeling of group cohesion by making them aware of the progress of others.
The second two hours of the three hour session is devoted to individual supervisory tuition. These are scheduled so that each student knows the time at which they will meet their supervisor each week. Because of numbers, each student will probably receive an individual meeting of a minimum of 30 minutes in length on a fortnightly basis. A record is kept by the student and supervisor of the content of the discussion of each meeting, the agreed actions to be taken by the student before the next meeting and the time of the next meeting.
This form is completed at the end of each tenting and signed by the supervisor. Students who fail to attend the seminars will receive a warning after missing the first seminar.
If a second seminar is missed the student will be called in for a disciplinary certificate is provided), the student may be suspended and required to repeat the semester or asked to leave the School. Monitoring of progress. Students are required to submit written work for the supervisor’s approval in week 4 (2000 words) and week 8 (7000 words) of the Integrated Case Study phase and this should be recorded on their monitoring sheets in the Register.
The staged submission of written work is an essential part of the strategy to reduce plagiarism. In addition to assessing and advising the student on the academic quality of their work, the supervisor is required to check for plagiarism and report any cases to the Programmer Leader. 5. Integrated Case Study Seminar Content The content of the Integrated Case Study seminars in the third semester may follow the pattern below, although it may also vary depending on the needs of the particular group. Session 1 Review of the relevant University Integrated Case Study Guidelines with emphasis on Plagiarism, Citation and Referencing Guidelines.
Students should be informed about the importance of case study analysis, introduction to case study analysis, discussion of mini cases, correct citation and referencing, and the consequences should their work be found to be plagiarisms. Details of the module and submission process should also be explained during this session. Session 2 Discussion on a sample case and the areas that can be undertaken by the students to analyses the case.
Students to meet the supervisor with the background of the study, statement of the problem and the research aims and objectives. Session 3 A summary by each student of his/her work showing the problem identification and analysis and resource constraints.
Supervisors can talk about PEST , SOOT, Five forces analysis and other areas. Session 4 An account by each student of how he/she intends carrying out his/her case study analysis and student to explain the strategies, action plans, theories, models and concepts that will be used to analyses the case. Session 5 Monitoring and reviewing the performance of the students and giving guidance on the application of the learning to another organization in any industry.
