Description

Case Studies

Throughout the course, we will use case studies as an important tool for learning since understanding of entrepreneurship is greatly aided by role modeling and pattern recognition. Cases put you in the shoes of different entrepreneurs and force you to make decisions based on the information in the case. These instructions provide guidance on how to prepare for our class discussions of case studies throughout the semester.

What to Expect for Each Case Study

Prep Work: Each student will review the case and submit answers to a handful of questions through Canvas prior to our class session focused on the case. These answers will be prepared on an individual basis.

Class Session: One team of three students will be assigned to lead off each class discussion with a formal presentation explaining its recommendations. Each presentation is expected to be professional and substantive in analysis. Following the presentations, we will critique the presenting team’s solution and rationale.

Suggestions for Preparation

There is more than one way to complete your individual analysis but the following steps are a summary of suggestions for you to consider from John S. Hammond, Learning by the Case Method:

1. Read the first few paragraphs, then skim the rest of the case. Your focus should initially be to understand what the case is about and what pieces of information are available from the case. Your review should include the exhibits so you have a complete understanding of the available information you can use in your analysis.
2. Read the case carefully. Your focus is to find the key facts and problems that the entrepreneurs are facing, and address the assigned questions for the case.
3. Define the key problems or issues facing the entrepreneur. This will allow you to focus on the handful of important issues in the case.
4. Organize the relevant facts and case data for each key problem or issue.
5. Conduct appropriate analysis. This will often require you to conduct quantitative analysis using the information provided in the case.
6. Develop your answers to assigned questions and other recommendations. The goal is to put yourself in the shoes of the entrepreneur and force you to make concrete decisions. Remember that your recommendations should be supported by analysis and case data.

The questions for each case are designed to help you analyze the case. They typically highlight key issues or ask for a particular analysis that will be important to the class discussion. They also focus on the application of concepts discussed earlier in the course. While the assigned questions are obviously important, they are not the only issues you should focus on. You should still review the case and conduct your own analysis of the situation.

Rules for Class Discussion

There is no one way to effectively analyze a case. However, I cannot emphasize too strongly how important it is that you be engaged and participate in our case discussions. Class participation not only heightens knowledge absorption it also provides valuable “entrepreneurial exercise” time where you will use entrepreneurial thinking and decision making.

During the final class session on each case study, students will be called on at random to provide analysis on a specific question or issue presented in the case.

During our case discussions (including online), you are expected to follow the rules listed below:

• Arrive on time
• Listen respectfully
• Build on previous points(i.e., don’t repeat points made earlier by other students)
• Speak concisely
• Direct your comments to your classmates
• Articulate your argument systematically
• State your assumptions
• Give evidence to support your claims
• Participate wholeheartedly

These rules will greatly improve the quality of the overall class discussion.

Grading

Points will be awarded for each step in the case study process described above. The preparation questions and class discussion will be worth 10 points for each case when a team is not presenting. Here is an example of how the points will be allocated for a team that will present for the first case:

Case #	Prep Questions	Team Presentation	Follow-up Discussion
1	N/A	60	N/A
2	10	N/A	10
3	10	N/A	10
4	10	N/A	10
5	10	N/A	10
6	10	N/A	10
7	10	N/A	10
8	10	N/A	10
Subtotal	70	60	70
Total Points	200

The following grading rubric will be used to determine the points for all of the deliverables except the team presentation:

Points Awarded / Deducted	Description of Written Work	Description of Class Discussion
10	·         Meets the description below but stands out as the top 10% of class	·         Meets the description below but stands out as the top 10% of class
9	·         Answers are concise and well formulated ·         Provide evidence from the case, demonstrate insight on key issues, apply concepts from the readings ·         Free from grammatical mistakes	·         Student is present and engaged ·         Participates with quality, concise comments that demonstrate insight, use case facts for support and help move the classroom discussion forward.
7	·         Answers are well formulated ·         Demonstrate effort even though analysis and insight may not be on point ·         Limited grammatical mistakes	·         Student is present, engaged in the class discussion, and participates in the discussion with comments that reflect adequate preparation and thought into the issues presented in the case.
5 or lower	·         Answers lack well-formulated analysis ·         Failure to demonstrate insight and/or show a misunderstanding of case facts on at least one question ·         Includes a number of grammatical mistakes	·         Student is present but not fully engaged in the discussion (e.g., makes one comment and then is focused on other work), or comments reflect a lack of preparation or understanding of the case.
0	·         Failure to submit work on time ·         Failure to answer all questions ·         Failure to demonstrate insight and/or show a misunderstanding of case facts on two or more questions	·         Failure to attend class without prior approval ·         Failure to engage in class discussion ·         Student demonstrates he or she failed to conduct required analysis (e.g., didn’t read case)

In assessing quality of comments during the class discussion, the focus is on comments that move the case discussion forward by:

• Revealing important issues,
• Bringing us closer to some type of decision,
• Making decisions that are well thought-out, logical, and rational,
• Offering opinions that are well thought-out, logical, and rational, and
• Debating or challenging your peers without personal attack.

Please remember that while participation is necessary, quality is more important than quantity in our class discussions. This means that while participation is necessary to achieve a good grade, simply talking the most will not result in a higher grade.

 

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