SOLVING CASE STUDIES
IN EXAMS
WHAT IS A CASE?
• Description of an actual situation
• Commonly involving a problem, issue,
challenge or opportunity requiring a
decision or action
• Prepared through field-research
• Presented in written or other visual/audio
forms with unwritten context
PURPOSE OF CASE STUDY
Case analysis helps students to acquire
two skills:
Applying theories to real situations
Generating solutions to real problems
PURPOSE OF CASES
IN YOUR EXAM
•
Already identified issues in forms of questions
•
Scenario explained
•
Alternatives asked
•
Checking of what you know from your study
and how you apply in the scenario
SKIM THROUGH THE CASE IN
MINIMUM TIME (5-7 MINUTES MAX)
- TITLE UNDERSTAND
- FIRST AND LAST PARAGRAPH
DEALING WITH CASE IN EXAM
First Step – Identification of Issues and
Problems
Read the question carefully to identify what it is
asking, read it at least 3 times, make the question
crystal clear in your mind.
Try to link it to the concept, theories or subject
matter the question is related to.
STEP 1 - EXAMPLE
What routes of globalization has the Mayor
group chosen to go global? What other
routes can be taken?
DEALING WITH CASE IN EXAM
Second Step –
Start reading the case, when you come to the place
where the answer is given, underline it or highlight
it, and read clearly what is given and understand it.
DEALING WITH CASE IN EXAM
Third Step –
Link between what is given in the case and the concepts you know.
Please remember the question in case is always about linking what you
studied in the course with what you are reading in the case.
Based on concepts and theories you have studied, give critical
reasoning i.e. solution to the question.
Answer in your own language.
DEALING WITH CASE IN EXAM
Fourth Step –
Go back to the next question and again read the
question, be crystal clear about the question being
asked, link it to the concept or theory repeat the
same process, now go back to the case and start
reading from the place you highlighted earlier.
The mantra is
• to understand what the issue is (in your
case the questions given)
• then link it with concept and theories you
learned and
• Provide actionable solutions based on
concept and theories
SKILLS THROUGH CASES
• Analytical skills
• Decision making skills
• Application skills
• Writing skills
• Time management skills
• Creative skills
I KEEP SIX HONEST SERVING MEN
(THEY TAUGHT ME ALL I KNEW);
THEIR NAMES ARE WHAT AND WHY
AND WHEN; AND HOW AND WHERE
AND WHO.
— RUDYARD KIPLING
USING A CASE SOLVING
TEMPLATE IF NECESSARY
CASE MANAGEMENT
PROBLEMS
• Lack of time management
• Lack of preparation
• Lack of patience
• Lack of commitment
• Lack of writing skills
• Lack of organizing answers
• Lack of understanding of theories and concepts
WHEN PROVIDED…
Take a look at the exhibits to see what
numbers have been provided.
Review the case subtitles to see what
areas are covered in more depth.
Review the case questions if they have
been provided. This may give you some
clues as to what the main issues to be
resolved are.
SOME TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR
ANSWERS
1. Restate the problem in your own answer to show you
have understood
2. Divide you answers in sections with proper titles and
headings when necessary
3. One idea per paragraph
4. Illustrations with examples
AN EXAMPLE
What routes of globalization has the Mayor group chosen to go global? What other routes can be
taken?
Restate the question. Then spend a paragraph about telling how Mayor group chose to go
global.
Second Paragraph – Pros and Cons of that – your analysis
The other path of going global was
•
Joint Ventures: Explain how, pros and cons and if an example you can illustrate, that is
really good.
•
Strategic Alliance: Explain how, pros and cons and if an example you can illustrate, that is
really good.
•
Subsidiary: Explain how, pros and cons and if an example you can illustrate, that is really
good.
•
Acquisition: Explain how, pros and cons and if an example you can illustrate, that is really
good.
CASE STUDY - A GLOBAL PLAYER?
READ THE FOLLOWING CASE STUDY
AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
GIVEN AT THE END
What routes of globalization has the Mayor group chosen to go
global? What other routes can be taken?
• 100% export-oriented, production based on Jalandhar
• Through direct export with/without foreign marketing
intermediaries
• Exporting through own marketing facilities abroad
Other Methods can be
• through licensing arrangement with a local party
• through direct investment (Joint Ventures, Strategic Alliances,
Subsidiary and Acquisition)
READ THE FOLLOWING CASE STUDY
AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
GIVEN AT THE END.
What impediments are coming the Mayor group’s way of becoming
major and active player in International Business?
• Discouraging Imports by government through high duties and
restrictions; negative perception value due to government’s stance over
the year
• Perception about Indian goods not good compared to countries like
Taiwan and China already having substantial portion in international
sports market; Domestic Market in India not developed as sports goods
industry consists of only playing equipment not apparels and shoes.
• Slow response to company’s need in tune with the market requirements
from the government
• Lack of infrastructure
READ THE FOLLOWING CASE STUDY
AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
GIVEN AT THE END.
Why is “Made in India” not liked in foreign markets? What can be done
to erase the perception?
• Discouraging Imports by government through high duties and
restrictions; negative perception value due to government’s stance over
the year has created negative perception about India and its goods. Only
recently has liberalization, that is changing, but it looks too slow.
• There can be several things that can be done
• Firstly, the effort needs to come from Government side and speed up to
liberalization and show that India is friendly to foreign imports
• At Mayor’s organization level, they can tie up with local partner and
strategic alliance with popular partners to build the image
• Support more US PGA and RNA Scotland events and associate them with
these big brands.
READ THE FOLLOWING CASE STUDY
AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
GIVEN AT THE END.
Who are the major competing players and what measures can be
taken to offset the competition by Mayor International?
• Country-wise China and Taiwan poses threat.
• Company-wise Soccer International Sakay Trades, Savi, Wasan, Cosco,
Nivia and Spartian are competiting players.
• In country terms, Mayor should try to change the Made in India negative
perception by stressing in quality, timely delivery and competent rates;
associating themselves with reputable brands like US PGA and RNA
• Also, it should think about establishing export centers abroad so that I has
more control and depth to compete.
• Regarding companies, Mayor is already expanding strongly, it has skilled
workforce, quality certification and strong network 40 countries. Again as
its expansion grows, it has to have local marketing centers to cater to the
need of local market.
ANY QUESTION?