THE PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY
TAFT AVENUE, MANILA
RESEARCH CASE PAPER FORMAT
Title Page
Acknowledgment
Approval Sheet
Executive Summary
The case paper synopsis discussing the company’s current situation and the
problems besetting the firm. The final paragraph states the possible alternative courses of
actions solution to the problem. Possibly 1-2 pages only.
Table of Contents
(include all details of List of Appendices, Exhibits, etc)
Chapter 1 The Problem and Its Background
a) Introduction
The researcher cites the relevance and the importance of the study in term
of its existence. The researcher likewise mention theories or concepts linked with
his/her present study in relation to the total industry setting where it belongs and
how it helped them to overcome problems of the firm. The introductory chapter
will have the background of the problems to give the reader a bird’s eye view of
the study.
b) Background of the Study
This section discusses the research environment (locate) under study stating
briefly the history of the company. It contains concise situational analysis of the
past, present and the future outlook of the company. It discusses the thorough
analysis of the organization problems and how the company will solve them.
There are case papers which include:
c) Scope and Limitation of the Study
This includes the coverage of the study, the participants, the issues and constraints
that have direct bearing on the case study.
d) Significance of the Study
This section presents the importance of the study from its intended beneficiaries.
The researcher should prove that study has important contribution to the above
beneficiaries.
e) Definition of Terms
Relevant key terms must be defined in scholarly manner. It will help the reader in
understanding its meaning. The key terms can be arranged as they appear on the
paper.
Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature and Studies
This chapter present studies and importance concepts gleaned from the literature
and theories, which are relevant to the case study. The major source of there related
literature and studies are laws, constitution, management directives (circulars, orders,
memoranda etc) articles taken from book, magazines, journals, and various case studies
either similar or different in nature that has direct bearing on the researcher’s case study.
Chapter 3
Methodology
This chapter presents the specific method used by the candidate in gathering,
analyzing and interpreting the data. It contains the following:
a) Research Design
The case paper is descriptive in nature and will utilize the Harvard Business
School Case Analysis Method. The researcher can cite other considerations in the
evaluation of the case analysis.
b) Participants of the Study
The section discusses the participants of the study either form both the company
and competitors’ participation. These are the people who helped the researcher in
obtaining his/her data in the firm under study.
c) Data Gathering Procedure
The researcher proceeds with the actual sourcing of data, interviews, research,
interpretation and analysis of the study including the need for asking the
company’s permission and approval.
Chapter 4
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
(CASE PRESENTATION using the Harvard Business School Case
Analysis Method)
Time Context - it delineates the take-off-point of the4 case analysis. This is the
date the deviation occurred in the firm under study. This is important in directly relating
the problems and its courses of action to be taken on its actual time. Normally, plans,
actions, documents that have bearing on the study should likewise be within the time
frame previously identified to be consistent with the problem identified during the period.
Point of View – This person simply someone who can male a decision critical to
the company’s growth and opportunities. The final decision maker who can make sound
judgment and able to see the required solutions either short or long term basis for the
attainment of the desired goals for the company.
Statement of the Problem – The problem is a deviation from the standard, by all
means. Thoroughly identified what is the particular deviation. It is either stated in a
question form of declarative form. It will answer the basic questions of what, when,
where, why and how of particular negative or positive deviation.
Statement of Objectives – This is the goal you want to achieve in solving the
problem. These are your future expectations in solving the problem. It is the desired
results of the company stating the SMART PRINCIPLES (Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound).
Areas of Consideration – This section contains discussion of the facts of the
case. It contains all sorts of information, the existing or deviation on policies and
procedures relative to the problem. It analyzes both internal and external environment of
the firm under study or simply the SWOT ANLAYIS (identifying the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats).
Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) – These are generally the possible
solutions formulated to solve the problem and will require further analysis for a final
decision. Stated ACAs will be independently identified from each other and can solve
the problem. The way the researcher will identify the best solution is by means of
identifying/enumerating its advantages and disadvantages stating risk involved or the
merits and demerits including its implications on the future of the company. This will
validate the final decision with the help of decision criteria on the next section.
Decision Criteria – The researcher should identify decision variables that will
help the decision maker for final recommendation and implementation. This section will
analyze quantitatively by rating formulated ACA using the 5-point liker scale matching
the criterion to each ACA and whichever ACA gamers the highest rating will be the ACA
to be adopted for final recommendation. The research should define each criterion and
compare the rating or each ACA.
5 – most likely
4 - more likely
3 – likely
Example
2 – less likely
1 – unlikely
PROFITABILITY:
ACA 1 gamered a weight of 4-more likely because the company will generate profit as much as
15% increase from the year 2000 figure (see exhibit 1-1). In comparison with ACA 2 given a weight of 2
– unlikely which only shows a 7% increase in profit from year 2000 figure (SEE EXHIBIT 1-b)
Chapter 5
Recommendation
The final justification of your recommended solution in solving the problem
qualifying its importance and implications in the company’s continued growth or
survival. The researcher may categorize either on short or long term basis for the purpose
of setting priorities in the actual implementation. The recommendation will now be the
basis for an Action Plan.
Action Plan – This is the firm concise overview of the implementing guidelines
in adopting the recommended solution to solve the problem.
a) State of Corporate Vision, Mission and Objectives.
b) State the Strategy and Policy in adopting the ACA.
c) Implementation of the Plan of Action.
This section contains the detailed roadmap of activities, strategies to be
accomplished on the area of human resource,, marketing, financial and
prediction/operation management of the company. This will serve as a continuing
process to achieve the desired results if the company.
Example:
PLAN OF ACTIONS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CORPORATE VISION:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CORPORATE MISSION:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CORPORATE OBJECTIVES:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
STRATEGY:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
POLICY:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN OF ACTIONS:
FUNCTIONAL AREAS
Xxxxxxxxxx
(HR Mgnt)
(Mktg. Mgnt)
(Finc’t Mgnt)
(Oper. Mgnt)
STRATEGIES/ACTIVITIES
xxxxxxxxx
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
xxxxxxxxxxx
TIME FRAME
xxxxxxxx
BUDGET
xxxxxx
Bibliography
Appendices
Exhibits; Figures (if any)
Curriculum Vitae
The researcher Appendix A will be the COMPREHENSIVE CASE of the
company under study. (This is the basis of the reader to understand the company as a
whole starting from its existence up to the current situation wherein the problem
occurred).
GUIDE IN WRITING A COMPREHNSIVE CASE
Basically the comprehensive case is a situational discussion of the company as a
whole. The introductory statements will serve as a pointer that described the real life
issues affecting the firm. It will guide the reader to see the initial depiction and the
particular problem of the company starting from company historical background up to the
growth years.
The framework for a comprehensive case is as follows:
A) The industry Profile and Historical Background the Company
Company during early years
Corporate Vision and Mission
Company in Turnaround Years
Company in Growth Years
B) The Current Situation
Cite any excerpts from the company’s board meeting, owner consideration
regarding its future outlook. It describes the overview of the problem, challenges
ahead, and implemented strategies.
C) Analyzing the Internal and External Environmental
Covers the major functional areas in business management (human resources,
marketing, financial and production/operation management).
Analyzes competitors and other external forces that affect the company as a
whole.
Succeeding appendices will include various exhibits documents that are relevant to the
case study and deemed necessary in the case study.
a) Organizational Structure
b) Comparative Financial Statements from the period that has direct bearing on the
current study.
c) Financial Analysis.
d) Market Research
e) Industry Figures (if any) Market Share Presentation
f) Product Classifications
g) Flow Charts (if any, especially on the operational problems)
h) Forecasts (Production, Financial Forecasts-Projected F/S)
i) Sales Forecast