Introduction: Analysis of case studies of real world business organizations will provide students with insights into how the concepts you are learning are applied in the business world. Case studies aim at developing your critical thinking, analytical skills and also your ability to develop alternate strategies.

A case study is a story of a business organization. Normally it provides the student with the back ground of the company, current strategy, performance, opportunities and threats. You are expected to analyze the firm’s strategy and problems and opportunities and come out with better strategic alternatives.

An effective case analysis process involves the following steps:

1. Understand the case: While preparing a case study read the case carefully and make a note of important issues relating to strategic management (underlining or highlighting may be a good idea). The aim of this phase is to develop familiarity with the case.
2. Problem/opportunity identification: Identify the problems the firm is facing and opportunities available as given in the case, along with the supporting information. This can be gathered from the narrative or statements attributed to different sources regarding the firm.
3. Analysis: Analyze various issues that are leading to the problem (s) or opportunity (ies) as given in the case. The analysis can be based on financial performance or some qualitative factors mentioned in the case. Students can use different models for analysis like Ratio Analysis, or qualitative models like balanced score card, triple bottom line, etc. The analysis must lead to clear findings regarding various issues.
4. Developing alternate strategies: Using the knowledge you have gained during the course you are expected to suggest up to three alternative strategies (solutions) about each issue. Then compare strengths and weaknesses of each of these recommended strategies and select the most suitable strategy.
5. Develop an action plan for implementation: The final step in the process is developing a viable action plan to effectively implement the recommended strategy.

Suggested Format

The Case Study should be presented as a professional report to a client. Use APA formatting for the body and references. You can use the following headings for your Case Study Analysis Report.

1. 1. Objective of the case
   2. Introduction: Brief Introduction to the case.
2. Company Background: Introduce the company, its background, important people etc. If not much information is given in the case, this part could be included in the introduction. But it is preferable and recommended that you have a separate section.
3. External Environment Analysis: Your analysis must cover all three sub-environments of external environments. At the end of this analysis you will identify the opportunities and threats to the firm.
   1. General Environment: Here you have to discuss the effect of the seven applicable factors of the general environment on the firm and its strategy (present and future).
   2. Industry Environment: In this part you may like to analyze the firm using Michael Porter’s 5 Forces model. You will also discuss the entry barriers in this industry.
   3. Competitor Environment: In this part you will identify the competitors, analyze their strategies, capabilities, competitive advantage, market share etc.
4. Internal Environment Analysis: Internal environment analysis leads to identification of Strengths and Weaknesses. Your analysis must identify:
   1. Resources
   2. Capabilities
   3. Core Competencies
   4. Whether the firm has sustainable competitive advantage or not?
   5. Analyzing the firm using Value Chain analysis.
5. SWOT Analysis: Summarize the outcomes from 4 and 5 above.
6. Business Level Strategy:
   1. Identify their business level strategy from the five generic strategies
   2. Discuss the effectiveness or otherwise
   3. Measures to improve the effectiveness
7. Competitive Dynamics:
   1. Comment on market commonality and resource similarity
   2. First mover advantage
   3. Competitive dynamics (fast, slow, standard cycle markets)
8. Corporate Level Strategy:
   1. Identify their Corporate level strategy basing on the level of diversification
   2. Discuss the effectiveness or otherwise of Corporate Level strategy
   3. What can be done to improve the effectiveness
9. Acquisition and Restructuring Strategies:
   1. Discuss all the acquisitions and comment on whether their acquisition strategies are successful.
   2. Discuss the factors behind the success or failure
   3. Discuss the restructuring initiatives if there is any
10. International Strategy:
    1. Discuss the international corporate strategies
    2. Discuss determinants of international entry using Porter’s Diamond Model
    3. Assess the effectiveness of international entry strategy
    4. Comment on the international risk the firm is facing
11. Organizational Structures and Controls:
    1. Comment on effectiveness of organizational structures
    2. Comment on effectiveness of strategic controls
    3. Comment on effectiveness of financial controls
12. Strategic Leadership:
    1. Discuss the performance of strategic leadership.
13. Strategic Entrepreneurship:
    1. Discuss recent entrepreneurial actions taken
14. Findings:
    1. A summary of your findings about the case in a logical sequence and referring to supporting evidence
15. Recommendations:
    1. Suggest up to 3 alternatives strategies to improve the firm’s performance
    2. Recommend the best strategy
16. 1. Layout the implementation road map
    2. Explain the assumptions (if any) and required actions
17. Conclusion

References: If you include additional information from other sources that provide greater currency to the cased, it would be considered as value added and will get you better marks).

Other recommended sources about case studies:

1. Please also read case study analysis guidelines given in your text book page iv to xii, at the beginning of cases section.
2. Please refer to Ivy case study analysis method. Web site:http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/Busi/IntroBus/CASE…
3. **Most important objective of case analysis is to bring innovative way of solving organizational challenges faced by the focal company.