Page 13 - Short Business Case Studies Article

It may simply be that a good case writer is adept at developing the art of
building ‘creative ambiguity’ thereby testing the ability of the user to
solve a case study. This in itself would mean the user had to read,
visualize, realize and analyze the material then think about alternatives
through asking: what went wrong? why did it happen? what is to be
done? what should have been done?

Structure of a Case

The purpose of the case study analysis is to help bridge the gap
between classroom learning and real-life practice. Case studies provide
an opportunity to develop, sharpen, and test analytical skills. To this end
both long and short cases fulfill this function as long as the parameters
of what is aimed at are set out and understood in the case’s use and
development.

Case study development is essentially the growth and telling of a story
but one coloured by the focus the author takes. It is contended here that
simply put, a long case study tends to have a fuzzy focus whilst it is
more probable that a short case study has a greater clarity of focus.

Part of the reason for this is that the short case study may have less

noise and less inferred information and definitely has a lower word
count. However, it still complies with the basic structural characteristics
of case study development as Table 1 shows

.

Structure of a Case
Long Case Short Case

Internal More detailed with Limited detail, limited noise
Environment greater noise

External Richer detail with Limited detail, limited
Environment more inferred parameters
information, broad
parameters

Problem May be difficult to Easier to identify as more
statement identify due to focused on single problem or
embedded multiple issue
issues