Page 21 - CL How to Read a Case Study

In 2003, Nguyen Huu Lam, proposed the following lists of

advantages and disadvantages associated with the business
case study.

Advantages of Case Study

1. Is personal.
2. Is real.
3. Is specific.
4. Places the members in a group situation.
5. Establishes a strong give-and-take.

6. Brings about a recognition by the members that
– other people look at situations in different ways,
– other people have problems similar to their own, and
– other people have difficulty in solving problem.

7. Produces a realization that the types of problems discussed do not have a single
subject or a single answer.
8. Develops judgment and ability to think independently and more maturely.
9. Provides experience for performing essential parts of the supervisory or
administrative task.
10. Brings about a better understanding of human behavior and increased sensitivity to
causes behind behavior, and an awareness of the necessity for seeking these real

causes.
11. Increases skill in communication.
12. Reduce fixed attitude

Disadvantages of Case Study

1. Does not actually provide real experience.
2. Is incomplete.
3. Sometimes overemphasizes the making of decisions.
4. Takes more skilled discussion leader than do other methods.
5. Is different.

6. Is slow.
7. Is not adaptable to all instructors or students.
8. Presents greater opportunities for the “eager beavers” to monopolize the discussion.
9. Is more difficult to integrate the results of this method with specific operating
practices.
10. Is not useful when the primary purpose is the transmission of facts.

11. Can be a waste of time and effort, if not used properly.