Case Studies

The case study allows the investigator to concentrate on specific instances in an attempt to identify detailed interactive processes which may be crucial, but which are transparent to the large-scale survey. Case studies are an important approach for business and management researchers and some masters and much doctoral research work is conducted using this method.(Dan Remenyi)

Example 1

A recent example of dissertation based on a case study approach involved the detailed examination of a large industrial conglomerate over a substantial period of time. The focus of this case study was to understand the inter-relationships between the group corporate strategy and the individual strategies of the separate and somewhat independent subsidiaries in the group.

The main focus of the analytical work was on quantitative issues that employed the extensive use of a statistical packages.
For another dissertation an intensive case study of a medium-sized specialist consulting practice was conducted .

The objective here was to investigate the evolution of power relationships in the orgnisation. Practice which enabled some observation of interaction between consultants during the normal course of the working day. The company also allowed the researcher access to board and weekly planning meeting. In addition, interviews were conducted with at least ten consultants and support staff. The chairperson and managing director were also interviewed as they both consulted with clients. The data collected was then analysed using the grounded theory method. (Dan Remenyi et al.)


Example 2

Integration Management of Western Acquisitions in Japan
Fabian J Froese, Leif E Goeritz.
Asian Business & Management. Houndmills:
Mar 2007. Vol. 6, Iss. 1; pg. 95, 20 pgs


Considering these concerns, and the exploratory nature of our research objectives, we chose a case study research design. Case studies are especially appropriate when one is answering the questions why or how (Yin, 1994). To address Geddes' (1990) critique that selecting only cases with a positive outcome might lead to false inferences, we deliberately chose two companies with similar preconditions, but divergent outcomes. This research design is based on J.S. Mill's theory of difference and allows the formulation of theories for success and failures (Eisenhardt, 1989). As suggested by Yin, we advanced our research question and identified potentially important constructs in the literature before collecting data. Based on previous research (Birkinshaw et al. , 2000), we separated the integration process into human and organizational integration. For human integration, we identified communication, participation and leadership as potentially important factors; for organizational integration, we identified the factors of speed and level of integration. During interviews, observations and data analysis, we paid special attention to these factors, eg we prepared several questions regarding these factors for our interview guideline, but were also open to any emerging findings (Eisenhardt, 1989; Yin, 1994).

Example 3.IIM Ahmedabad Fellowship Dissertation

ECIL: A Case Study of Environmental Change and Organizational Response in the Public Sector

S. Manikutty (1987)

A compendium of Dissertation Abstracts of the Fellow Programme in Management, IIM Ahmedabad, Macmilllan India Limited, Delhi, 1998

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