2024 – Introduction The student will be provided with Case Studies or similar exercises related to the current

Introduction

The student will be provided with Case Studies (or similar exercises)  related to the current readings during Units 1 through 8 of the course.  After reading the relevant cases (or similar exercises), as a minimum,  the student will write answers to all questions following the required  case and submit them by 11:59 p.m. Sunday CT. If the case or exercise  does not have following questions, there will typically be requirements  listed in the surrounding reading or exercise. If not, following the  below section on “How to Write a Case Study” will be sufficient  analysis. Directions provided here will indicate when to use the “How to  Write a Case Study” guidelines.

Directions

Using information from the textbook and from outside reading, the  student should respond to each question below as regards the  corresponding case study (don’t forget to number each response) in  approximately 2-3 paragraphs per question. All cited material must  include both internal citations and a complete reference list at the end  of the paper. A cover sheet should minimally indicate the Case Study  number, the name of the course, the student’s name and the date.

How to Write a Case Study

You have to think like a practicing manager if you want to analyze a  case successfully. As part of your analysis, it is necessary, but not  sufficient to answer the following questions in enough depth to show  that you have performed more than a superficial reading of the case’s  content, and subsequently applied relevant theory.

• What is the issue being presented or analyzed in the  case? Focus on the main issue in the case if more than one topic is  presented. Use your judgment to decide on which issue is the one that is  potentially most costly to an organization if left unresolved. There  are more kinds of cost to be considered than economic costs. Do not  neglect them in your analysis.
• Where did the issue take place? Consider this because  you need to take into account cultural and environmental considerations  that may differ from those of the United States, in your analysis.
• When did the issue take place? There may be historic  and environmental considerations different from those of the United  States, which should be taken into account in your analysis.
• Who was affected by the issues? In other words, who are  the stakeholders inside and outside of the organization that need to be  considered when formulating an analysis, and possible response to the  situation?
• Why did the issue occur? This may involve conjecture on  your part. It is all right to speculate; just identify your speculation  as such. In an empirical case, causal factors may be identified as  such.
• How would you, as a manager, apply the insights gained from the case to improve an (your) organization’s operations? Each paragraph should be  organized around a single topic, and transitions should flow logically  from one paragraph to the next.

Cases

Chapter 28, Case Study 28.1 – KeyChemicals’ acquisition of Eco-Pure: recognizing the opportunity and starting the process

Please read the case and:

1. List the issues that you feel those leading the acquisition will  have to attend to if it is to be implemented successfully. Provide  reasoning and evidence for your answers.
2. Provide any changes that you would make to your recommendations as  separate comments after you have read the chapter. If there are no  changes, a brief statement to that effect will suffice.
3. You may want to consider the above factors (“How to write a case  study”) when you are preparing your case answers as an aid to organizing  your information if you find it helpful.

Chapter 28, Case Study – Analysis of an article cited in the chapter.

1. Read: Kotter, J.P. (1995). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 73(2): 59-67.
2. Do not just summarize the article. If you must provide a summary, limit it to no more than a paragraph.
3. Provide your interpretation or application of how the content in the  article can be used to promote successful change efforts. If the  content could be used to improve conditions in your organization  consider using those examples.