SUGGESTED MBA MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY FORMAT By: Prof. Sam Parami, MM.

, MPD Title Page Executive Summary A summary of the principal points of your paper in one place. A standalone document! Covers concisely the major parts of the paper in enough detail to reflect accurately its contents and significance without having one to read it in full. A comprehensive restatement of the documents purpose, scope, methods, results, conclusions, findings, and recommendations A one or two page document yet roughly proportional to the length of your paper

Introduction Provides background information for the research reported in the paper and why it was conducted Aims to establish a framework for the research, so that the reader can understand how it is related to other research Has multiple purposes, namely to create reader interest in the topic, establish the problem that leads to the study, place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and reach out to a specific audience

Literature Review (Analysis of External or Industry Environment) Has several purposes: it shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported; it relates the study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about the topic; and it provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study. Can serve as a benchmark for comparing the results of the study with other findings

In the management case, it scans the available secondary documents and business reports to paint a picture of the general (macro) industry health and environment under which the subject firm operates, i.e., the political, social, economic, cultural, and technological trends, opportunities challenges and key success factors. It portrays the industry size, growth rate, and sales projections It also reviews documents to assess the specific task environment of the business and identifies key players (competitors/rivalry, threat of new entrants, buyers, suppliers, substitutes, alliances), including the industry leaders, followers and those focusing on niche markets

Methodology This section specifies the type of research design used in the paper, such as the approach to data collection, analysis, and report writing. It should describe the context of the research, e.g. type of organization, jurisdiction, indicate how subjects were selected, e.g. random, key informants, discuss techniques for data collection, e.g. interviews, questionnaire, document review, study of case files, and explain the underlying rationale for these decisions. It may be useful to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen design.

The Internal Business Environment Starts by providing a general background of the Subject Firm (brief history, legal status and ownership, general scope of operations, products and/or services, key partnerships) Gives a detailed description of the business operations (general approach to operations, business location, facilities and equipment, salient production processes and procedures, supply chain management, culture, etc) Depicts the management team and company structure Presents the marketing strategies used (Market segmentation and target market selection, promotion, pricing and distribution strategies) Summarizes the financial management controls and strategies

Generally describes how the planning, organizing, directing, and leading functions are carried out in various aspects of management (operations, marketing, HR, and financial)

Analysis The analysis compares the findings of the study with benchmarks established in the review of literature. It compares and determines the gaps found in the external environment (review of literature) and the internal environment. It may point out similarities and differences, agreements and contradictions, and posit explanations for these relationships. Uses various frameworks, tools and techniques of analysis (Porters 5 Forces or Diamond Model, SWOT analysis, Dupont or Financial Ratio analysis, etc Identifies some options open for management for enhanced business growth and profitability

Conclusions and Recommendations Summarizes the findings, and draws inferences Recommends possible changes in current administrative practices, suggests new methods of management or analysis, or proposes changes in policies and statutes The recommendations should flow from the present study and be related directly to the analysis.

References and Appendices