Российская экономическая академия им.Г.В.Плеханова
Кафедра иностранных языков экономических факультетов
ACTIVE LEARNING:
Case-Based Studies
Collection of cases with assignments
Moscow 2011
Introduction
This Workbook is designed to assist the student (i.e. you) in mastering the principles of case studies and analysis and making up a format in accordance with the Harvard Business School model. It supplies the framework for analyzing a case both at home and in class.
Please remember that there is no universal solution to any given case. It is your personal viewpoint and its logical base that count most of all in this subject.
I. The Summary.
It is usually written in the following way: you read the case carefully the second time around (a few minutes after familiarizing yourself with it by scanning it through for the first time), maybe even refer to the dictionary for the clarification of new words.
Then you put the Case aside and write down the most essential facts that you remember – in your own words. You do not copy the relevant sentences from the case – it is what struck you as being very important that should be reflected in the Summary.
The Summary should comprise about 30% of the original contents of the case – the most vital points only (5 to 10 sentences). It is preferable (where the logic and the text permit it) to write the Summary in the Simple Present-Simple Past Tense.
II. The Problem.
The problem is “the nail”, on which the picture called the Format hangs.
It is arguably the most crucial item of any format.
The Problem is always a full sentence (the subject/noun + the predicate/verb) and a statement (not a question or a negation).
The most vital part of the Problem is the predicate – the verb – as it carries the bulk of the information contained in the Problem. That is why it is not at all advisable (prohibited even) to use modal verbs or the verb “to be” for that...