What is a case study ?

A case study is a written record of the events

that occurred at a particular company or
within a particular industry over a number of
years (Schweitzer, 2005)

The details included in a case study may include, but

are not limited to:
– Information about a company, industry, or project
– Objectives, strategies, and challenges established and
encountered
– Responses, results, and recommendations
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Benefits of Case Study Analysis
• learn about the types of problems that many
companies and industries encounter
• analyze the steps other managers have taken to
correct specific problems and concerns
• put your problem solving skills to the test
• allow you to engage in exciting discussions with
classmates and lecturer

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 How to Analyse a Case Study
• You must first have a good understanding of the case study
• Know the case backwards and forwards before you begin
your case study analysis
• Give yourself enough time to write the case study analysis.
You don't want to rush through it
– Analyse the case study requirements/questions/tasks
– Research on the questions
– Structure to answer each of the questions
– Answer the questions
– Proof reading

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How to answer the question/s
Analyse the question
– What is the topic/content of the question
– What is the focus
– What task words describes what you have to do
Understanding what to do with the question
– What is the purpose of the question
– What are relevant issues
Keeping the writing focused on the question
– Sustained argument
– Progression of ideas
– Supporting evidence

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 Argue your findings
An argument is a series of points that support a
point of view and progress logically to a
conclusion.
– Your series of points should be supported by
references (either textbook or journal articles).
– Take examples from the case to argue your point.

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 An argument is not the same as information
Argument Versus Information

Argument
Uses critical analysis to make
an informed opinion
Presents information to a
specific perspective, or
position
Acknowledges other points of
view
Answers possible challenges
Information
Outlines or shows a situation
without analysis
Presents all information with
no focussed position
Does not consider other points
of view

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 Introduction:
should introduce topic or address the questions/problems

should outline the progression of arguments you are going to

make

should indicate scope of discussion

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 Case Study Body
Your Case Study Body is a series of paragraphs
which deals with different points that you will
make regarding the topic.

In this assignment I have helped you by

suggesting questions that you need to answer,
so you should at least have one paragraph for
each of these questions.

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 A Structure Example
( not limited)
Part 1. Identify and discuss the cultural similarities and
differences between united states and France by applying
Hofstede’s cultural dimensions .
Part 2. Critically analyse how cultural difference could impact on
Disneyland’s global expansion and three mistakes they made
during its global expansion. Please give examples to support
your analysis. (examples in the case and research the
relevant literatures)
Part 3. You need provide insights/recommendations into what
should Disneyland do to deal with diversity from a cross
cultural perspective.

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 Marking Guide
Available at Blackboard Assessment Area

Four criteria will be used:

1.Four criteria will be used: 1. Degree of knowledge and comprehension of
Hofstede Study's cultural dimensions and the extent to which discussion is
supported by examples.
2. Critical analysis of major cultural issues in the context of Hofstede Study's
cultural dimensions - that is, using appropriate cultural dimensions theory,
students should establish the major cultural similarities and differences
between the two cultures and provide recommendations on what
Disneyland should do to deal with diversity in the cultural perspective.
3. Communication of case analysis is presented in a logical and well
organised manner as per the specific task instructions.
4. Writing: general language, grammar and referencing.

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 Paragraph structure…
Topic sentences: the MDE principle
M: main idea/Topic sentence
D: details
E: examples

Plus:
CS: concluding/comment sentence
– sums up the point of the paragraph
– may refer back to question
– may not always be necessary if it interrupts flow to next point

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 Coherent, cohesive paragraph Details
Main Idea/Focus With
References
Advocates of online learning quote a range of advantages over traditional
instructor-led training. The most immediate advantage is that online learning
facilitates ease of delivery where employees may be geographically dispersed
(Noe, 2002), or where the task of organising a physical space for training would
take time or even production space (Dobbs, 2000). Consequently, a significant
advantage of online learning is that it is cost effective: the company does not

incur travel expenses or lose production hours. Given these savings in costs, it
would seem that computer technology may easily replace the HRD professional.
Conclusive sentence
on this point.

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 Paragraph with Example
Main
Idea/Point in
paragraph

Another theory that can be usefully applied to this case is Equity Discussion
Theory, which is based on the assumption that everyone in an
organisation wants to be treated fairly (Adams, 1963). Although it of main
has critics (Reinharth and Wahba, 1975), most of the research point with
evidence is supportive of Expectancy Theory (Porter and Lawler, both pro
1968). Equity theory describes the equity comparison process in and con
terms of an input-to-outcome ratio. Individuals assess their own
input, such as working hours, and their own output, such as
salary, against the input and output of other comparable workers
(Adams, 1965; Summers and DeNisi, 1990). In Barbara’s case, it is
apparent that she feels that the organisation’s reward system has
been applied inequitably because “she has been overlooked for a
promotion even though her performance was better than anyUse of example
other worker.” from case to
underline your
point.

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 Conclusion

should reflect the introduction (summarise the

structure)

summarise key findings

restate your main points/position

no new arguments (or references)!!

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 CONCLUSION example

Technology has changed the role of the HRD professional, yet

given its complexities and limitations, it is not foreseeable that
the computer will entirely replace the human element required
in the design, delivery and evaluation of training. The HRD
professional is still required to ensure that e-learning is used
effectively and in alignment with organisational goals and
individual needs. Thus, the most successful approaches to using
technology have incorporated a blend of self-paced e-learning
and traditional face-to-face instruction. More importantly, the
analysis, the design and the evaluation of training relies on the
expertise of HRD staff. E-learning raises more questions than it
does solutions, and it will be the role of the HRD professional to
bring the necessary human element and organisational
perspective to the equation.

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 How to do literature search ?
Library Databases – Scholarly articles

Also refer to the references on textbook page

181

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 Databases in Library
Go to Library Website
– Databases

– Many different databases can be used for Business and

Management –

– But I recommend MegaFile Premier or Proquest 5000

– Search only for scholarly peer-reviewed journals

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 Referencing
Good and accurate referencing is fundamental to all academic
writing. Students need to reference correctly according to NBS
student manual.

7 minimum scholarly articles are required

APA 6th Style Referencing is required

APA 6th Style Referencing have specific rules for how to reference
your articles/textbook and websites.

This is clearly explained in the Student Manual which can be

found on Blackboard on the left-hand menu.
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 Referencing
• You have to reference both in the text, and
also as a reference list at the end of your case
study.
• In text references must include name of
author and year.
• If multiple authors you use the name of all
authors the first time your reference it, then
afterwards you use the first author and et al.

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 Referencing In Text Examples
The subsequent 15 percent increase in sales was
attributed to the new colours (Lane, 1991).
Standard in text reference, authors name and year written

However, cross-cultural comparisons have been done

using the Luscher colour cards (Jacobs, Keown and
Worthley, 1991).
In text reference with multiple authors.

Studies have shown particular colours have a cross-

cultural meaning while other have not (Jacobs et al.,
1991) Same reference as above can be cited as
et al, after you have written all the authors
names once in the beginning of text.
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Author’s
Surname,
Initial
Reference List examples Title of
(year) article

Feldwick, P. (1996) What is brand equity anyway, and how do

you measure it? Journal of the Market Research Society, 38,
2, pp.85-105. Name of Volume
This reference is publication in
Issue italics
a journal
article.

Jablan, S. V. (2001) Visual Mathematics, In Symmetry: Art and

Science, Intersections of Art and Science (Eds, Lugosi, G. and
Nagy, D.) Fifth Interdisciplinary Symmetry Congress, Sydney,
pp. 82-85.
This reference is part of a conference proceedings
where Lugosi and Nagy are editors. The author if the
specific paper is Jablan, S.V. The title of his
contribution is in normal writing while the name of the
conference proceedings is in italics. 21
 Referencing examples
Robinson, P. (1999) Explaining the Relationship between Flexible
Employment and Labour Market Regulation, Global Trends in Flexible
Labour, Macmillan: London.
This reference is a book written by P. Robinson in 1999. The title refers
to a chapter in the book, while the name of the book is in italics. Always
give the name of the publisher (Macmillan) and name of place where
book is published.

Ailawadi, K. L., Lehmann, D. R., & Neslin, S. A. (2003). Revenue premium as

an outcome measure of brand equity. The Journal of Marketing, 67(4), 1-
17. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/30040546

This reference is a online journal. You need to write the full

reference and indicate the URL to retrieve the journal, no
retrieve date is needed.

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