Learning through Cases

Learning through Cases
Prof.Satya Sidhartha Panda.
Email Id: SatyaSidharth@yahoo.com
Website: www.sidharthmission.blogspot.com

Learning through cases involves case analysis, oral discussion, oral presentation and written presentation. Through all these aspects lead to the fulfillment of objectives of case method as a pedagogical tool, each of them has different contributions.
Case Analysis:
Prior to undergoing through other aspects of case method of learning, the case under discussion requires analysis. The case analysis leads to the development of analytical skills in the participants .Usually, case analysis involves a process which progress through the following steps.
1. Define the problem :
Each case has a problem or a number of problems. A problem may be defined as the gap between what is desired and what is being achieved. You may identify the problem in the case by reading it more than one .At the first reading, it is better to take note of the points which you consider important. Then you may try to determine what the major and minor problems are, jotting how you might analyze them. In fact reading, whole of the problems may not be identified. Therefore, read the case again, and find out through preliminary analysis whether the impression gathered by you in the first reading are correct. At this stage, you should define the objectives of the organization, nature of its environment, and its strengths and weakness. If possible, discuss the case problems with your friends, if instructor so provides. Often in actual practice, managers have a lot of discussion with others in making a decision.

2. Identify the Alternatives :
The problem around which the case is organized is amenable to a solution by several possible alternatives, some of which are obvious from date of case and definition of problem. The alternatives which are not so obvious are generated by the participants. At this stage, it is preferable to generate as many alternatives as possible without evaluating the worth of each. This will provide an opportunity to solve the problem at a much wider canvas.

3. Analyze the Alternatives :
An analysis of alternatives ,the most important step in the case analysis ,comprises the break-up of alternatives .This process should be taken very carefully because sometimes the crucial facts in a case are concealed in a seemingly unimportant remark or a minor statistical exhibit .You should also consider the consistency and reliability of the facts. Sometimes to fill the data gap, some assumptions are made on the basis of knowledge, experience,a judgment .The case analysis and discussion should not be abandoned on the plea that necessary data to solve the problem are not available. If you feel the inadequacy of data for arriving at a feasible solution , you must justify this position by pointing out the inadequacy of data and the way data can be collected. Analysis of alternatives should be taken in the light of the fact the problem can be solved by many alternatives and there is nothing like correct or incorrect answer of the problem.
4. Decisions:
You may not be in a position to arrive at some decisions through which a problem or problems, as identified in the case by you, may be solved. At may play important role in your decisions as these are associated very much with the choice process. Therefore, in making a decision to overcome a particular problem, it is batter to evaluate your decision in the context of totality of the situations and the impact of your decision on these situations; otherwise your decisions may generate more problems solving only one.
(i) Oral Discussion :
However, in a group discussion, there may not be any chairman. Group discussion step of learning through cases aims at developing interpersonal skills in participants.Therefore,you may contribute to the quality of group discussion in case methods by going through the following steps :


1. Prepare the case analysis full before you go for group discussion as outlined in the case analysis.
2. In group discussion, you have to challenge other`s stands and defend you own stands. This has to be done on the basis of facts, figures, reasonings and logics and not merely being aggressive.
3. In group discussion, listening is as important and contributory as speaking. It is better to respect other`s ideas even if these do not watch with yours. Other`s ideas may provide you the inputs to arrive at better decisions.
4.In appreciating other`s ideas ,it is better not to get away from your own ideas but evaluate these in the light of new ideas and modify them if need be .
5. A group discussion should not be treated merely an opportunity to show your dominance. You may contribute more to the group discussion by adhering to group discussion norms of group’s behavior and tolerance.
6. Too much emphasis should not be given on arriving at a final and only solution of the problem because a particular problem can be solved in many ways with almost equal consequences.

Oral Presentation:
Sometimes, participants may have to present the cases orally before a group. In a real business situation, any new idea either by a consultant or manager may be presented before a group of managers so that the latter may appraise this and, if required. May adopt in the organization. To make oral presentation effective, it is better to go through the following guidelines.
1. Prepare the case fully as pointed earlier
2. Oral presentation is not merely reading of written case analysis. While your written case analysis may be evaluated by a single individual, oral presentation is evaluated by a large number of individuals.Therefore; it has to be more convicing.
3. Oral presentation must be accompanied by pictorial presentation of major themes of the case in brief through charts, figures; etc .Pictorial presentation conveys ideas more quickly and convincingly as compared to words. However, avoid the overuse of pictorial communication.
4. At the end of your presentation, there may be queries from the audience. Do not be afraid of that as you have prepared much more on the case than your audience and you may hubly point out that .If there are suggestions for improving your presentation, both in terms of contents and manner, accept those happily.
Written presentation:
Written presentation is the final aspect of learning through cases. A written presentation of the case consists of those aspects which we have delineated for case analysis. Written presentation of case Analysis may be based on the following guidelines.
1. A written presentation may have simplicity but does not overlook the major issues involved in the case.
2. Written presentation should be in logical sequence starting with the brief presentation of the nature of problem and the reasons for the emergence of the problem, alternatives through which the problem may be solved, how each alternative affects the final outcomes for organization, and the additional actions that may be required to implement the decision.
3. If you have made any assumptions in arriving at your conclusions or decisions, present the basis for the assumptions.
4. If you are incorporating any additional material which may be relevant for the case analysis, quote its sources.

To wrap up the discussion…

Attacking the Case
- Problems with quantity of information first too much/later not enough Solution:
- seek additional information
- make assumptions
- Decide which questions to ask
- Instructor will be more interested in the analyses and process than in absolute correctness
Steps of Problem Analyses
- Read the case thoroughly
- Define the central issue
- Define the firms goals
- Identify the constraints to the problem
- Identify all the relevant alternatives
- Select the best alternative
- Develop an implementation plan
More on the Question of Focus
Ø Is there one issue or many issues?
§ The answer may not be simple or obvious
Ø Often it makes sense to organize the problem statement in a hierarchical way
§ A single over-riding issue
§ Additional issues, but usually subsidiary to the main issue
. Deal with most important areas first

EXERCISE-1
KCPL Case


Kritarth Carriage Company has a fleet of trucks to road transport its incoming materials
as well as outbound finished products from / to various parts of the country at regular
Intervals. The crew per truck comprises of one driver and one helper-cleaner who are hired by the contractor. The loading/unloading of materials from the truck is to be carried out in joint presence of the Dispatch / Receiving Section In-charges, Security representative and contractor’s representative in the appointed points with the help of overhead cranes, weighing machines and other gadgets. Since the contractor is interested in getting the materials quickly loaded/unloaded, he has to keep good relations with company staff. Things were going on well till last Monday, when the contractor complained to The Works Manager, Neman, at noon that the crane driver, Kanu threatened to drop the materials from a height during loading/unloading Operations damaging the truck unless he was given Rs.20/- per trip. He added that the Security Inspector KP was demanding Rs.10/- per trip to expedite clearance from the works gate. He further informed that earlier he was disbursing Rs.5/- each to the driver and the Inspector to avoid delay. He organized a trap, signed some currency notes and the Contractor was to pass them on demand. The loaded truck was escorted out of gate. While the named persons were about to leave they were stopped & searched at the gate and the signed notes were recovered from them.

How would handle this case?






EXERCISE-2

Human Relations in the office

In the personnel office of the Tripti Manufacturing company, two girls,priya and Mary ,disliked each other .This fact was known to the personal manager, who had observed that the girls quarreled upon occasion. Although this lack of harmony in the office disturbed the personnel manager, he did not consider the situation serious enough to warrant anything more than a word of caution to the girls now and then. However as time went on the situation became worse. Quarrels became more and more frequent each girl tried to hinder the other in her work. They openly refused to cooperate with each other and began to lose a great deal of time by going out of their way to interfere with each other`s work. One day, while the personnel manager was sitting quietly at work, priya rushed into his office, burst into tears and exclaimed that she could no longer continue to work unless Mary was transferred or discharged.
Questions:
If you were the personnel manager what would you do, and Why?
What do you think could have been done to prevent this situation from happening?


Note: Find the cases for your Self Practice.

Good Luck!!