If you're enrolled in an MBA or executive education program, you've probably encountered a powerful learning tool: the business case. But if you're like many people, you may find interpreting and writing about cases mystifying, challenging, or downright frustrating.

In "The Case Study Handbook," William Ellet presents a potent new approach for analyzing, discussing, and writing about cases. Early chapters show how to classify cases according to the analytical task they require (solving a problem, making a decision, or forming an evaluation) and quickly establish a base of knowledge about a case. Strategies and templates, in addition to several sample Harvard Business School cases, help you apply the author's framework. Later in the book, Ellet shows how to write persuasive case-analytical essays based on the process laid out earlier. Extensive examples of effective and ineffective writing further reinforce your learning. The book also includes a chapter on how to talk about cases more effectively in class. Any current or prospective MBA or executive education student needs to read this book.

The Case Study Handbook presents a powerful new approach for analyzing, discussing, and writing about cases. By using sample Harvard Business School cases, you'll master a number of useful topics, including :

* How to recognize case situations and apply appropriate tools to solve problems, make decisions, or develop evaluations

* How to quickly establish a base of knowledge about a case

* How to write persuasive case-based essays

* How to talk about cases effectively in class

This book also includes strategies and templates to help apply this new framework. Extensive examples of effective writing further reinforce your learning.

A vital resource, The Case Study Handbook is a must read for anyone about to tackle the business case.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1 Persuasion, Argument, and the Case Method

2 What Is a Case?

ANALYSIS

3 How to Analyze a Case

4 Case Analysis Demonstration

Case study: Malaysia in the 1990s (A)

5 Problems

Case study: Allentown Materials Corporation: The Electronic Products Division

6 Decisions

Case study: General Motors: Packard Electric Division

7 Evaluations

Case study: Allentown Materials Corporation: The Electronic Products Division

DISCUSSION

8 How to Discuss a Case

WRITING

9 How to Write a Case-based Essay

10 Problem Essays

Case study: Allentown Materials Corporation: The Electronic Products Division (Abridged)

Sample essay

11 Decision Essays

Case studies: General Electric: Major Appliance Business Group (Abridged) and Whistler Corporation (A)

Sample essays

12 Evaluation Essays

Disguised case

Sample essay

Cases

Beer, M., and J. Suesse. Allentown Materials Corporation: The Electronic Products Division (Abridged). 9-498-047. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 1997.

General Electric: Major Appliance Business Group (Abridged), 9-693-067. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 1992, rev. 1993.

Pisano, G. Whistler Corporation (A). 9-690-011. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 1990.

Reinhardt, F. Malaysia in the 1990s (A). 9-797-074. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 1997.

Wheelwright, S. C., and G.K. Gill. General Motors: Packard Electric Division. 9-691-030. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 1990, rev. 1999.



About the author :

William Ellet is principal and editor of Training Media Review, a revie of business training content and technology for both live and online training. He has more than twelve year's experience teaching students how to read, analyze, and write about business cases in the preMBA and MBA programs at Harvard Business School.