case study for mba students

Here are the top 13 case studies every MBA student should know

• MBA students should expect to read case studies, or real-world examples of why businesses succeed or fail. 
• The case-reading practice in business school was originally pioneered at Harvard, where the MBA curriculum requires students to read up to 500 cases during their two-year program.
• Other business schools eventually adopted the Harvard case method, preparing students for future leadership challenges. 
• Business Insider has compiled a list of the most influential cases recommended by business school professors. 
• One of the cases include how Apple's name change in 2007 allowed the company to redirect its focus from solely Macintosh computers to the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch, and streaming services. Today, computer sales only account for a tenth of the company's $1 trillion market capitalization . 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

If you attend business school , you can expect to read a lot of case studies. Professors love them because they offer real-world examples of why businesses succeed and fail. 

The case method teaching practice was originally pioneered at Harvard Business School (HBS), where the MBA curriculum requires that students read up to 500 cases during their two-year program. The Harvard case method soon spread across business schools as professors sought to prepare their students with leadership and decision-making challenges in the workplace.

There are some classic cases that every business student should know — like why Apple changed its name.

Business Insider has compiled the most influential cases here, with recommendations from business school professors across the nation and abroad.

Max Nisen contributed to an earlier version of this post. 

Why Apple changed its name

Case: Apple Inc., 2008

Key takeaway: Sometimes you can't take a rival head on.

What happened? Three decades after its founding, Apple Computers changed its name and became Apple Inc. in 2007. That reflected the company's shifted focus from its iconic Mac computers toward other digital products like the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch, and media streaming services. Apple's widened niche led to skyrocketing sales and spiked share prices, putting the Cupertino company on a trajectory to become the first US publicly traded company with a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2018, Business Insider reported . Now, the Macintosh computer only accounts for a tenth of the company's business. Rather than beating rival Windows for more shares in the computer market, Apple reinvented itself and redefined the realm of digital devices. 

Thanks to Dr. Aaron Chatterji , Professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, for his suggestions.  

How Lululemon kept its cult

Case: Leadership, Culture, and Transition at lululemon

Key takeaway: Figure out how to bring the founders into a strategy rather than alienating them. 

What happened?  On December 11, Lululemon announced its third-quarter fiscal results . Between August to November, the retail company generated $33 million, increasing its net revenue to $916 million in 2019. Much of the 21-year-old brand's transformation is credited to former CEO Christine Day , who leveraged her experience in expanding the Starbucks brand worldwide to align with Lululemon's model. 

Day replaced founder Dennis "Chip" Wilson in 2008, and she stepped into her role facing many problems: Outperforming stores, hefty investments in low-demand locations, and poor workflow between teams. 

She convinced the founders to attend management programs at Harvard and Stanford so they could better understand how the company must change. Day nearly tripled her team from having 2,683 employees in 2008 to 6,383 in 2013, all while she redesigned the company's structure, according to Pitchbook data . In five years time, she turned Lululemon into an athleisure powerhouse. 

Day stepped down as CEO in 2013 after a series of quality control issues with the clothing, Business Insider reported . She is now the chief executive at Luvo , a frozen food company. 

Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Chatman , the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management  at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, for her suggestions.

How Cisco bounced back

Case: Cisco Systems: Developing A Human Capital Strategy

Key takeaway: Invest in developing leaders in your team

What happened? Cisco is one of the most acquisitive companies in tech. It buys about 10 companies a year, including a $2.6 billion acquisition of Acacia and $380 million purchase of chip company Leaba in 2019, Business Insider reported . 

During the Dot Com Bubble in the 1990s, Cisco's first priority was to scale, bringing in up to 1,000 new employees each month by buying smaller firms. Between 1991 and 2011, Cisco bought more than 140 companies, Business Insider reported . 

But scaling a startup is much more than just increasing headcount. When the Dot Com Bubble burst, then-CEO John T. Chambers realized he had to redirect his focus by developing leaders within the team and build on his company rather than buying more teams through acquisitions.

The company introduced "Cisco University," a training program to promote a versatile workforce. Within three years, the company was listed as one of the top companies where employees are most likely to become leaders. Today, Cisco has a learning network that offers various kinds of classes, certifications, and webinar programs around the world. 

Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Chatman , the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, for her suggestions.

How USA Today reinvented itself

Case: USA Today: Pursuing The Network Strategy

Key takeaway: Sometimes the old guard can't handle a new reality.

What happened? Like many print publications in the early 2000s, USA Today was facing falling circulation of its business amid the rise of digital news. Tom Curley, the company's CEO at the time, saw the need to better integrate his company with internet and broadcasting platforms. His management team and staff were resistant, claiming insurmountable divides in culture and work style. Curley made the case that it was essential for the future of the business, and eventually replaced five of seven senior managers as part of the change. Nevertheless, this case emphasizes that what the company needed at the time wasn't a complete staff change: It needed a new business strategy and more integration as the company was transitioning into its electronic version. 

As of 2018, USA Today sites have nearly 97.4 million unique visitors and 1.2 billion page views, according to the company's website . It has become an award-winning digital news platform. 

Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Chatman , the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, for her suggestions. 

How Dreyer's survived a disaster

Case: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream

Key takeaway: Don't try to spin bad news or mislead workers.

What happened? Before rising to become one of the most popular ice cream brands in the US, Dreyer's had to overcome a company restructure.

In the late 1990s, Ben & Jerry's signed a distribution agreement with Häagen-Dazs and ended its partnership with Dreyer's, The Wall Street Journal reported . Despite still having contracts with Healthy Choice and Nestlé, Dreyer's was dealing with a variety of problems including high input prices and collapsing sales of a low-fat product line.

The company's executives flew all over the country and met with every employee to discuss the restructuring plan. They wanted to preserve the company's culture of openness and accountability. Dreyer's continued to invest in leadership programs, and the company was able to bounce back within a couple of years through consistency and effective communication with its workers. 

Dreyer's continued to experience fluctuating sales in the 2000s, which led the company to merge with Nestlé through a $2.4 billion deal in 2002, The New York Times reported .  

How ethical decisions are different abroad

Case: Merck Sharp & Dohme Argentina, Inc.

Key takeaway: Staying committed to the ethical precepts

What happened? 2019 was a good year for US drug giant Merck & Co. Since it debuted the cancer drug Keytruda, the company's stocks has jumped almost 40% in the past year, giving it a market value of nearly $220 billion, Business Insider reported. 

One way to ensure Merck's increasing sales is if it was on the government's healthcare roster, and when managing director Antonio Mosquera joined the company's Argentine subsidiary, he was faced with an ethical dilemma.

Mosquera was tasked with transforming Merck into a more modern and professional business organization. During the selection process of a highly competitive internship, he had to choose between two candidates, one of whom was the son of a high ranking official in the Argentine healthcare system. 

It was implied that hiring the student would ensure that Merck's drugs would be included on the government's list, which would increase sales. It was a conflict between Mosquera's desire to reform, and the realities of doing business in a changing country.

Mosquera ended up picking the student who wasn't of high government prestige. 

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Vogus , Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Professor of Management at Vanderbilt's Owen School of Management, for his suggestions. 

Why Cirque du Soleil moved outside its comfort zone

Case: Cirque du Soleil - The High-Wire Act Of Building Sustainable Partnerships  

Key takeaway: Sometimes you have to move past an old partnership in order to grow.

What happened? Cirque du Soleil had a mutually beneficial and very profitable partnership with the MGM Mirage casinos. The casino made capital investments in theaters for the company's unique shows, and the shows brought in high-spending clients. Faced with opportunities in Asia and the Middle East, CEO Daniel Lamarre had to figure out how to create different partnerships.  

Thanks to Dr. Aaron Chatterji , Professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business for his suggestions. 

Why Airborne Express lost the delivery race

Case: Airborne Express

Key takeaway: Specialization can compete with economies of scale, but only up to a certain point. 

What happened? Airborne Express, a smaller mailing competitor to giants like FedEx and UPS, managed to significantly grow revenues despite its size. Part of that came on the heels of a strike at UPS, and the company took advantage of that. Airborne found a way to specialize in order to stay in the market along with big corporations like FedEx and UPS. 

They targeted high volume business customers, shipped primarily to large metropolitan areas, aggressively cut costs, and adopted new technology after FedEx and UPS. Ultimately, that strategy wasn't sustainable, and the company was acquired by DHL in 2003. 

Thanks to Dr. Gautam Ahuja , Professor of Management and Organizations at Cornell University's Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, for his suggestions.

Why Nucor Steel took a company-sized gamble

Case: Nucor at a Crossroads  

Key takeaway: Operations expertise has limits; new investment determines its scale. 

What happened? In 1986, Nucor's CEO Kenneth Iverson had to make a critical decision on whether or not to adopt a new steel casting technology that would allow the company to gain significant first-mover advantage and reduce costs in the long run. However, the company would have to make a huge investment, and technology back then was unproven.

In 1989, Nucor followed through with its ambition to build the world's first steel-making mill in Indiana. The company remains an industry giant, announcing a $250 million micromill set to be the first steel plant to run on wind energy in the US, CNBC reported . 

Thanks to Dr. Aaron Chatterji , Professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business for his suggestions.

How bad communication nearly ruined a manager

Case: Erik Peterson (A)

Key takeaway: The importance of being proactive in defining one's role and engaging in managing up to get the support you need

What happened? The case follows a recent MBA graduate who became the general manager at a subsidiary of a large cell phone company in the late '80s. Erik Peterson's group was in the process of building up to offer cell phone service in parts of New Hampshire and Vermont. The project was behind schedule, and Peterson had offered a plan to meet a revised target reviewed by headquarters.

Peterson had trouble with his immediate superior. He did not know who he had to report to, which created problems on both ends while he was attempting to complete a significant reorganization and had problems with his chief engineer. Because of the lack of support, Peterson had to go it alone in many ways.

Eventually, the company was restructured and Peterson's role became more clear.

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Vogus , Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Professor of Management at Vanderbilt's Owen School of Management for his suggestions. 

When a West Point coach learned how to build a team

Case: Army Crew Team

Key takeaway: There are many different factors to consider when putting together a team. 

What happened?: Colonel Stas Preczewski, the coach of the Army Crew Team for the US Military Academy at West Point, was managing two teams of junior and varsity rowers. He previously picked teams solely based on physical endurance and individual performance. Though the strongest players were all in varsity, the junior team was consistently beating varsity in races throughout an entire season. 

Preczewski eventually realized that the varsity team wasn't winning races because the players didn't know how to work well together. Despite being the strongest rowers, the team neglected a key element of the sport — rowing takes teamwork and a great amount of collaboration.  

Thanks to Dr. Emily Michelle David , assistant professor of management at China Europe International Business School for her suggestions for Harvard Business Publishing Education. 

When a Warren Buffet made his biggest deal

Case: Warren E Buffett, 2015

Key takeaway: The art of investing 

What happened?: In 2015, Berkshire Hathaway's chairman and CEO Warren Buffett made a $37 billion acquisition of Precision Castparts Corporation (PCP), an aerospace-parts supplier company. This case is often viewed as an introductory course for business students to understand finance and capital markets. It also examines Buffett's approach to successful investing, as well as his strategy behind building sustainable growth for the company. 

Thanks to Dr. Robert F. Bruner , professor of business administration at Darden School of Business at University of Virginia, for his suggestions for Harvard Business Publishing Education. 

When a major manufacturing company kept costs low – and took care of its employees

Case: Lincoln Electric Co., 1975

Key takeaway:  Businesses can offer value to customers while treating workers and shareholders generously.  

What happened?:  This case study covers the unique business strategy of Lincoln Electric, one of the biggest manufacturing and welding companies in the world. The company built its products at a lower cost than its competitors, but also rewarded employees well with high bonuses and job security. 

Though the case study is from several decades ago, it offers a glimpse into how a company's organizational strategy can lead to strategic success. 

Thanks to Karen Schnarr, assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, for her suggestion for Harvard Business Publishing Education.

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MBA Case Studies From Top Business Schools

Where to Find Them

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Many business schools use the case method to teach MBA students how to analyze business problems and develop solutions from a leadership perspective. The case method involves presenting students with case studies , also known as cases, that document a real-life business situation or imagined business scenario.

Cases typically present a problem, issue, or challenge that must be addressed or solved for a business to prosper. For example, a case might present a problem like:

• ABC Company needs to increase sales substantially over the next several years to attract potential buyers.
• U-Rent-Stuff wants to expand but is not sure whether they want to own the locations or franchise them.
• Ralphie's BBQ, a two-person company that makes spices for BBQ products, needs to figure out how to increase production from 1,000 bottles a month to 10,000 bottles a month.

As a business student. you are asked to read the case, analyze the problems that are presented, evaluate underlying issues, and present solutions that address the problem that was presented. Your analysis should include a realistic solution as well as an explanation as to why this solution is the best fit for the problem and the organization's goal. Your reasoning should be supported with evidence that has been gathered through outside research. Finally, your analysis should include specific strategies for accomplishing the solution you have proposed. 

Where to Find MBA Case Studies

The following business schools publish either abstracts or full MBA case studies online. Some of these case studies are free. Others can be downloaded and purchased for a small fee. 

• Harvard Business School Cases - Harvard offers thousands of case studies on every business topic imaginable.
• Darden Business Case Studies - Thousands of MBA case studies from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia.
• Stanford Case Studies - A searchable database of MBA case studies from Stanford's Graduate School of Business.
• Babson College Case Studies - A large collection of business case studies from the Babson faculty.
• IMD Case Studies - 50 years of case studies from the IMD faculty and research staff.

Using Case Studies

Familiarizing yourself with case studies is a good way to prepare for business school. This will help you familiarize yourself with various components of a case study and allow you to practice putting yourself in the role of a business owner or manager. As you are reading through cases, you should learn how to identify relevant facts and key problems. Be sure to take notes so that you have a list of items and potential solutions that can be researched when you are done reading the case. As you are developing your solutions, make a list of pros and cons for each solution, and above all, make sure the solutions are realistic.

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Here are the top 10 case studies every MBA student should know

Weng cheong,max nisen   .

• MBA students should expect to read case studies, or real-world examples of why businesses succeed or fail.
• The case-reading practice in business schools was originally pioneered at Harvard, where the MBA curriculum requires students to read up to 500 cases during their two-year program. Other business schools eventually adopted the Harvard case method, preparing students for future leadership challenges.
• Business Insider has compiled a list of the most influential cases recommended by business school professors.
• One of the cases include how Apple's name change in 2007 allowed the company to redirect its focus from solely Macintosh computers to the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch, and streaming services. Today, computer sales only account for a tenth of the company's $1 trillion market capitalization, Business Insider reported .
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

If you attend business school , you can expect to read a lot of case studies. Professors love them because they offer real-world examples of why businesses succeed and fail.

The case method teaching practice was originally pioneered at Harvard Business School (HBS), where the MBA curriculum requires that students read up to 500 cases during their two-year program. The Harvard case method soon spread across business schools as professors sought to prepare their students with leadership and decision-making challenges in the workplace.

There are some classic cases that every business student should know - like why Apple changed its name and how Ryanair beat two industry giants.

Business Insider has compiled the most influential cases here, with recommendations from business school professors across the nation and abroad.

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A century of MBA case studies: exacting examples from business life

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Andrew Jack

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

In 1921, Harvard Business School produced its first, single-page mimeographed case study for students (view here and bottom) , about the practical dilemmas faced by managers at the General Shoe Company. Intended to prompt class discussions, the case method has since been adopted by schools around the world as a core part of teaching.

Today, Harvard , Ivey Business School in Canada and The Case Centre are leaders among 50 producers and distributors of thousands of cases, of which millions of copies are sold annually. They are written by a growing number of institutions, in formats including video, describing challenges on an ever broader range of issues, geographies and protagonists.

Below is an abstract of one of Harvard’s most recent cases, on the African media company EbonyLife.

One unusually quiet morning in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2020, Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu, founder and chief executive of EbonyLife Media and one of Africa’s biggest names in the business, brought her laptop to work on the rooftop patio of EbonyLife Place, the company’s flagship lifestyle and entertainment resort.

Founded by Abudu in 2012 with a mission to bring high-quality African stories to the world, EbonyLife was the company behind many of Nigeria’s biggest movies and television shows. It began with a linear TV channel on the Africa-wide direct broadcast satellite service DStv. By 2020, it had produced more than 5,000 hours of TV content and Nigeria’s top-three highest grossing movies.

With a desire for greater control over production and following the end of its relationship with DStv, EbonyLife launched EbonyLife ON (EL ON), an on-demand streaming service. However, it struggled to grow the number of EL ON subscribers.

Global MBA Ranking 2022

Find out which schools are in our ranking of MBA degrees . Learn how the table was compiled and read the rest of our coverage at  www.ft.com/mba .

Abudu started to think about whether she should continue fighting to grow EL ON. Should EbonyLife focus instead on co-production deals with international media distributors such as Netflix, Sony and AMC? Abudu, who had been in the media business for nearly 20 years, needed to make this significant decision for EbonyLife.

Her interest in the media and entertainment industry emerged from a desire to correct harmful stereotypes about Africa. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she grew up in the UK and Nigeria. Drawn to African stories, she wanted to address the fact that there was so much the world did not know about Africa. “I think somewhere deeply buried in my subconscious was a need to tell Africa’s story,” she says.

Growing up in the UK, she routinely encountered misconceptions about Africa and was surprised by how they persisted when she was an adult. “The same questions I was being asked in England [40 years ago],” she says, “are the same questions my children were being asked when they went to school in England.” Questions like, “Do you guys live in trees?”

In July 2020, following its exit from DStv, EbonyLife publicly announced EL ON, with plans to make the platform its main distribution channel. While EbonyLife had already created extensive programming, “a lot of that content was consumed on a daily basis and had a very minimal shelf life”, Abudu explains.

She began to explore the new opportunity of co-productions with global partners that would eventually be distributed through Nigerian TV channels. She signed a multi-title co-production deal with Netflix to make several movies and TV series. Partnering with such companies reduced the upfront financial risks of production. But it was difficult to assess the size of the global audience “ Nollywood ” (Nigeria’s Hollywood) films gained because of the reluctance of the international platforms to share viewership data. Also, Nollywood producers could not interact directly with these viewers. As a result, it was difficult for them to learn who had viewed the content and what aspects of the stories the audience had enjoyed, and then use this insight to plan their future productions.

Beyond producing content, EbonyLife sought to build its own media and entertainment ecosystem. It helped grow the pipeline of local talent through a creative academy that enabled students to attend classes free of charge, funded by the Lagos state government. Abudu also believed EbonyLife could grow further by investing more in its audience’s experiences. In December 2019 in Lagos, she opened the multi-purpose resort EbonyLife Place, which included two restaurants, a boutique hotel, five movie theatres, meeting rooms and a larger multipurpose function hall.

A year later, Abudu was at EbonyLife Place to plan for its relaunch after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. However, she faced other pressing concerns. She reflected on her options around how EbonyLife would distribute its content. Was it too early to make judgments about EL ON? What changes should EbonyLife make to EL ON? Equally, she considered the alternative: could she realistically build a sustainable media business just on international partnerships with streaming services? Was there a scenario in which she could keep EL ON operational while pursuing these international partnerships? After two decades in the industry, pivots were no longer quick or painless. Abudu wondered which option she should pursue. 

The above is an adapted abstract of Harvard Business School’s teaching case study EbonyLife Media, written by Andy Wu, Feng Zhu, Wale Lawal and Pippa Tubman Armerding

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The Most-Read Case Studies Of 2021, And The Profs Who Wrote Them

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Debapratim Pukayastha of ICFAI Business School in India topped the Case Centre’s list of the world’s top case studies for the sixth straight year. Sadly, Pukayastha passed away in May from Covid-19.

Harvard Business School, which invented both the first MBA program and the business case method, remains king of the case study 100 years later, according to the latest international ranking of case authors.

The Case Centre, a nonprofit that distributes the largest collection of management case studies to business schools across the world, today (October 25) unveiled its 2020-21 Top 50 Bestselling Case Authors. HBS had more case authors (nine) on the list than any other business school. However, ICFAI Business School in India was close behind with seven authors, including all three top individual spots. INSEAD had four authors in the top 10, while Harvard has two top-10 authors.

Case studies, which use real-life problems faced by business executives, are still one of the most widely used education tools for MBA students across the globe. More than 8,800 faculty are registered as authors with The Case Centre. This year’s list of best-selling cases  includes each author’s top-selling cases — and though MBA students may not recognize the names of a case study’s author, the titles are more likely ring a bell.

SIX YEARS AT NO. 1, BUT A POSTHUMOUS HONOR

Debapratim Pukayastha of ICFAI Business School (IBS) in India topped the Case Centre’s list of bestselling authors for the sixth straight year. He has earned the distinction every year since the Case Centre began issuing yearly awards for case writing. But this year’s award was a bittersweet honor, as Pukayastha passed away in May from Covid-19.

“Selling over 100,000 copies from an extensive back catalogue of cases since the list was introduced in 2016, Debapratim’s undoubted impact on the case method and management education will live on for years through the many case authors and teachers he has inspired,” the Case Centre announced, “and the vast number of students whose education has been enhanced by learning through his cases.”

Among Pukayastha’s best-selling cases are an examination of safety lapses at a BP oil refinery in Texas City that led to one of the most serious workplace accidents in U.S. history; a case looking at Netflix’s leveraging of Big Data to predict hits; and a case examining how Procter & Gamble develops new products. Besides his annual plaudits for bestselling case, he also won the Case Centre’s Outstanding Contribution to the Case Method Award in 2015, 2018, and 2019.

“I believe that one can be a good teacher without being a good case writer, but it’s not possible to be a good case writer without being a good teacher,” Pukayastha wrote in an author profile on the Case Centre website . “However, I have also found that regularly writing cases can greatly improve classroom teaching. Case writing can be a lonely activity and even hard work, but if you have the passion, it’s worth it! It means you can have a positive impact in classrooms around the world where your case is taught.”

This infographic from The Case Centre shows the key demographic trends in the 2020/21 Top Bestselling Case Authors ranking. Courtesy Case Centre

WHERE TO TOP B-SCHOOL CASE STUDIES COME FROM

The UK- and U.S.-based Case Centre has released its bestselling case author list every year since 2016, ranking authors whose cases have sold the most copies during the previous academic year. This year, it raised the number of bestselling authors from 40 to 50.

Of this year’s list, authors came from 19 different business schools in nine separate countries. That includes 42% each from Europe and the United States, and 16% from Asia.

“As the list increases from 40 to 50, we see a change in the geographic dynamics,” the nonprofit announced. “European and U.S. schools each have a 42% share of the 2020/21 Top 50, down from 45% in 2019-20. While the representation of schools in Asia rises to 16%, up from 10% last year.”

Eighteen percent of the authors are women while 82% are men. While the list does not break down bestselling cases by the race, ethnicity or gender of its protagonists, finding case studies that represent the increasing diversity of business students (and in business executives) has been an ongoing concern for many B-schools’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. For example, Harvard Business School published more than 70 cases with Black or African-American protagonists this past year after long-standing criticism that its studies ignored Black business leaders, according to a Poets&Quants article published in June .

It also produced 90 cases featuring Hispanic, Asian or Asian-American/Pacific Islander, or Native-American protagonists. HBS faculty write about 400 case studies per year.

“Our students are right that protagonist diversity matters,” Jan Rivkin, HBS senior associate dean and chair of the MBA program, said in June . “By studying cases with a wide diversity of protagonists, students learn that talent and leadership come from all backgrounds and identities. If students don’t understand that, they’ll worsen inequities, miss out on opportunities for themselves, and miss chances to create opportunities for others.”

DEBUT AUTHORS EARN TOP SPOTS

ICFAI Business School also had the No. 2 and No. 3 authors, and both are new entrants to the Case Centre’s list.

Second-ranked author Indu Perepu is an assistant professor specializing in human resource management. Her best-selling cases include “Airbnb: A Disruptive Innovator” and “Snapchat Turns Down Facebook’s Acquisition Offer.”

“What makes the case study method even more meaningful is that in developing countries like India where teaching through cases is picking up, case studies help the students with limited international exposure to learn intricately about multinational corporations and the world’s largest companies,” Perepu says.

Third-ranked author Syeda Maseeha Qumer is an assistant professor specializing in business strategy. For her top-selling cases, she looked at the integrated marketing strategy of HBO’s Game of Thrones and the impact of conflict palm oil on deforestation, human rights violations, and climate pollution, and PepsiCo’s use of it in its products.

“Case-based learning is unmatched in its ability to engage students and teach essential concepts that are relevant to practicing managers,” Qumer says. “Innovation in the case method is essential to enliven any classroom and to obtain better learning outcomes. I have always endeavored to develop diverse cases on contemporary issues that offer students an opportunity to explore complex real-world management challenges in the classroom, allowing them to assess their decision-making skills before taking the plunge into the corporate world.”

France’s ESSEC Business School had the top climbing author, Ashok Som , who moved up 26 places to No. 11 from last year’s ranking.

See the full list of this year’s case-writing winners on page 2, including links to their bios.

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

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What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

• Nitin Nohria

Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

• Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Jr. and Distinguished Service University Professor. He served as the 10th dean of Harvard Business School, from 2010 to 2020.

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20 Best Business Case Studies That Every MBA Student Must Know!

Table of content: 

Marvel entertainment - a remarkable turnaround, tesla's successful transition to sustainable business practices.

• Toyota's JIT Revolution

Tata Nano - Making of the People's Car

Ola versus uber: the survival war, patanjali - ayurvedic brand disrupting the indian fmcg industry, pepsi's crisis management and innovative strategies.

• Vodafone Idea Merger 

Titan’s Leap into Online Business

• Impact of Blockchain Technology on Traditional Industries 

Unacademy: A Case Study on Digital Transformation in Education

• Impact of Technology on Healthcare Delivery and Patient Outcomes

Case Studies For Further Reading

Summing up....

MBA Case studies are an inseparable part of business schools curriculum . It is the accumulated real-life experiences developed into a study method that help students to understand real business situations . Case studies supplemented with class discussions develop critical thinking faculties which help in building a better strategy and approaching an issue. Here are the top 20 MBA case studies that every management student should be acquainted with. Let’s get started.

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Marvel Entertainment, a renowned American entertainment company, faced near-collapse in the late 1990s due to financial difficulties and mismanagement. The company's missteps in diversifying into various non-core businesses, such as trading cards and toys, further exacerbated their financial woes. As a result, Marvel was on the brink of bankruptcy, with its stock price plummeting and its brand losing its appeal among consumers.

Strategic Restructuring : To address the dire situation, Marvel implemented a comprehensive restructuring plan. Firstly, they focused on their core business of publishing comic books and decided to divest non-core assets, including their toy division. This allowed them to streamline operations and reduce costs significantly. Additionally, Marvel renegotiated licensing agreements to regain control over their intellectual property rights, which had previously been licensed out to other companies.

Revitalizing the Brand : Marvel recognized the need to revitalize their brand and reconnect with their target audience. They embarked on a strategy of creating compelling storylines and introducing new characters that resonated with readers. This approach led to the launch of successful comic book series such as 'Ultimate Spider-Man' and 'The Avengers', which helped reignite interest in Marvel's characters and stories.

Expanding into Film and Television : One of the pivotal factors in Marvel's turnaround was their foray into the film and television industry. Recognizing the potential of their vast library of characters, Marvel formed its own film production studio, Marvel Studios. Overall, Marvel's expansion into film and television played a crucial role in their remarkable turnaround . By creating a shared cinematic universe and exploring different storytelling mediums, Marvel was able to captivate audiences and establish themselves as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

Marvel Studios revolutionized the way superhero movies were made by creating a shared cinematic universe. Their success not only revitalized the company but also paved the way for other studios to follow suit and create their own interconnected universes.

Tesla, founded in 2003 by Elon Musk, has emerged as a prominent player in the automotive industry through its successful transition to sustainable business practices. This case study examines how Tesla has effectively implemented sustainable strategies, positioning itself as a leader in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy solutions. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable alternatives , Tesla set out to revolutionize the transportation sector by focusing on electric mobility.

Transition to Electric Vehicles : Tesla's transition to sustainable business practices began with the launch of its first electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster, in 2008. This groundbreaking model showcased the potential of EVs, offering high performance and zero tailpipe emissions . By leveraging advanced battery technology and innovative design, Tesla successfully addressed the limitations of early EVs, such as limited range and high costs.

Investment in Research and Development : To further solidify its position as a leader in sustainable transportation, Tesla heavily invested in research and development (R&D). The company continuously improved its battery technology, resulting in increased energy density and longer driving ranges for its vehicles. Additionally, Tesla focused on enhancing charging infrastructure by deploying Supercharger stations globally, enabling convenient long-distance travel for EV owners.

Vertical Integration and Supply Chain Sustainability : Tesla's commitment to sustainability extended beyond its products. The company embraced vertical integration by establishing its Gigafactories, which produce batteries and electric drivetrains in-house. This approach not only ensured quality control but also reduced reliance on external suppliers, thereby minimizing environmental impacts associated with transportation and logistics.

Renewable Energy Solutions : Recognizing the interconnectedness of transportation and energy systems, Tesla expanded its focus to renewable energy solutions. In 2016, the company acquired SolarCity, a leading solar energy provider. Tesla's acquisition of SolarCity in 2016 marked a significant step towards the company's successful transition to sustainable business practices. This strategic move allowed Tesla to offer integrated solar and energy storage solutions, further solidifying its position as a leader in the sustainable energy sector.

Tesla's successful transition to sustainable business practices can be attributed to its focus on renewable energy solutions. The acquisition of SolarCity allowed Tesla to offer integrated solar and energy storage solutions, helping it become a strong player in the E-vehicle market . 

Toyota's JIT revolution

Toyota's Just-in-Time (JIT) revolution is a remarkable case study that revolutionized the manufacturing industry. This MBA case study will delve into the key elements of Toyota's JIT system, its implementation, and the impact it had on the company's success.

Toyota faced significant challenges in the 1950s, including limited resources and fierce competition. To overcome these obstacles, the company adopted the JIT philosophy , aiming to eliminate waste, reduce inventory, and enhance efficiency.

Implementation : Toyota's JIT system focused on reducing inventory levels by establishing a pull-based production system. This involved producing only what was needed, when it was needed, and in the required quantity. The company collaborated closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of parts, reducing the need for excess inventory.

Impact : The implementation of JIT revolutionized Toyota's operations. It enabled the company to reduce lead times, improve quality control, and increase overall productivity . By eliminating waste and optimizing production processes, Toyota achieved cost savings and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Lessons Learned : Toyota's JIT revolution offers valuable lessons for MBA students and business professionals. It highlights the importance of lean manufacturing principles , effective supply chain management, and continuous improvement. The case study demonstrates how a strategic focus on efficiency and waste reduction can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage.

The Tata Nano, also known as 'The People's Car', was launched by the Indian automaker Tata Motors in 2009. It was envisioned as an affordable and compact vehicle that would provide mobility to the masses in India. However, despite its initial hype and expectations, the Tata Nano faced numerous challenges and setbacks, making it an interesting case study for MBA students.

Tata Motors, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, aimed to create a car that would revolutionize the Indian automobile market. The Nano was designed to be the world's cheapest car , priced at around USD 2500. It was positioned as a safer and more comfortable alternative to motorcycles and three-wheelers, which were the primary means of transportation for many Indian families.

Marketing Strategy : Tata Motors adopted an innovative marketing strategy to promote the Nano. They focused on creating awareness and generating interest through various channels , including online campaigns, roadshows, and tie-ups with microfinance institutions. The company aimed to tap into the aspirations of the lower-middle-class segment and create a strong emotional connection with potential buyers.

Challenges and Setbacks : Despite its initial success in generating buzz and attracting bookings, the Tata Nano faced several challenges that hindered Nano's manufacturing process, growth, and market penetration. Some of the key challenges were safety concerns, production issues, competition , etc.

Overcoming Challenges : Tata overcame the challenges through a combination of cost-cutting measures, efficient supply chain management (vendor parks, reducing logistics costs), strategic decision-making regarding plant location, marketing efforts to change perceptions, and addressing safety concerns. The company addressed the safety concerns by making design modifications, conducting extensive safety tests, and meeting safety regulations. Tata invested in safety features and communicated these measures to the public to build confidence in the Nano's safety. Thus, despite facing obstacles, Nano demonstrated the importance of adaptability and innovation in bringing an affordable and innovative product to market.

Ola , founded in 2010, was the first ride-hailing platform in India and quickly gained popularity due to its affordable pricing and extensive network. Uber , a global giant, entered the Indian market in 2013, bringing its technology-driven approach and strong brand recognition . The entry of Uber presented a significant challenge to Ola's dominance, leading to intense competition between the two players.

Strategies : Both Ola and Uber have employed various strategies to gain a competitive edge in the Indian market. Ola focused on building a strong network of drivers by offering attractive incentives and benefits. They also invested heavily in marketing and promotions to establish themselves as the preferred choice for customers.

On the other hand, Uber leveraged its global presence and technological expertise to provide a seamless user experience. They introduced innovative features like upfront pricing, cashless payments, and in-app navigation to differentiate themselves from Ola.

Pricing Models : Pricing has been a crucial aspect of the competition between Ola and Uber. Ola initially adopted a dynamic pricing model , where fares fluctuated based on demand and supply . This approach allowed Ola to maximize revenue during peak hours but also led to customer dissatisfaction due to surge pricing.

In contrast, Uber introduced upfront pricing , providing customers with transparency and certainty regarding fares. This pricing model appealed to customers and helped Uber gain a competitive advantage.

Regulatory Challenges : Operating in India's ride-hailing market posed significant regulatory challenges for both Ola and Uber. The government introduced various regulations to ensure passenger safety, driver welfare, and fair competition. Ola and Uber had to comply with these regulations, including obtaining licenses.

Lessons : OLA and Uber engaged in fierce competition in the Indian market, with OLA gaining an early lead due to localization efforts and strategic partnerships. Despite Uber's global presence, OLA's focused approach and understanding of local dynamics allowed it to maintain a strong brand presence in the competitive Indian ride-hailing sector. Having said this, Uber brought innovation and a seamless user experience to India's ride-hailing sector . Its international appeal and technological prowess challenged OLA, fostering healthy competition and pushing both companies to enhance their services for Indian consumers.

Patanjali, an Indian brand established in 2006 by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, has rapidly emerged as a major player in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. With its focus on Ayurvedic and natural products, Patanjali has disrupted the market dominated by multinational giants.

Branding and Marketing Strategy : Patanjali's success can be attributed to its effective branding and marketing strategies. The brand positioned itself as a 'swadeshi' (indigenous) alternative to multinational brands, appealing to the patriotic sentiments of Indian consumers. Patanjali's advertisements featuring Baba Ramdev and its focus on natural ingredients resonated with health-conscious consumers.

Disruptive Pricing : Patanjali disrupted the FMCG market by offering quality products at competitive prices. By eliminating middlemen and focusing on cost-effective production methods , the brand was able to provide affordable alternatives to consumers.

With its strong marketing strategies and disruptive pricing , Patanjali rapidly expanded outreach, leveraging Baba Ramdev's vast network of yoga centers and retail outlets. The brand also adopted an aggressive distribution strategy by partnering with modern retail chains and e-commerce platforms, ensuring its products were easily accessible to consumers across India and thus becoming a trusted name in the market.

In 1993, PepsiCo faced a major crisis when reports emerged of consumers finding syringes and needles in cans of Diet Pepsi. This incident, known as the ‘Pepsi syringe scare’ , caused widespread panic and led to a decline in consumer trust and sales. The crisis posed a significant challenge for PepsiCo, requiring swift action and innovative strategies to regain consumer confidence.

Rapid Response : Recognizing the urgency of the situation, PepsiCo swiftly responded to the crisis by launching a comprehensive investigation into the reported incidents. The company collaborated with law enforcement agencies, medical experts, and suppliers to identify the source of contamination and implement immediate corrective measures.

Transparent Communication : To rebuild trust with consumers, PepsiCo prioritized transparent communication throughout the crisis. The company provided regular updates on the investigation's progress , ensuring that accurate information was disseminated to the public. By being open and honest, PepsiCo aimed to dispel rumors and restore confidence in its products.

Collaboration with Stakeholders : PepsiCo actively engaged with various stakeholders , including government agencies, industry experts, and consumer advocacy groups. The company sought their input and collaborated on developing enhanced safety measures and quality control protocols. This collaborative approach helped PepsiCo demonstrate its commitment to consumer safety and regain credibility.

Product Innovation : As part of its crisis management strategy, PepsiCo introduced innovative packaging solutions to address consumer concerns about product tampering. The company developed tamper-evident seals and redesigned its cans to incorporate additional protective layers. These innovations reassured consumers that PepsiCo was taking proactive steps to prevent future incidents.

Marketing Campaigns : Pepsi's crisis management strategies were not limited to addressing the immediate concerns surrounding the syringe scare. The company also focused on long-term initiatives to rebuild its reputation and strengthen its position in the market.

Throughout the crisis and beyond, Pepsi remained committed to continuous improvement. The company implemented rigorous quality control measures, enhanced safety protocols, and invested in advanced technology to prevent future incidents.

Vodafone Idea Merger - Game-Changing Move Towards Significant Growth

The Vodafone Idea merger, which took place in 2018, is a remarkable example of an unexpected merger that led to significant growth for both companies involved. This case study will analyze the success factors behind this merger and shed light on the strategic decisions that contributed to its success.

Strategic Rationale : The merger between Vodafone and Idea was driven by several key factors. Firstly, it allowed both companies to c ombine their resources, infrastructure, and customer base , resulting in a stronger market position. By pooling their assets and expertise, they could leverage economies of scale and enhance operational efficiency. Furthermore, the merger enabled Vodafone and Idea to create a robust network infrastructure capable of handling the increasing demand for data services.

Synergies and Integration : The successful integration of Vodafone and Idea was a critical factor in achieving significant growth. The companies focused on capturing synergies by aligning their operations, combining their technology platforms, and streamlining their processes. This integration allowed them to optimize costs, eliminate duplications, and enhance overall efficiency.

Lessons : The merger between Vodafone and Idea showcased the importance of leveraging the complementary strengths of both companies. The merger also highlighted the potential for synergy creation. By bringing together the resources, capabilities, and market presence of both companies, Vodafone Idea Limited was able to achieve cost savings, improve operational efficiency, and enhance its overall competitiveness. In 2018, Vodafone Idea unveiled its brand new identity ‘Vi’ which marked the completion of the integration of the 2 companies.

Titan Company Limited, a renowned Indian consumer goods company, has been a market leader in the watch industry for several decades. However, with the advent of e-commerce and changing consumer preferences, the company recognized the need to transform its business model and embrace the online marketplace. This case study explores Titan's successful journey towards becoming an online enterprise and highlights the strategic initiatives that propelled its growth in the digital space.

Strategic Shift : Founded in 1984 as a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, Titan initially focused on manufacturing and selling watches. Recognizing the potential of online retail, Titan embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. The company invested heavily in technology infrastructure and talent acquisition to build a robust e-commerce platform that offered a seamless shopping experience to its customers. Additionally, Titan forged strategic partnerships with leading e-commerce players, enabling it to leverage their vast customer base and reach.

Product Innovation : One of the key drivers of Titan's success in the online space was its focus on product innovation. The company introduced a wide range of trendy and affordable watches, jewelry, and eyewear specifically designed to cater to the preferences of online shoppers. By leveraging data analytics and consumer insights, Titan was able to identify emerging trends and develop products that resonated with its target audience.

Digital Marketing : To create brand awareness and drive traffic to its online platform, Titan adopted a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. The company utilized social media channels, search engine optimization techniques, and influencer marketing campaigns to engage with its target audience effectively. Titan also implemented various strategies to enhance the user experience on its online platform.

Loyalty Program : To encourage repeat purchases, Titan introduced a loyalty program for its online customers. This program offered exclusive discounts, rewards, and personalized recommendations based on each customer's preferences and purchase history. By incentivizing customer loyalty, Titan was able to build a strong base of repeat buyers and increase customer lifetime value.

Overall, Titan's leap into the online business was a resounding success. Through strategic digital marketing, enhanced user experience, a loyalty program, efficient operations, and a diverse product range, the company was able to establish itself as a prominent player in the e-commerce industry.

I mpact of Blockchain Technology on Traditional Industries (Finance & Supply Chain Management)

Blockchain technology, initially introduced as the underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, has evolved into a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize traditional industries.

Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt the financial industry by offering secure and transparent transactions without the need for intermediaries. The case study examines how blockchain can streamline payment processes, reduce transaction costs, and enhance financial inclusion.

Ripple is a prime example of how blockchain technology has streamlined the payment process in the financial industry. Ripple's blockchain-based payment protocol allows for fast, secure, and low-cost cross-border transactions.

Traditionally, international payments can take several days to complete and involve multiple intermediaries, resulting in high transaction fees. However, Ripple's technology enables near-instantaneous settlement and eliminates the need for intermediarie s, significantly reducing both the time and cost associated with cross-border payments. This has immense implications for businesses and individuals who rely on international transactions, as it allows for faster, more efficient, and cost-effective transfers of funds.

Supply Chain Management

The adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management can enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency across the entire value chain. This case study investigates how blockchain can mitigate issues such as counterfeiting, fraud, and supply chain disruptions.

One example of how blockchain technology has benefited traditional industries is in the case of Maersk. Maersk , a global shipping company, has successfully implemented blockchain technology in its supply chain management processes.

With the use of blockchain, Maersk is able to ensure the authenticity of its products throughout the supply chain. By recording every transaction and movement of goods on the blockchain, the company can verify the origin and history of each product, making it difficult for counterfeit products to enter the market. This not only protects consumers from purchasing fake goods but also safeguards the reputation of Maersk as a trusted brand.

Furthermore, blockchain technology has enabled Maersk to optimize its inventory management . By having real-time visibility of inventory levels and movements, the company can accurately track and manage its stock, reducing the risk of overstocking or understocking.

In terms of logistics, blockchain has provided Maersk with enhanced transparency and traceability . Through the use of smart contracts and digital records on the blockchain, the company can easily track the movement of goods from one location to another.

Overall, Maersk's adoption of blockchain technology has brought significant benefits to the company in terms of ensuring product authenticity, optimizing inventory management, and improving logistics.

Unacademy was founded in 2015 by Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and Hemesh Singh as a YouTube channel providing free educational content. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive online learning platform offering courses for various competitive exams in India, such as UPSC, SSC, and banking. Unacademy's mission is to make quality education accessible to all by leveraging technology and empowering educators.

Digital Transformation Initiatives : Unacademy's digital transformation initiatives have played a pivotal role in reshaping the education landscape in India. The company has embraced innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics, to enhance the learning experience for students.

Personalized Learning : Unacademy's platform utilizes AI and ML algorithms to personalize the learning journey for each student. By analyzing user behavior and performance data, the platform recommends relevant courses and study material tailored to individual needs. This personalized approach has significantly improved student engagement and outcomes.

Live Classes and Interactive Sessions : Unacademy offers live classes conducted by experienced educators, allowing students to interact with them in real-time. These interactive sessions foster active learning, enabling students to clarify doubts, participate in discussions, and receive personalized guidance. The use of technology has made education more engaging and accessible.

Gamification and Competition : Unacademy gamifies the learning experience by incorporating quizzes, challenges, and leaderboards. This gamification strategy motivates students to actively participate, compete with peers, and earn rewards, making the learning process enjoyable and immersive. The use of technology has transformed education into a fun and competitive endeavor.

In conclusion, by providing accessible and affordable online learning resources, Unacademy has democratized education and empowered millions of learners. Their success showcases the immense potential of technology to bridge educational gaps and transform traditional learning methods.

Analyzing the Impact of Technology on Healthcare Delivery and Patient Outcomes

In recent years, the healthcare industry has witnessed a significant transformation due to the rapid advancements in technology. From electronic health records (EHRs) to telemedicine, these technological innovations have had a profound impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This case study aims to analyze the various ways in which technology has revolutionized healthcare, exploring its benefits, challenges, and future implications.

Integration of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) : One of the most notable advancements in healthcare technology is the widespread adoption of electronic health records. EHRs have streamlined the documentation process, enabling healthcare providers to access patient information easily and securely. This has led to improved care coordination, reduced medical errors, and enhanced patient safety.

Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring : The advent of telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery, particularly in remote or underserved areas. Telemedicine allows patients to consult with healthcare providers virtually, eliminating the need for physical visits. This not only improves access to care but also reduces healthcare costs and enhances patient convenience . Moreover, remote patient monitoring technologies enable healthcare professionals to remotely monitor patients' vital signs and health conditions, leading to early detection of potential issues and proactive intervention.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning : The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms has significantly impacted healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of medical data, assisting in accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and predicting patient outcomes. Machine learning algorithms can identify patterns in patient data, enabling personalized treatment plans and early detection of diseases.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Wearable Devices : The key benefit of IoT and wearable devices in healthcare is the ability to collect real-time data. These devices can continuously monitor various health parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. This data can be transmitted wirelessly to healthcare providers, allowing them to closely monitor patients' conditions remotely. By having access to real-time data, healthcare professionals can detect any abnormalities or changes in patients' health status promptly and take necessary actions, potentially preventing complications or emergencies.

In conclusion, technology has had a significant impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. It has improved efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of healthcare services. From electronic health records to telemedicine, technology has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered, leading to better patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality.

If you enjoyed reading the above MBA case studies, here are some more tales that you might love to explore:

Enron Scandal

The Enron scandal was one of the biggest corporate frauds in history. It involved the manipulation of financial statements to hide debt and inflate profits, leading to the bankruptcy of the energy company in 2001. The scandal exposed the unethical practices of Enron executives and led to increased scrutiny of corporate governance.

Starbucks crowdsourcing success story

This is an excellent case taught in IT focusing on the impact that an effective social media strategy can have on a company. Starbucks created a crowdsourcing platform called 'My Starbucks Idea' in the March of 2008 with the aim to engage with its customers. The objective was to let the customers create products and services for the company. They can go to the platform and share their idea. The idea if viable will be implemented by Starbucks. In this way, the company can get data about customer preferences and leverage it to refine itself.

3M Corporation HR Policy

3M Corporation's HR policy is a case study in employee empowerment and innovation. With a focus on autonomy and creativity, 3M encourages the 15% Rule , allowing employees to spend a significant portion of their time on personal projects, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the organization.There are many other philosophies as well like the 30 percent rule, Dual Ladder career path, Seed capital, etc, that are keeping the employees motivated and making the company earn good profits.

Adhaar Number Implementation (2009)

Launched in 2009, Aadhaar is India's innovative identification project. It assigns a unique 12-digit number to residents, streamlining access to services. Despite controversy over privacy, it significantly enhances governance, financial inclusion, and social benefits distribution. The large-scale implementation reflects the evolving landscape of identity management in the digital age.

Air India Turnaround

In 2019, Air India underwent a turnaround initiative to address financial woes and operational inefficiencies. The case study delves into strategic decisions, cost-cutting measures, and attempts to enhance operational efficiency. It portrays the challenges faced by the airline industry and the complex journey of revitalizing a national carrier in a competitive market.

Flipkart-Walmart Deal (2018)

The Flipkart-Walmart Deal refers to Walmart's acquisition of Flipkart, a leading e-commerce company in India, in 2018. This deal marked Walmart's entry into the Indian e-commerce market and showcased the growing importance of global business collaborations in the country's rapidly expanding digital economy.

Microsoft's Acquisition of LinkedIn

Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 was a significant move that brought together two major players in the tech industry. The USD 26.2 billion deal allowed Microsoft to tap into LinkedIn's vast professional network and data, while LinkedIn gained access to Microsoft's resources and technology. This acquisition aimed to enhance Microsoft's presence in the business and professional networking space.

Indian IT Indsusty’s Response to Great Resignation

From activating the Non-Compete Clause to employee benefits, study how Indian IT firms navigated through the Great Resignation phase. The case study also highlights the indispensable role of HR department in dealing with such scenarios.

Through these actual business situations, we learn a plethora of things such as brand management , business administration, acquisition strategy, etc. without bearing any actual risks and potential losses as in real life. This facilitates quick thinking and gives students good knowledge about what a challenging experience can be.

You might also be interested in reading:

• How Is CRED Becoming The New “Marketing ka Gunda”?
• MBA curriculum overhaul needed to ensure employability, say academicians
• How Upstox's Magical Marketing Strategy Earned It A Spot As One Of The IPL 2021's Lead Sponsors?
• Australia's Richest Woman Who Owns $40 Billion Company Once Sold Scarves| Melanie Perkins, Co-founder, Canva Shares Entrepreneurship Lessons
• The Inspirational Story of Balvant Parekh | The Man Behind Building an INR 7000+ Crore Empire

I am a biotechnologist-turned-content writer and try to add an element of science in my writings wherever possible. Apart from writing, I like to cook, read and travel.

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MBA Case Studies - Solved Examples

Need of MBA Case Studies

Case i: chemco case.

• ChemCo is a quality leader in the U.K. car batteries market.
• Customer battery purchases in the automobile market are highly seasonal.
• The fork-lift business was added to utilize idle capacity during periods of inactivity.
• This is a low-growth industry (1% annual growth over the last two years)
• Large customers are sophisticated and buy based on price and quality. Smaller customers buy solely on price.
• There is a Spanish competitor in the market who offers low priced batteries of inferior quality.

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• Established player in car batteries
• Losing heavily in fork-lift truck batteries
• Old fashioned owner resistance to change
• Low priced competitors
• Foreign competitors gaining market share
• Decisive Interview, GD & Essay prep
• GD: Topics 2021
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• Solved Case Studies
• High quality product, but low end customers care more about price than quality
• Mismanaged product diversification in a price sensitive market
• Alternative 1: Establish an Off-Brand for the fork-lift business
• Alternative 2: Educate the customer market about product quality
• Alternative 3: Exit the fork-lift battery business
• Establishing the firm's quality image
• Increase in market share
• Increase in sales
• Cost of the product
• Protect firm's quality image in the automobile industry
• Redesigned product to reduce the cost of manufacture
• Low price to enable it to compete with Spanish producer
• Make use of the quality leadership in car batteries market
• Offer reliability testing, extended warranties etc. to promote quality image
• Set higher prices to extract surplus from these advantages
• A passive strategy, not proactive
• Recommendations: Alternative 1 is recommended in this case. Since the firm operates in an industry which has low growth, hence it can expand market share and sales only by taking the customers from other players. Hence, it needs to tackle the Spanish competitor head-on by aggressively pricing its product. At the same time, launching a low-priced product under the same brand name erodes the high quality image in the car batteries market. Hence, the best option is to go for an off-brand to target the fork-lift customers who are increasingly becoming price sensitive. This will enable the company to ward off the threat in short-term and build its position strongly in the long-term.

Case II: NAKAMURA LACQUER COMPANY

• The Nakamura Lacquer Company: The Nakamura Lacquer Company based in Kyoto, Japan was one of the many small handicraft shops making lacquerware for the daily table use of the Japanese people.
• Mr. Nakamura- the personality: In 1948, a young Mr. Nakamura took over his family business. He saw an opportunity to cater to a new market of America, i.e. GI's of the Occupation Army who had begun to buy lacquer ware as souvenirs. However, he realized that the traditional handicraft methods were inadequate. He was an innovator and introduced simple methods of processing and inspection using machines. Four years later, when the Occupation Army left in 1952, Nakamura employed several thousand men, and produced 500,000 pieces of lacquers tableware each year for the Japanese mass consumer market. The profit from operations was $250,000.
• The Brand: Nakamura named his brand “Chrysanthemum” after the national flower of Japan, which showed his patriotic fervor. The brand became Japan's best known and best selling brand, being synonymous with good quality, middle class and dependability.
• The Market: The market for lacquerware in Japan seems to have matured, with the production steady at 500,000 pieces a year. Nakamura did practically no business outside of Japan. However, early in 1960, when the American interest in Japanese products began to grow, Nakamura received two offers
• The Rose and Crown offer: The first offer was from Mr. Phil Rose, V.P Marketing at the National China Company. They were the largest manufacturer of good quality dinnerware in the U.S., with their “Rose and Crown” brand accounting for almost 30% of total sales. They were willing to give a firm order for three eyes for annual purchases of 400,000 sets of lacquer dinnerware, delivered in Japan and at 5% more than what the Japanese jobbers paid. However, Nakamura would have to forego the Chrysanthemum trademark to “Rose and Crown” and also undertaken to sell lacquer ware to anyone else the U.S. The offer promised returns of $720,000 over three years (with net returns of $83,000), but with little potential for the U.S. market on the Chrysanthemum brand beyond that period.
• The Semmelback offer: The second offer was from Mr. Walter Sammelback of Sammelback, Sammelback and Whittacker, Chicago, the largest supplier of hotel and restaurant supplies in the U.S. They perceived a U.S. market of 600,000 sets a year, expecting it to go up to 2 million in around 5 years. Since the Japanese government did not allow overseas investment, Sammelback was willing to budget $1.5 million. Although the offer implied negative returns of $467,000 over the first five years, the offer had the potential to give a $1 million profit if sales picked up as anticipated.
• Meeting the order: To meet the numbers requirement of the orders, Nakamura would either have to expand capacity or cut down on the domestic market. If he chose to expand capacity, the danger was of idle capacity in case the U.S. market did not respond. If he cut down on the domestic market, the danger was of losing out on a well-established market. Nakamura could also source part of the supply from other vendors. However, this option would not find favor with either of the American buyers since they had approached only Nakamura, realizing that he was the best person to meet the order.
• Decision problem: Whether to accept any of the two offers and if yes, which one of the two and under what terms of conditions?
• To expand into the U.S. market.
• To maintain and build upon their reputation of the “Chrysanthemum” brand
• To increase profit volumes by tapping the U.S. market and as a result, increasing scale of operations.
• To increase its share in the U.S. lacquerware market.
• Profit Maximization criterion: The most important criterion in the long run is profit maximization.
• Risk criterion: Since the demand in the U.S. market is not as much as in Japan.
• Brand identity criterion: Nakamura has painstakingly built up a brand name in Japan. It is desirable for him to compete in the U.S. market under the same brand name
• Flexibility criterion: The chosen option should offer Nakamura flexibility in maneuvering the terms and conditions to his advantage. Additionally, Nakamura should have bargaining power at the time of renewal of the contract.
• Short term returns: Nakamura should receive some returns on the investment he makes on the new offers. However, this criterion may be compromised in favor of profit maximization in the long run.?
• Reject both: React both the offers and concentrate on the domestic market
• Accept RC offer: Accept the Rose and Crown offer and supply the offer by cutting down on supplies to the domestic market or through capacity expansion or both
• Accept SSW: offer; accept the SSW offer and meet it through cutting down on supply to the domestic market or through capacity expansion or both. Negotiate term of supply.
• Reject both: This option would not meet the primary criterion of profit maximization. Further, the objective of growth would also not be met. Hence, this option is rejected.
• Accept RC offer: The RC offer would assure net returns of $283,000 over the next three yeas. It also assures regular returns of $240,000 per year. However, Nakamura would have no presence in the U.S. with its Chrysanthemum brand name The RC offer would entail capacity expansion, as it would not be possible to siphon of 275,000 pieces from the domestic market over three years without adversely affecting operations there. At the end of three years, Nakamura would have little bargaining power with RC as it would have an excess capacity of 275,000 pieces and excess labor which it would want to utilize. In this sense the offer is risky. Further, the offer is not flexible. Long-term profit maximization is uncertain in this case a condition that can be controlled in the SSW offer. Hence, this offer is rejected.
• Accept SSW offer: The SSW offer does not assure a firm order or any returns for the period of contract. Although, in its present form the offer is risky if the market in the U.S. does not pick up as expected, the offer is flexible. If Nakamura were to exhibit caution initially by supplying only 300,000 instead of the anticipated 600,000 pieces, it could siphon off the 175,000 required from the domestic market. If demand exists in the U.S., the capacity can be expanded. With this offer, risk is minimized. Further, it would be competing on its own brand name. Distribution would be taken care of and long-term profit maximization criterion would be satisfied as this option has the potential of $1 million in profits per year. At the time of renewal of the contract, Nakamura would have immense bargaining power.
• Negotiate terms of offer with SSW: The terms would be that NLC would supply 300,000 pieces in the first year. If market demand exists, NLC should expand capacity to provide the expected demand.
• Action Plan: In the first phase, NLC would supply SSW with 300,000 pieces. 125,000 of these would be obtained by utilizing excess capacity, while the remaining would be obtained from the domestic market. If the expected demand for lacquer ware exists in the U.S., NLC would expand capacity to meet the expected demand. The debt incurred would be paid off by the fifth year.
• Contingency Plan:  In case the demand is not as expected in the first year, NLC should not service the U.S. market and instead concentrate on increasing penetration in the domestic market.

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Top Case Studies That Every MBA Student Ought To Know.

Business courses would be incomplete without the mandatory case study component. In order to prepare pupils for success in the business world, educators have synthesised lessons learned from actual circumstances. Discussions in class on assigned case studies are a great way to hone students’ critical thinking skills, which in turn may lead to more effective problem solving. Every management student should be familiar with these top real-world company situations on employee performance and retention, supply chain management, growth and investment, etc.

1. Workplace Drug Abuse 

Amber, the administrative assistant, got off to a good start, but then she started acting in more strange and contradictory ways. Her productivity was excellent, but she began missing work and calling out ill with alarming regularity just around the time she was due to be paid. She began taking out loans from people and not paying them back. A short time afterwards, she started becoming irritable while speaking to customers over the phone. She was busted for smelling what turned out to be cocaine powder.

When she was challenged, she ceased showing up to work, and it took a while for a replacement to be located. Industry experts believe the company’s actions were inappropriate, including taking too long to dismiss Amber and focusing on claims than than investigating behaviour directly related to work, such as tardiness and rudeness to customers. They also point out that Amber should have been given a drug test before being held accountable for cocaine use, which would have provided an opportunity for rehabilitation and employee faith rather than a severed bond.

2. Malden Mills Case

As an example, Malden Mills learned firsthand that weighing the costs and advantages of several options may help determine which is the best course of action to take. When the factory burned down in 1995, just two weeks before Christmas, all production ceased and workers feared they wouldn’t have jobs until the processing plant was rebuilt. However, CEO Aaron Feuerstein granted the workers an additional 90 days of full salary and 180 days with benefits, costing Malden Mills $25 million.

Collaboration and profitability reached a new peak once the processing facility was upgraded and the majority of relocated experts were rehired, resulting in 40% more business and 95% client and representative retention. From the first week on, production increased from 130,000 to 200,000 yards. However, since then, Malden Mills has been forced into liquidation court three times, with most of the debt stemming from the need to rebuild the factory. No doubt Feuerstein brightened the spirits of his employees, but management students should look into this example to see whether they agree that exemplary acts of charity never fail to please.

3. Starbucks and Exclusivity

Back in 2008, Starbucks said they were going to shut down 600 shops in the United States. Up until that time, Starbucks outlets had new additions like wi-fi and music, but the brand was starting to lose its cosy “neighbourhood store” vibe in favour of a more impersonal “chain store” image. Harvard Business Review notes that “Starbucks is a mass brand attempting to charge an exceptional price for an encounter that is not any more remarkable” Thus, in order to remain competitive, Starbucks would have to either reduce expenses in light of the fact that its consumers are price-conscious or reduce the number of outlets in order to restore the selectiveness of its brand image.

According to HBR’s analysis of the company’s environment, the company has three challenges: alienating its early adopters, attracting too many customers, and developing too slowly in terms of new locations and products. Harvard recommends that Starbucks should have stayed under wraps, growing at a measured pace to preserve its exclusive reputation.

4. Smaller Business and Bigger Profits

For a select few, the allure of big business is undeniable. But there’s plenty to be said for a standalone business, too, what with lowering risk and opening up room for creativity. Big D Custom Screen Printing owner Darren Robbins of Austin, TX found success by catering to customers with varying order sizes. Big D initially served just large orders, but it sat empty until another such request came along. The store was able to make up for slow periods by filling in with smaller orders, thanks to convenient booking and upfront pricing. In a niche that wasn’t being aggressively pursued by other local screen printers, Big D saw an opportunity.

Experts agree that Big D came up with a fantastic strategy by using this way to disperse their company risk and provide new, customised products. However, at least one criticises the product, pointing out that the niche has little to no upside potential and might actually reduce output for the business.

5. The Right Successor

The loss of knowledge and expertise is another serious problem that arises with retirement. When workers retire, they take their accumulated skills and knowledge with them. American Express, however, implemented a trial programme to keep this. AMEX formed a workforce transformation team to help with the transition from retiring staff. In exchange, they’d be expected to devote a portion of their time to training and guiding the next generation of leaders. As a consequence, retirees may now depart gradually, taking their time while continuing to collect a portion of their pre-retirement pay and perks. As a result, several workers remained a full year beyond their normal retirement age.

AMEX thinks this programme is working because it’s enabling retirees to enjoy their last few years in the workforce at a reduced capacity while also providing the current workforce with the training they need to succeed in the future.

6. Retirement Revolution Study 

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5 Benefits of Learning Through the Case Study Method

• 28 Nov 2023

While several factors make HBS Online unique —including a global Community and real-world outcomes —active learning through the case study method rises to the top.

In a 2023 City Square Associates survey, 74 percent of HBS Online learners who also took a course from another provider said HBS Online’s case method and real-world examples were better by comparison.

Here’s a primer on the case method, five benefits you could gain, and how to experience it for yourself.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is the Harvard Business School Case Study Method?

The case study method , or case method , is a learning technique in which you’re presented with a real-world business challenge and asked how you’d solve it. After working through it yourself and with peers, you’re told how the scenario played out.

HBS pioneered the case method in 1922. Shortly before, in 1921, the first case was written.

“How do you go into an ambiguous situation and get to the bottom of it?” says HBS Professor Jan Rivkin, former senior associate dean and chair of HBS's master of business administration (MBA) program, in a video about the case method . “That skill—the skill of figuring out a course of inquiry to choose a course of action—that skill is as relevant today as it was in 1921.”

Originally developed for the in-person MBA classroom, HBS Online adapted the case method into an engaging, interactive online learning experience in 2014.

In HBS Online courses , you learn about each case from the business professional who experienced it. After reviewing their videos, you’re prompted to take their perspective and explain how you’d handle their situation.

You then get to read peers’ responses, “star” them, and comment to further the discussion. Afterward, you learn how the professional handled it and their key takeaways.

HBS Online’s adaptation of the case method incorporates the famed HBS “cold call,” in which you’re called on at random to make a decision without time to prepare.

“Learning came to life!” said Sheneka Balogun , chief administration officer and chief of staff at LeMoyne-Owen College, of her experience taking the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program . “The videos from the professors, the interactive cold calls where you were randomly selected to participate, and the case studies that enhanced and often captured the essence of objectives and learning goals were all embedded in each module. This made learning fun, engaging, and student-friendly.”

If you’re considering taking a course that leverages the case study method, here are five benefits you could experience.

5 Benefits of Learning Through Case Studies

1. take new perspectives.

The case method prompts you to consider a scenario from another person’s perspective. To work through the situation and come up with a solution, you must consider their circumstances, limitations, risk tolerance, stakeholders, resources, and potential consequences to assess how to respond.

Taking on new perspectives not only can help you navigate your own challenges but also others’. Putting yourself in someone else’s situation to understand their motivations and needs can go a long way when collaborating with stakeholders.

2. Hone Your Decision-Making Skills

Another skill you can build is the ability to make decisions effectively . The case study method forces you to use limited information to decide how to handle a problem—just like in the real world.

Throughout your career, you’ll need to make difficult decisions with incomplete or imperfect information—and sometimes, you won’t feel qualified to do so. Learning through the case method allows you to practice this skill in a low-stakes environment. When facing a real challenge, you’ll be better prepared to think quickly, collaborate with others, and present and defend your solution.

3. Become More Open-Minded

As you collaborate with peers on responses, it becomes clear that not everyone solves problems the same way. Exposing yourself to various approaches and perspectives can help you become a more open-minded professional.

When you’re part of a diverse group of learners from around the world, your experiences, cultures, and backgrounds contribute to a range of opinions on each case.

On the HBS Online course platform, you’re prompted to view and comment on others’ responses, and discussion is encouraged. This practice of considering others’ perspectives can make you more receptive in your career.

“You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from your peers,” said Ratnaditya Jonnalagadda , a software engineer who took CORe.

In addition to interacting with peers in the course platform, Jonnalagadda was part of the HBS Online Community , where he networked with other professionals and continued discussions sparked by course content.

“You get to understand your peers better, and students share examples of businesses implementing a concept from a module you just learned,” Jonnalagadda said. “It’s a very good way to cement the concepts in one's mind.”

4. Enhance Your Curiosity

One byproduct of taking on different perspectives is that it enables you to picture yourself in various roles, industries, and business functions.

“Each case offers an opportunity for students to see what resonates with them, what excites them, what bores them, which role they could imagine inhabiting in their careers,” says former HBS Dean Nitin Nohria in the Harvard Business Review . “Cases stimulate curiosity about the range of opportunities in the world and the many ways that students can make a difference as leaders.”

Through the case method, you can “try on” roles you may not have considered and feel more prepared to change or advance your career .

5. Build Your Self-Confidence

Finally, learning through the case study method can build your confidence. Each time you assume a business leader’s perspective, aim to solve a new challenge, and express and defend your opinions and decisions to peers, you prepare to do the same in your career.

According to a 2022 City Square Associates survey , 84 percent of HBS Online learners report feeling more confident making business decisions after taking a course.

“Self-confidence is difficult to teach or coach, but the case study method seems to instill it in people,” Nohria says in the Harvard Business Review . “There may well be other ways of learning these meta-skills, such as the repeated experience gained through practice or guidance from a gifted coach. However, under the direction of a masterful teacher, the case method can engage students and help them develop powerful meta-skills like no other form of teaching.”

How to Experience the Case Study Method

If the case method seems like a good fit for your learning style, experience it for yourself by taking an HBS Online course. Offerings span seven subject areas, including:

• Business essentials
• Leadership and management
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Finance and accounting
• Business in society

No matter which course or credential program you choose, you’ll examine case studies from real business professionals, work through their challenges alongside peers, and gain valuable insights to apply to your career.

Are you interested in discovering how HBS Online can help advance your career? Explore our course catalog and download our free guide —complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.

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Solving Case Studies: 8 Step-by-Step Strategies for Management Students

• by Tanu Bhatnagar
• Published: Oct 08, 2023, 09:45 IST
• Updated: Oct 08, 2023, 00:54 IST
• Tanu Bhatnagar
• October 8, 2023

Mastering the Art of Analyzing and Resolving Business Case Studies 

Case study analysis is useful for management students. It’s more than a course—it’s a preview of your future job problems. These real-life examples allow you to apply class ideas and acquire a business-ready problem-solving attitude.

It’s not easy to master case study solving. Strategic thinking, critical thinking, and innovation are needed. This book covers the finest case study solution tactics to help you succeed academically and become a good manager. Solving a management case study is a crucial skill for students pursuing degrees in fields such as MBA, HRM, Finance, and Marketing.

Also, read  10 Proven Memorize Techniques for Students- Friendly Tips

8 Step-by-Step Strategies for Management Students

These case studies offer a practical application of management concepts, requiring students to analyze complex scenarios and devise solutions. In this comprehensive guide, we will outline a step-by-step approach to solving management case studies and provide a real-world example with a solution.

  Step 1: Comprehensive Case Study Analysis

Comprehensive case study analysis is the cornerstone of effective problem-solving. It involves immersing yourself in the case study, not just skimming through it. Start by reading the case thoroughly, absorbing its context, characters, and central problem or objective. It’s crucial to understand the nuances of the situation presented, as even subtle details may significantly impact the solution.

During this phase, consider the following:

• Context : Understand the setting, time frame, and circumstances that led to the current situation.
• Characters : Familiarize yourself with the key individuals involved, their roles, motivations, and potential biases.
• Problem/Objective : Identify the core challenge or goal that the case revolves around.

Step 2: Familiarize with the Industry and Company

Familiarizing yourself with the industry and the specific company involved in the case study is pivotal. This step provides essential context and aids in making informed decisions and recommendations. Here’s how to approach it:

• Industry Analysis : Research the industry’s characteristics, trends, and dynamics. This knowledge helps you understand the broader competitive landscape and market forces at play.
• Company Background : Delve into the company’s history, products or services, market position, financial performance, and strategic priorities. This information helps you align your recommendations with the company’s goals and capabilities.

Step 3: Define the Core Problem/Objective

In this step, your objective is to pinpoint the primary issue or objective that the case study revolves around. By clarifying the problem that needs resolution or the goal that must be achieved, you set the stage for your analysis and decision-making. Consider the following:

• Problem Statement : Summarize the problem in a concise, clear statement. Ensure that your understanding aligns with the essence of the case.
• Objective Clarity : If the case involves an objective, such as expanding market share or improving profitability, define it with precision.

Step 4: Extract Relevant Information

A key aspect of case study analysis is extracting relevant facts and details from the case materials. This process involves revisiting the case study, both to reinforce your understanding and to gather pertinent information. Here’s how to approach it:

• Detailed Examination : Scrutinize the case for data, statistics, anecdotes, and any other information that sheds light on the problem or objective.
• Note-taking : Create a system for recording critical information, whether through written notes or mental models. This will aid in organizing your analysis.

Step 5: Identify Key Statements

Within the case study, there are often statements or pieces of information that hold particular significance. These statements can serve as guideposts during your analysis, helping you define and address the problem more precisely. Consider:

• Problem Clues : Look for statements that hint at the underlying issues or challenges.
• Objective Relevance : Identify statements that directly relate to the stated objective.

Step 6: Assess the External Environment

To make informed recommendations, you must assess the external environment surrounding the case. This step involves considering various factors that can influence the solution, including:

• Market Conditions : Analyze the market’s size, growth rate, trends, and competitive landscape.
• Regulatory Environment : Evaluate the impact of regulations, laws, and government policies on the case.
• Resource Availability : Understand the availability of resources, such as capital, talent, and technology.
• Competitive Forces : Assess the competitive forces at play, including existing rivals, potential entrants, suppliers, and buyers.

Also, read  Top 10 Hobbies That Boost Your IQ: A Guide for Students

Step 7: Address Real-Life Constraints

Recognize that real-life problem-solving often comes with limitations, including incomplete information and time constraints. You should be prepared to make decisions based on the available data and within reasonable time limits. Consider:

• Time Sensitivity : Acknowledge any time pressures that may affect the decision-making process.
• Resource Constraints : Understand the limits of available resources, such as budget, manpower, or technology.

Step 8: Fill Information Gaps with Realistic Assumptions

Information gaps are common in real-world scenarios. To bridge these gaps, make realistic assumptions that align with the context of the case study. Use your judgment and critical thinking to supplement missing details while staying grounded in the case’s reality.

By following these steps diligently, you can approach management case studies methodically and develop well-structured, informed solutions that address the core problem or objective effectively

Problem: XYZ Corporation, a well-established software development firm, is grappling with ongoing employee performance challenges. Several members of its software development team consistently fail to meet project deadlines and produce work below the company’s quality standards.

Problem Question 1: What is the core problem that XYZ Corporation is facing concerning employee performance?

The central issue that XYZ Corporation is confronting concerning employee performance is the persistent underperformance of several software developers within the organization. These individuals consistently fail to meet project deadlines and produce work that falls significantly below the company’s established quality standards. This recurring problem has become a significant impediment to the company’s software development projects.

Problem Question 2: How are the underperforming employees affecting the company’s software development projects and overall business operations?

The underperforming employees in XYZ Corporation are having a substantial negative impact on the company’s software development projects and overall business operations. Their consistent inability to meet project deadlines results in significant delays in project completion, disrupting project schedules and affecting the company’s ability to deliver products and services on time. Furthermore, the compromised quality of their work leads to subpar products, potentially resulting in client dissatisfaction and eroding the company’s reputation. These issues collectively undermine the company’s profitability as it grapples with missed opportunities and the costs associated with addressing substandard work. Addressing this challenge is imperative for XYZ Corporation to ensure its continued success and competitiveness in the software development industry.

. Student Approach to Solve:

• Begin by thoroughly reading the case study to grasp its context, characters, and the central problem or objective.
• Understanding the broader business environment will aid in making informed decisions and recommendations.
• Identify the primary issue or objective in the case.
• Create a mental or written model of the core problem or objective and make note of critical information that informs your understanding.
• Acknowledge that real-life problems often come with incomplete information and time constraints.
• Use your judgment to supplement missing details.

By following these steps and considering the provided answers, students can approach and solve the case study effectively, offering valuable insights and recommendations to address XYZ Corporation’s employee performance challenges.

Finally, the case study solution connects management theory with practice. It helps students analyse difficult circumstances, make educated judgements, and find effective solutions, which employers in numerous sectors value.

The above guide’s techniques can help students succeed in management school and prepare them for job difficulties and possibilities. Accept case studies as learning opportunities, improve your problem-solving abilities, and become a skilled and resourceful manager. The greatest method to learn is through doing, and case study solution leads to real-world success.

Also, read  10 Best Economic Books for Commerce Students

Meet Tanu Bhatnagar, an educational expert with extensive experience in teaching, research and mentoring.With a decade in... (Full bio)

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Famous Case Studies that Every MBA student should be aware of

Case studies provide the finest examples of real-world experience. A case study is an in-depth explanation of a situation that occurs in the context of the actual world. A comprehensive examination of an individual or organization is called a "case study." And in the Master of Business Administration program, there is something called a case study. These case studies are based on real-life business situations and describe the circumstances covered in the MBA course material. The solution to the problem of an in-depth examination of business challenges is an MBA case study. and the inclusion of case studies into the MBA curriculum helps to make the learning experience more meaningful, as does the fact that it is a daily process of learning that makes the MBA a more practical degree. Case studies help students make sense of abstract ideas by putting them in the context of real-world business situations. Here, we'll talk about the most important case studies you need to know if you want to pursue an MBA.

Netflix is an American subscription VOD service owned by Netflix, Inc., which is headquartered in Los Gatos, California. In addition, the day of the company's launch was January 16th, 2007. And the company's start-up days were in the mail-order rental industry. Turning the renting of DVDs through the mail into a streaming platform is a fantastic development for the entertainment business. Netflix has made significant progress. And on top of that, the company is getting better and better every day, and it is now providing incredible bargains to its clients. Netflix has been able to maintain its advantage over its competitors by making strategic investments and incorporating innovative ideas. The company also has a great financial performance and is powered by increasing revenue and the number of subscribers it has. Moreover, the insights offered by this case study are invaluable to MBA learners. bringing attention to entrepreneurship and digital change.

The headquarters of the Starbucks corporation may be found in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses that operates in many countries. Moreover, we are all aware that it is the largest coffeehouse chain in the entire world. Additionally, starbuks was established in the year 1971. And the success of the starbuks can be attributed to a number of important aspects. In the first place, the company places a strong emphasis on the quality of its coffee products and only uses beans of the highest possible grade. and it is constantly attentive to the preferences of the patrons. In addition, this case study analyzes the exceptional success that Starbucks Corporation has had in the international coffee business. in addition, Starbucks does a careful selection of prime locations and shop styles to cater to a variety of markets. Starbucks has been very effective in winning the favor and affection of its customers. Additionally, Starbucks has attained a level of success in the coffee sector that is unmatched. For MBA students looking to gain insights into strategic management and digital transformation, this case study is a wonderful resource that can be found online. Students can acquire useful knowledge and the ability to apply it to real-world business scenarios by studying the success stories provided by Starbucks. This will better prepare them for a wide variety of managerial roles in a variety of industries. 

Samsung  

The headquarters of the South Korean multinational firm Samsung is located in Samsung Town in the capital city of Seoul in South Korea, the year 1938 marked the beginning of the company. And this particular company has experienced some of the most challenging highs and lows. and the Samsung Group as a whole makes for an interesting case study for business administration majors. An MBA student has a lot to learn from Samsung, since Samsung is a company that teaches, and Samsung's strategic decisions and actions have been crucial in the company's success in overcoming these challenges. Samsung is also expanding rapidly, and an MBA student has a lot to learn from this company.   As a strong company, Samsung has some of the most well-known Samsung industries, such as Samsung Electronics, Samsung Heavy Industries, Samsung Engineering, etc. And Samsung is the only company that is better than anyone else at learning from its competition. Students pursuing a master's degree in business administration can get much knowledge from the Samsung case study, including how to analyze critically, solve problems, and describe challenging scenarios. MBA students can learn a lot from the overall performance of organizations, as well as the challenges those companies had to overcome, and the methods and lessons that lead to continued success.

This case study is mostly on the Tesla Corporation, which is a producer of electric vehicles with headquarters in the United States and was established in 2003 by Elon Musk. and the story of the company's success is so instructive for MBA students that they may learn both the strategies and the challenges that the company overcame. Moreover, as a result of its innovative business model and the rapidly expanding mobility industry, it is beneficial for students pursuing a master's degree in business administration. And the disruptive business model of Tesla passes the VP's manual testing. This company has made an investment in a network that is being accelerated. Moreover, MBA students have the opportunity to investigate Tesla's business tactics. The Tesla case study gives MBA students a look at innovation in leadership and marketing in business. Students can improve their critical thinking abilities, get insights into strategic decision-making, and apply these lessons to other aspects of their education if they study Tesla's successes and struggles.

The famous case studies that are so crucial for MBA students are covered in this blog. Case studies like these help students develop critical thinking skills and marketing expertise. And students learn more about real-world experience by studying the successes and failures of tech companies like Netflix, Starbucks, Tesla, etc.

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Case Study Basics

What is a case study *.

A case study is a snapshot of an organization or an industry wrestling with a dilemma, written to serve a set of pedagogical objectives. Whether raw or cooked , what distinguishes a pedagogical case study from other writing is that it centers on one or more dilemmas. Rather than take in information passively, a case study invites readers to engage the material in the case to solve the problems presented. Whatever the case structure, the best classroom cases all have these attributes: (1)The case discusses issues that allow for a number of different courses of action – the issues discussed are not “no-brainers,” (2) the case makes the management issues as compelling as possible by providing rich background and detail, and (3) the case invites the creative use of analytical management tools.

Case studies are immensely useful as teaching tools and sources of research ideas. They build a reservoir of subject knowledge and help students develop analytical skills. For the faculty, cases provide unparalleled insights into the continually evolving world of management and may inspire further theoretical inquiry.

There are many case formats. A traditional case study presents a management issue or issues calling for resolution and action. It generally breaks off at a decision point with the manager weighing a number of different options. It puts the student in the decision-maker’s shoes and allows the student to understand the stakes involved. In other instances, a case study is more of a forensic exercise. The operations and history of a company or an industry will be presented without reference to a specific dilemma. The instructor will then ask students to comment on how the organization operates, to look for the key success factors, critical relationships, and underlying sources of value. A written case will pre-package appropriate material for students, while an online case may provide a wider variety of topics in a less linear manner.

Choosing Participants for a Case Study

Many organizations cooperate in case studies out of a desire to contribute to management education. They understand the need for management school professors and students to keep current with practice.

Organizations also cooperate in order to gain exposure in management school classrooms. The increased visibility and knowledge about an organization’s operations and culture can lead to subsidiary benefits such as improved recruiting.

Finally, organizations participate because reading a case about their operations and decision making written by a neutral observer can generate useful insights. A case study preserves a moment in time and chronicles an otherwise hidden history. Managers who visit the classroom to view the case discussion generally find the experience invigorating.

The Final Product

Cases are usually written as narratives that take the reader through the events leading to the decision point, including relevant information on the historical, competitive, legal, technical, and political environment facing the organization. A written case study generally runs from 5,000 to 10,000 words of text supplemented with numerous pages of data exhibits. An online raw case may have less original text, but will require students to extract information from multiple original documents, videos of company leaders discussing the challenges, photographs, and links to articles and websites.

The first time a case is taught represents something of a test run. As students react to the material, plan to revise the case to include additional information or to delete data that does not appear useful. If the organization’s managers attend the class, their responses to student comments and questions may suggest some case revisions as well.

The sponsoring professor will generally write a “teaching note” to give other instructors advice on how to structure classroom discussion and useful bits of analysis that can be included to explicate the issues highlighted in the case study.

Finally, one case may inspire another. Either during the case writing process or after a case is done, a second “B” case might be useful to write that outlines what the organization did or that outlines new challenges faced by the organization after the timeframe of the initial case study.

* Portions of this note are adapted from E. Raymond Corey, “Writing Cases and Teaching Notes,” Harvard Business School case 399-077, with updates to reflect Yale School of Management practices for traditional and raw cases.

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Case studies.

The teaching business case studies available here are narratives that facilitate class discussion about a particular business or management issue. Teaching cases are meant to spur debate among students rather than promote a particular point of view or steer students in a specific direction.  Some of the case studies in this collection highlight the decision-making process in a business or management setting. Other cases are descriptive or demonstrative in nature, showcasing something that has happened or is happening in a particular business or management environment. Whether decision-based or demonstrative, case studies give students the chance to be in the shoes of a protagonist. With the help of context and detailed data, students can analyze what they would and would not do in a particular situation, why, and how.

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Case Interview Study Samples

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These case studies represent cases across firm styles (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, & more), including interviewer-led and interviewee-led (candidate-led) cases. The video examples demonstrate the nuances of the virtual case interview and include feedback from an MBB coach. The sessions feature consultants or consulting candidates.

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10 Best Questions to Ask an MBA Student or Alum

The journey to get an MBA is an exciting step in your professional and personal development. One of the best ways to gather insights about a business school is to speak with current students or alums. They can provide a unique perspective you won’t find in brochures or official websites. To make the most out of these conversations, asking the right questions is crucial. Here are the ten best questions to ask an MBA student or alum to get a well-rounded understanding of a business school.

Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a  free 15-minute advising session  with an SBC Principal Consultant.

Question 1: Why did you choose this business school?

This question can help you understand the main factors influencing their decision. Their answer might highlight the school’s reputation, specific programs, faculty, culture, or location. These responses will reveal what sets this school apart and whether those factors align with your priorities and career goals.

Question 2: What was your experience like during the admissions process?

The admissions process can vary from one school to another. Learning about their experience can provide valuable tips on navigating the application, preparing for interviews, and managing deadlines. It can also highlight any unique aspects of the school’s admissions process you should know.

Question 3: How would you describe the academic environment? 

Understanding the academic rigor and support systems in place is crucial. Ask an MBA student or alum about the quality of the faculty, class sizes, the level of collaboration versus competition among students, and the availability of academic resources. That will help you assess if the educational environment suits your learning style and goals.

Question 4: Can you share insights on the campus culture? 

Campus culture plays a significant role in your MBA experience. Ask about the social atmosphere, diversity, inclusion, student organizations, and extracurricular activities. Understanding the culture will help determine if you feel comfortable and engaged in the community.

Question 5: What opportunities are available for networking and career development? 

Networking and career development are vital components of an MBA program. Ask an MBA student or alum about the strength of the alumni network, the availability of career services, internship opportunities, and on-campus recruiting. These factors can significantly influence your post-MBA career prospects.

Question 6: How has the MBA program impacted your career? 

This question allows you to gauge the tangible benefits of the MBA program . Alums can share their career progression, job placements, salary increases, and how they have applied the skills and knowledge gained from the program. This information is critical in understanding the return on investment for the MBA.

Question 7: What are some challenges you faced during the program? 

Every MBA program has its academic, social, or logistical challenges. By asking about these, you can get a realistic picture of what to expect and consider if you are ready to handle similar challenges. Additionally, you can learn how the school supports students in overcoming these obstacles.

Question 8: How accessible are the faculty and administration? 

Faculty and administrative support can greatly enhance your MBA experience. Ask an MBA student about their accessibility, responsiveness, and willingness to mentor students. A supportive faculty and administration can provide valuable guidance and foster a positive learning environment.

Question 9: What has been the ROI of this MBA program for you?

While financial gain is not the only reason to pursue an MBA, understanding the program’s return on investment (ROI) is essential. Inquire about the cost of the program, availability of scholarships, average starting salaries of graduates, and long-term career advancement. This will help you evaluate if the financial and time investment is worth it.

Question 10: Would you recommend this MBA program to others? Why or why not? 

This is a straightforward question that can yield honest and insightful answers. Alums and current students can provide a holistic view of their satisfaction with the program and highlight its strengths and weaknesses. Their recommendation (or lack thereof) can foreshadow the program’s quality and fit for you.

Asking the right questions can  enhance your understanding of a business school and help you decide where to pursue your MBA. Remember to approach these conversations with an open mind and respect the time and insights students and alums share. Their experiences can provide invaluable guidance as you navigate your MBA journey. Happy networking, and best of luck with your applications.

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs. From our  All-In Partnership  to interview prep, essay editing, resume review, and much more, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for a  free 15-minute advising session  to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. 

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team .

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

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Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.  Ashley  holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years,  Ashley  was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and  ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.  Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.  For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).  In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.  Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.  In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.  Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.  In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.  Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications.  She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.   Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.   Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team.  During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students.  She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).  During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director.  Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Wharton, Booth and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Anthony , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise.

Meet Kim , who was an Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Chicago Booth.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

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Latest Blog Post

Cambridge mba deadlines for 2024-2025.

Are you interested in the University of Cambridge Judge Business School? Get ready to mark your calendar! Here are the Cambridge MBA deadlines for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Cambridge MBA Deadlines and ... →

Big 3 with Dean H. Rao Unnava: May 2024

SIEML Previews B-School | Poets&Quants Honors Two UC Davis MBAs | Elon Musk to Tesla's Supercharger Team: You're Fired!

• May 31, 2024
• H. Rao Unnava

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Poets&Quants Honors Two UC Davis MBAs among Best & Brightest 

We congratulate Ryan Wilson and Tess Sussman honored among Poets&Quants’ top 100 Best & Brightest MBAs globally. Tess is an NCAA Women's Basketball player and Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. Poets&Quants received 226 nominations from 74 business schools. Read about Tess Sussman & Ryan Wilson

Elon Musk to Tesla's Supercharger Team: You're Fired! Crazy? But Why? 

When Elon Musk surprisingly fired Tesla's 500-member Supercharger team, it threatened California's plans to open up Tesla's Superchargers to all electric vehicles. Distinguished Professor Hemant Bhargava, an expert on the EV platform market, offers three ways to understand Musk’s move. Read blog >

Thank you for watching this month's Big 3.

Video Transcript

• We just hosted the University of California’s Summer Institute for Emerging Leaders and Managers
• Poets&Quants has honored two of our MBAs among the Best & Brightest
• Why did Elon Musk recently fire Tesla’s Supercharger team?

Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the Big 3 video newsletter.

UC's Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders at UC Davis

The past two weeks we hosted a select group of 50 undergraduate students at this year’s Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders. Known as SIEML, the program was launched in 2012 and has the power of the University of California system behind it.

These talented underrepresented students came to UC Davis from 18 Hispanic Serving Institutions and 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They are interested in pursuing graduate management education and invited to attend because of their leadership potential and markers of success.

Faculty and staff from the six UC business schools teamed up on this year’s 10-day program that featured lectures, workshops, activities, fun times and competitions. 

On a day trip to San Francisco, students visited the Chase Center, the home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, where they heard from a high-level panel on careers in sports management.

SIEML alumni who are admitted into a UC graduate business program are offered fellowships.

We hope to see some of these undergraduates back at UC Davis in the future to earn a master’s degree.

We’re thrilled that two UC Davis Full-Time MBA students have been recognized among Poets&Quants’ 2024 Best & Brightest MBAs.

We congratulate Full-Time MBA students Ryan Wilson and Tess Sussman.

This is the first time that both our nominees have been included among the media company’s top 100 students at elite MBA programs worldwide.

A student-athlete, Tess graduated from Harvard where she played NCAA Women’s Basketball. As a UC Davis MBA she joined as captain of the UC Davis Aggies Women’s Basketball team and has excelled on and off the court.

Tess is passionate about healthcare management. She has taken advantage of our Biotechnology Industry Immersion experience. Last summer she interned as a Senior Associate at Clarion, a life sciences consultancy, in Boston, her home state.

Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. He serves as president of our student Veterans Association and is an advocate for veteran support.

Ryan interned as a Senior Financial Analyst for Intel.

Most recently he acquired a fleet services company and now serves as CEO of the newly formed WilsonTech Services, offering military-grade fleet management for the Sacramento Region

Now in its 10th year, Poets&Quants’ Best & Brightest MBAs recognition is highly competitive. They received 226 nominations from 74 U.S. and international business schools. Candidates were judged on their extracurricular leadership, personal excellence, and the insightfulness of their responses and recommendations.

Congratulations again to Tess and Ryan.

Elon Musk Fires Tesla's Supercharger Team. Crazy? But Why?

The electric vehicle market is fundamentally a platform business. A robust supercharger network is vital to convince customers to buy an electric vehicle. 

Tesla is the only EV-maker that implemented a smart charging network strategy, and Tesla's Supercharger network has been pivotal to its success in selling cars.

Distinguished Professor Hemant Bhargava has written extensively on the EV market. In Harvard Business Review, Hemant explained how Tesla’s charging stations left other manufacturers in the dust. Despite billions in investments, none of the major automakers seems to pose much of a threat to Tesla.

Hemant calls Tesla the number one gas station for the electric vehicle industry.

So when Tesla’s Elon Musk surprisingly fired the entire 500 member Supercharger team this month, it threatened California's plans to open up Tesla's Superchargers to all electric vehicles.

Hemant offered three ways to understand and rationalize Musk’s move:

• Musk is decisive and authoritative. Tesla has multiple ways it could execute on opening up its superchargers to rivals and needs new ideas.
• Musk is a mercurial leader. He fired this team one day, but he might bring some of them back! He did that at Twitter (X).
• Musk needs a new, more agile team with a different skill set.

Hemant sees merit to all three arguments but thinks number three is the strongest. 

Thank you for watching this month’s Big 3!

Related content

Emotional Intelligence and Design Thinking: How SIEML at UC Davis Sparked My Drive for an MBA

Empowering others through financial literacy and personal development

Tess Sussman Honored among Poets&Quants' 2024 Best & Brightest MBAs

Tesla Fires Its Supercharger Team. Crazy? But Why?

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