How To Make Your Great Cases Even Better

Eric Dolansky, Associate Professor of Marketing, Department of Marketing, International Business, and Strategy, Goodman School of Business, Brock University, Canada

‘Many think they can draft a case. Eric Dolansky shows how to create one with real impact. His guide on rigorous, decision-focused case research demonstrates the process and effort required for classroom excellence. It’s demanding work, but achievable. Faculty committed to cases that truly matter will find their roadmap here.’

• Contents1 Introduction; my life in casesPART I  PLANNING AND PREPARATIONIntroduction to Part I: Planning and preparation2 Making the most of your case; maximizing the contributionof your work3 Setting goals; what you hope to achieve with this project 4 Topics and contexts; choosing your case topics with intention5 Starting projects; planning and expectationsPART II  THE CASEIntroduction to Part II: The case6 Case decisions; decision focus and consistency7 The introductory paragraph; importance, urgency, and hook8 Case data; what to include and what to leave out9 Narrative and character; your protagonist and their story10 Point of view; how the reader engages with the case11 General tips; the little things that will make your case stand out12 Consistency; connecting and iterating the case to theinstructor’s manualPART III  THE INSTRUCTOR’S MANUALIntroduction to Part III: The instructor’s manual13 Instructor’s manual structure; why it is how it is14 The opening bits; the synopsis, target courses, researchmethodology, and use of the case15 Learning objectives; framing the purpose of the entiredocument16 Integrating theory and concepts; how to make the case asuseful as possible17 Suggested teaching approaches; how to make the class asuseful as possible 18 Writing discussion questions; how to create questions thatcontribute the most 19 Answering discussion questions; making the response fit thecase and class needs20 Quantitative and qualitative analysis; how to communicate thework21 Building decision focus in the instructor’s manual; bringing itback to the decision22 Concluding the instructor’s manual; using the epilogue,appendices, and conclusion to the best effectPART IV  USING YOUR WORKIntroduction to Part IV: Using your work23 Next steps; preparing your case for use and publication24 Teaching your case; how to get the most out of the experience25 Editing and improving; continuing to improve your work andprocess26 Conclusion: Better cases, better outcomes