Outline: Case Study
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
1. BRIEF SUMMARY OF CASE STUDY – KEY FACTORS
2. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE / PROBLEMS
3. SITUATION ANALYSIS
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths: These are the internal strengths of the business: what resources or other advantages does it have that can be used to advantage in this situation? Example: experienced and dedicated employee; a high-quality product.
Weaknesses: These are internal areas of weakness that could hinder the business in dealing with the situation. Example: quality-control problems that are undermining the firm’s reputation.
Opportunities: These come from outside the firm. The two most common such external factors are changes in the market (either at the economy-wide level or in the market for the firm’s product), and changes regarding competitors. Example: an economic boom is forecasted; demographic developments that favor the firm’s product; withdrawal of a competitor from the market.
Threats: Threats also come from outside the firm, and involve similar factors as opportunities. Example: a recession is forecasted; demand for the firm’s product is declining; new competitors are entering the market.
PEST Analysis (industry wide)
Analyzes external forces or trends that may have an impact on the company’s business.
Political – are there political signs on the horizon that may change. Is the company dependent on a particular regulatory regime? NAFTA?
Economic – trends in GNP/GDP or inflation that might have a sizable impact on the company. For example, globalization of trade, outsourcing etc.
Social – trends in society. For example, children now spend more time gaming and on their computers than watching television or playing sports.
Technological – disruptive changes in technology foreseen or starting to show up. For example, internet shopping, mobile telecommunications, etc.
PORTER’S FIVE Forces (industry wide)
During the 1980’s Michael Porter of Harvard Business School devised a framework to
1. BRIEF SUMMARY OF CASE STUDY – KEY FACTORS
2. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE / PROBLEMS
3. SITUATION ANALYSIS
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths: These are the internal strengths of the business: what resources or other advantages does it have that can be used to advantage in this situation? Example: experienced and dedicated employee; a high-quality product.
Weaknesses: These are internal areas of weakness that could hinder the business in dealing with the situation. Example: quality-control problems that are undermining the firm’s reputation.
Opportunities: These come from outside the firm. The two most common such external factors are changes in the market (either at the economy-wide level or in the market for the firm’s product), and changes regarding competitors. Example: an economic boom is forecasted; demographic developments that favor the firm’s product; withdrawal of a competitor from the market.
Threats: Threats also come from outside the firm, and involve similar factors as opportunities. Example: a recession is forecasted; demand for the firm’s product is declining; new competitors are entering the market.
PEST Analysis (industry wide)
Analyzes external forces or trends that may have an impact on the company’s business.
Political – are there political signs on the horizon that may change. Is the company dependent on a particular regulatory regime? NAFTA?
Economic – trends in GNP/GDP or inflation that might have a sizable impact on the company. For example, globalization of trade, outsourcing etc.
Social – trends in society. For example, children now spend more time gaming and on their computers than watching television or playing sports.
Technological – disruptive changes in technology foreseen or starting to show up. For example, internet shopping, mobile telecommunications, etc.
PORTER’S FIVE Forces (industry wide)
During the 1980’s Michael Porter of Harvard Business School devised a framework to