Jun '20
Case Folio
The IUP Journal of Management Case Studies
Focus
I feel that the Covid-19 pandemic will force even institutions and instructors that have never used cases to adopt case method of teaching online. The key challenge in online teaching is keeping the students engaged while delivering the learning outcomes. Adoption of active teaching approaches such as using real-world cases can go a long way in achieving this. The next big challenge is access to the right cases. So, this is also an opportunity to experiment with new formats of cases that translate well into the online medium.
Cases in graphic novel format have emerged as an innovative and engaging way of teaching in management education. In the new millennium, we have seen top case publishing houses, including Harvard Business School, ICFAI Business School Hyderabad, and IMD, experimenting with cases in this rich visual format. There is a paper in this issue that explores the topic "Developing and Using Cases in Graphic Novel Format for Management Education", by Debapratim Purkayastha. The paper, based on an interview with Professor William A Fischer (Fischer) of IMD, explains the process of developing graphic novel cases and how to use them effectively in order to realize the learning outcomes. Fischer and coauthor Rebecca Chung developed two cases in cartoon illustration format in 2006. Both the cases are featured in this issue.
The first case, "Learning to Lead in China: Michael Faye Gets a New Assignment", by William A Fischer and Rebecca Chung, depicts the first two weeks after an expatriate executive with no firsthand experience in the China market, takes over as president of the ongoing China operations of a leading Western multinational corporation.
The second case, "Learning to Lead in China: Antonio Scarsi Takes Command", by William A Fischer and Rebecca Chung, depicts the first week after another expatriate executive, takes on the role of CEO in a poorly performing Chinese company. The protagonist had extensive China experience, but had little knowledge about the new company and the constraints it faced. Can he turn around the company in six months?
The next case, "Homeland Development Initiative Foundation ? Searching for Balance Between Social Purpose and Entrepreneurship", by Eric Van Genderen, is about the predicament of Anahit Mkhoyan who unexpectedly found herself in charge of the foundation. She had joined just eight months back as the executive director of HDIF, and the case discusses how she faced important decisions regarding the future of the social venture.
The final case in this issue, "Barriers to Performance: 'GPS-Global' ? Providing Professional Services on the Global Stage", by Michael Walton, describes an intervention within a global professional services organization in need of renewal and change.
Consulting Editor
| Article | |||
| Developing and Using Cases in Graphic Novel Format for Management Education | |||
| Learning to Lead in China: Michael Faye Gets a New Assignment | |||
| Learning to Lead in China: Antonio Scarsi Takes Command | |||
| Homeland Development Initiative Foundation - Searching for Balance Between Social Purpose and Entrepreneurship | |||
| Barriers to Performance: GPS-Global - Providing Professional Services on the Global Stage | |||
Developing and Using Cases in Graphic Novel Format for Management Education
In recent years, cases in innovative formats, such as graphic novel formats, have attracted the attention of management instructors. Leading case publishing schools, including Harvard Business School, ICFAI Business School Hyderabad and IMD, have experimented with this exciting format. While the early adaptors have taken these cases to their classrooms and benefitted from better engagement with the students, unfamiliarly with this case format has prevented many others from availing of the benefits provided by this rich visual medium. Way back in 2006, Professor William A Fischer (Fischer) of IMD and Research Associate Rebecca Chung developed two cases in graphic novel format as part of a suite of cases that formed a major part of a course on doing business in China. The two cases 'Michael Faye Gets a New Assignment' and 'Antonio Scarsi Takes Command' were in an innovative cartoon illustration format, and went on to become award-winning cases. This paper is prepared based on an in-depth interview with Fischer regarding his motivation in developing this cases series in a graphic novel format. It also strives to understand the process of developing these cases and how to use them effectively in order to realize the learning outcomes. Fischer's experience in developing this case can provide vital learning to other instructors interested in pedagogical innovations, whether it is to develop such cases themselves or in using graphic cases in their own classroom. more »
Learning to Lead in China: Michael Faye Gets a New Assignment
The case, presented in an interesting cartoon format, describes the first two weeks after Michael Faye (disguised), an expatriate executive, takes over as president of the ongoing China operations of a leading Western multinational corporation. A Zimbabwean by birth, with considerable Asian experience, Michael had little firsthand experience in the China market per se. His challenge lay in quickly climbing a steep learning curve to find the easiest and shortest path to fulfill his twin goals of repositioning the operations within the China market and repositioning China within the multinational corporation's mindset. more »
Learning to Lead in China: Antonio Scarsi Takes Command
The case, presented in an interesting cartoon format, describes the first week after Antonio Scarsi (disguised), an expatriate executive, takes on the role of CEO in a poorly performing and demoralized domestic Chinese company. Although Antonio had extensive China experience, including considerable language capabilities, he knew little about this company, in which he was the only non-Chinese employee, and had never before worked outside of the support network of a major multinational corporation. He aimed to turn around the company in six months. His challenge was how to learn about the firm as quickly and effectively as possible and signal his intentions to revitalize it to the employees. more »
Homeland Development Initiative Foundation - Searching for Balance Between Social Purpose and Entrepreneurship
Anahit Mkhoyan, Executive Director of Homeland Development Initiative Foundation (HDIF) suddenly found herself in the driving seat of the Armenia-based social enterprise. HDIF was focusing its activity on three strategic directions: (1) sales of handicrafts, (2) organization of festivals for tourism development, and (3) empowerment of rural communities in Armenia. She needed to decide which direction she should take the foundation to. There are basically two possibilities: the first is to continue what the foundation is doing, i.e., to emphasize the social purpose of the organization and thus remain heavily dependent on the founder's investment; and the second is to shift to an economically promising area of ecotourism. more »
Barriers to Performance: GPS-Global - Providing Professional Services on the Global Stage
This case charts an intervention within a global professional services organization in need of renew and change. An organization review was initiated to identify the 'barriers to performance' within this prestigious organization. Four critical challenges emerged, each of which revolved around the culture and the structure of the organization. From the executive board down, the necessary remedial action was taken. more »