Case Study #1 Please write a case study analysis of the case study referenced below. Calkins, T. (2015). Taco Bell: The Breakfast Opportunity. Case Study KEL917. Evanston, IL: Kellogg Case Publishing. A case study analysis is a type of assignment used widely within business schools – including Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes – around the world. A case study analysis is not a purely descriptive exercise but a more critical one – namely, an examination of a situation with a view towards making practical recommendations. Case study analyses are included in many courses to provide students with (simulated) situations where they can make crucial decisions. Cases are usually oriented around actual situations. They are narratives presenting a business problem requiring thoughtful assessment and recommendation(s). For the sake of confidentiality, the names of certain people – and even institutions – may be changed. Please be aware that cases, similar to “real world” situations, do not necessarily present information in a complete or well-organized fashion. It should be noted that the general structure of this assignment is derived from a document prepared by Dr. Paul Willie. Your assignment should be written in full sentences. You are to include a title page with your case study analysis. Please include a reference page if you consulted other sources. Please include a full reference to the case study at the top of the first page of your assignment. The text of the assignment should be double spaced and you should use 12-point font. You are welcome to double side the pages. Please number the pages too. We will use the referencing system developed by the American Psychological Association (APA). How Should You Proceed? Many approaches can be used with respect to the analysis of a case study. The steps below do not represent the only feasible approach. 1. Read through the case in order to get a sense of the situation and the key matters faced by the main decision maker in the case. Many cases will place you into the role of a particular person or character, or as an advisor to this person or character. 2. Re-read the case carefully and identify the most significant information provided in the case, noting the data available. 3. After becoming familiar with the case, make notes regarding the main issues as you see them. What are the main issues in the case? What are possible courses of action? 4. Consider the various components of the case analysis you have been asked to prepare (see below). 5. Case study analyses often require you to consider alternative solutions. Consider the way in which information presented in the case may help you select between or amongst the possible courses of action. Remember the importance of not merely showing your judgement but the basis for it. Case Study Analysis: The Methodological Model What should your case study analysis include? 1. A Clear Statement Regarding the Case Problem (2 paragraphs) (a) What is the main challenge or issue encountered by the organization in the case? (b) Why is this challenge or issue the main challenge or issue? What is the evidence? (c) What are the peripheral (secondary) challenges or issues in this case? How do they relate to the main challenge or issue? 2. A Situational Analysis (1 page maximum) Point form is not permitted. Please use full sentences. I permitted students to use bullet-pointed items in their situational or SWOT analysis in 2017, and I struggled to understand some of the ideas that were presented to me. Identify the organization’s: (a) Strengths (internal analysis) (b) Weaknesses (internal analysis) (c) Opportunities (external analysis) (d) Threats (external analysis) 3. Possible Alternatives for a Solution (4 to 8 sentences) Identify at least three alternatives that are practical, affordable, and realistic. Make sure the alternatives that you select are connected in some way to the case problem (that your alternatives address the stated problem) and to your situational or SWOT analysis. (a) If there is a need for expenditure – for the purposes of carrying out your alternatives – what will be the source of the capital? (b) If there is a need to hire more employees, how will you pay for these additional employees? 4. Analysis of Alternatives (6 to 10 sentences) The alternatives you present should be analyzed both objectively and subjectively. (a) With respect to objective analysis, you are welcome to use tools you have been exposed to previously in your studies. For example, consider approaches or frameworks that address risk, return on investment (ROI), or practicality. There may be other approaches or frameworks that are appropriate too (b) Drawing upon concepts related to financial management will be viewed favourably (c) A subjective analysis should represent expert opinion or professional judgement. Avoid alternatives purely based upon your personal intuition 5. Recommendations (1/2 to 3/4 of a page) Based on your analysis, one alternative should stand out as being superior in comparison to the others. This alternative should be your main recommendation. Which of the alternatives should be pursued? 6. Implementation (1/2 to 3/4 of a page) How will the recommendation be implemented? Identify specific resource allocations. Consider these questions as you address implementation: Who, what, where, when, and why? You can make reference to timelines, budgets, and contingency plans (for example) Additional Considerations 1. Your case study analysis should be a polished and professional piece of work. Please proofread your work carefully before submission. 2. You are welcome to discuss and analyze case studies with your classmates. However, your assignment must be your own work, must be your own words, and must reflect your own views regarding the case. 3. Make sure you reference direct quotations from the article. Use the author’s (or authors’) name(s), the year of publication, and the page number in the in-text citation. The APA approach to referencing should be used. 4. Paraphrasing means putting ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing offers an alternative to using direct quotations in your case study. If you include distinctive phrases from the case study, use quotation marks. Your case study analysis, however, should not simply be a collection of quotations. 5. Please observe (as noted) the standard formatting conventions. Assignments should be typed in 12-point font and double-spaced. You can double-side your assignment if you wish to do so. 6. Please include a title page and (if necessary) a reference page. Make sure your title page features your name, student number, and a title.
