CASE STUDY

What is a Case Study?

An MBA case study is a simulated business challenge encountered in the course of an
MBA education. The case study portrays a genuine scenario faced by a firm, including
its difficulties, opportunities, and crucial decisions. Your work will entail analysing data,
assessing different perspectives, and formulating a strategic action plan, much like that
of a consultant. Case studies are valuable tools that bridge the gap between academic
concepts and practical applications. They promote the growth of critical thinking,
analytical skills, and decision-making abilities. Furthermore, these activities enhance
your communication skills by fostering collaborative discussions and providing
opportunities for public speaking engagements. This prepares you to excel as a diverse
and skilled corporate leader.

Importance of Case Studies

Case studies provide a bridge between theoretical understanding and practical
application in the real world. They offer a diverse array of benefits that go beyond
conventional textbooks and lectures:

 Improving Critical Thinking: By examining complex situations, identifying key

elements, and evaluating many options, you will strengthen your ability to
participate in critical thinking and make well-supported decisions.
 Enhancing Analytical Skills: Case studies improve your ability to assess and
interpret data, financial statements, and market trends. It is crucial to analyze
this data while formulating your recommendations.
 Enhancing the process of decision-making: Analysing several viewpoints
and potential risks in a case study offers a robust framework for making
informed business decisions in real-world scenarios.
 Improving Communication Skills: Many case studies involve group
discussions and presentations. This allows you to improve your skill in
articulating your insight persuasively and collaborating effectively with your
team – essential talents for every business executive.
Case Study: A Step-by-Step
Approach
Here is a strategy methodology that allow you to thrive in case study analysis and
become a master:

 Specify the issue: The first phase is accurately identifying the main obstacle
that the organisation is facing.
 Perform a comprehensive analysis of the situation: Analyse the case data
meticulously, encompassing financials, market trends, and competitive
analysis, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the context.
 Identify the primary issues or areas of concern: Avoid conducting a cursory
analysis of the topic. Examine the primary reasons and underlying elements
that are contributing to the current scenario.
 Generate Potential Solutions: Generate a range of potential solutions,
including their feasibility, cost implications, and long-term impacts. Embrace
unorthodox thinking!
 Evaluate other options: Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of each
alternative that you have developed during the brainstorming process. Analyse
the potential risks and advantages associated with each alternative.
 Offer a recommendation: Based on your research, propose a well-
substantiated option that you consider to be the most efficient course of
action.
 Develop an Action Plan: Please outline a comprehensive strategy outlining the
necessary steps to implement the solution you have proposed.

Top 20 Case Studies with Detailed

Findings:
To give you a taste of the fascinating world of case studies, here are a few examples
that explore diverse business challenges:

1. The Mumbai Dabbawala Story (Supply Chain &

Efficiency): Findings: The Dabbawalas’ success highlights the power of a
 well-organized system, even with minimal technology. They demonstrate lean
operations, cost-effectiveness, and the importance of clear communication and
collaboration in a complex logistical network.
2. Cola Wars (Marketing Strategy & Competition): Findings: The case
explores the ongoing battle between Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, showcasing the
importance of effective marketing strategies, brand positioning, and constant
innovation to maintain market share. It emphasizes the need for understanding
consumer preferences and adapting to changing market trends.
3. Patanjali’s Ayurvedic Gamble (Brand Strategy & Market
Disruption): Findings: Patanjali’s rise highlights the growing consumer
demand for natural and healthy products. Their targeted brand strategy and
clever marketing tactics demonstrate how a new player can disrupt a market
by catering to a specific segment with a unique value proposition.
4. Reliance Jio’s Disruptive Growth (Market Entry & Pricing
Strategies): Findings: Reliance Jio’s case showcases the power of disruptive
innovation and unconventional pricing models. They revolutionized the Indian
telecom industry by offering low-cost data plans, demonstrating the
effectiveness of aggressive marketing and a focus on affordability to gain a
foothold in a competitive market.
5. Apple’s Innovation Machine (Product Development & Brand
Building): Findings: Apple’s success lies in their commitment to design
thinking, user-centric product development, and building a strong brand image
associated with premium quality and innovation. The case emphasizes the
importance of fostering a culture of creativity and prioritizing user experience.
6. OpenAI’s Quest for Safe AGI (Technology Ethics & Responsible
AI): Findings: This case explores the ethical considerations of developing
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). It highlights the need for responsible AI
development, considering potential risks and benefits, and navigating the
complex ethical and philosophical implications of advanced AI.
7. Netflix’s Global Expansion (Globalization & Content
Localization): Findings: Netflix’s case underlines the challenges and
opportunities of globalizing a streaming service. It emphasizes the importance
of content localization to cater to diverse cultural preferences and the need for
a nuanced understanding of different markets to achieve successful global
expansion.
8. Tesla’s Disruption of the Auto Industry (Innovation &
Sustainability): Findings: Tesla’s story demonstrates the power of
disruptive innovation and the growing consumer interest in sustainable
transportation. They challenged the traditional auto industry with electric
vehicles and a focus on environmental responsibility, proving that innovation
can drive market change.
9. Amazon’s Disruption of Retail (E-commerce & Customer
Experience): Findings: Amazon’s case highlights the transformative power
of e-commerce and the importance of prioritizing customer convenience. Their
relentless focus on user experience and efficient logistics demonstrates how
digital transformation can revolutionize an industry.
10. GE’s Downfall: A Case of Lost Direction (Leadership & Strategic
Decision Making): Findings: GE’s decline serves as a cautionary tale about
the importance of strong leadership and strategic decision making. The case
emphasizes the need for clear vision, adaptability to changing market
conditions, and avoiding diversification that dilutes core competencies.
11. Southwest Airlines’ Low-Cost Model (Cost Optimization & Market
Niche): Findings: Southwest Airlines’ success highlights the effectiveness of
a low-cost carrier model with a focus on cost optimization and efficiency. They
carved out a niche market for budget-conscious travelers by offering a friendly
and efficient travel experience at a competitive price point.
12. Warby Parker’s Direct-to-Consumer Revolution (Direct Sales & Online
Marketing): Findings: Warby Parker’s case demonstrates the growing
popularity of direct-to-consumer models and the power of online marketing.
They disrupted the eyewear industry by bypassing traditional retail channels
and offering stylish and affordable glasses directly to consumers through
effective online marketing strategies.
13. Lego’s Brick-and-Click Strategy (Innovation &
Adaptability): Findings: Lego’s case highlights the importance of balancing
tradition with innovation. They successfully navigated the digital age by
integrating traditional toy manufacturing with digital games and experiences,
demonstrating the need for adaptability to keep pace with changing consumer
behavior.
14. Zara’s Fast Fashion Formula (Supply Chain Management & Trend
Response): Findings: Zara’s success lies in their efficient supply chain
management and rapid response to fashion trends. Their just-in-time
 manufacturing allows them to quickly adapt to consumer preferences and keep
their clothing lines fresh and relevant.
15. Disneyland’s Pricing Strategy (Revenue Management & Customer
Flow): Findings: Disneyland’s case explores the complexities of pricing
strategies in a theme park setting. They utilize yield management techniques
to optimize revenue based on demand and customer flow, demonstrating the
importance of balancing ticket prices with managing park capacity to ensure a
positive visitor experience.
16. Airbnb’s Sharing Economy Disruption (Market Disruption & Platform
Development): Findings: Airbnb’s story highlights the rise of the sharing
economy and the power of disruptive platforms. They revolutionized the
hospitality industry by creating a peer-to-peer accommodation marketplace,
proving that innovative platforms can create new opportunities for both
consumers and providers.
17. The Hershey Company’s Turnaround Strategy (Market Revitalization &
Product Innovation): Findings: The Hershey Company’s case demonstrates
the importance of turnaround strategies when facing market challenges. They
revitalized their brand by focusing on product innovation, strategic marketing,
and reconnecting with core consumers, proving that even established
companies can adapt and recover.
18. The Body Shop’s Ethical Sourcing Dilemma (Corporate Social
Responsibility & Brand Values): Findings: The Body Shop’s case explores
the ethical considerations businesses face in sourcing materials and
maintaining brand values. It highlights the growing importance of corporate
social responsibility (CSR) and the challenges of balancing ethical sourcing
practices with business needs.
19. Tesla’s Autopilot Safety Concerns (Technology Ethics & Responsible
Innovation): Findings: Tesla’s Autopilot technology raises important
questions about the ethics of self-driving cars and the need for responsible
innovation. The case emphasizes the importance of prioritizing safety,
conducting thorough testing, and ensuring transparency about the limitations
of such technologies.
20. Starbucks’ Global Coffee Empire (Brand Building & Customer
Loyalty): Findings: Starbucks’ case showcases the power of brand building
and creating a unique customer experience. They built a global brand around
coffee by offering a welcoming atmosphere, high-quality products, and
 personalized service. Their focus on creating a “third place” between home
and work fostered customer loyalty and encouraged repeat visits.

This strategy, combined with effective franchising models, allowed them to expand their
reach internationally while maintaining a consistent brand image. The case highlights
the importance of building customer relationships, emotional connection with the brand,
and offering a differentiated experience in a competitive market.

These 20 cases provide a diverse range of real-world business scenarios that challenge
students to analyze problems, develop solutions, and apply their business knowledge in
a practical setting.

Top Case Study Areas

 Implementation of Data Science and AI: Emphasise case studies that
demonstrate how companies are using data science and AI for activities such
as consumer segmentation, targeted marketing, and product development.
 Emerging Technologies: Discussion of possible case studies involving
emerging technologies such as blockchain, augmented reality/virtual reality,
and the internet of things (IoT) to develop novel solutions or improve efficiency
is welcome.
 Sustainability and Social Impact: Make note of upcoming case studies that
investigate how businesses are utilising data and technology to tackle
sustainability issues or make a good difference in society.
 Crisis Management and Reputational Branding: Quickly go over the
potential for case studies that examine how companies handle public relations
disasters by using data-driven tactics and productive communication.

Top MBA Case Study Interview

Questions in 2024
 Questions that Focus on Data Analysis: Inquiries of this nature are common.
In what ways may data analytics improve a business’s marketing strategy and
operational efficiency?
  Digital Transformation: Get ready to discuss how companies may thrive in the
digital age and the concept of digital transformation. What are your thoughts
on how a company may make its IT systems future-proof?
 Exploring Untapped Markets: Anticipate case studies that deal with the
globalisation of companies. What are the most crucial considerations for a
company planning to enter a new international market?
 Sustainability and Social Impact: The ability of MBA students to make a
positive difference in the world is being increasingly valued by several schools.
How do you believe a company can address sustainability concerns while still
turning a profit?

How to Solve Case Studies?

Mastering MBA case studies involves a three-pronged approach: preparation, structured
analysis, and impactful communication. Beforehand, brush up on business
fundamentals and practice with sample cases. During the case, utilize frameworks like
DECIDE to define the problem, analyze data, brainstorm solutions, choose the best
option with clear reasoning, and outline implementation. Finally, present your findings
confidently, highlighting data-driven insights and strong communication skills to
impress the admissions committee.

 Define the Problem: Identify the core issue the company faces.
 Evaluate the Situation: Analyze the case data, including financial statements,
market research, and competitor analysis.
 Consider Alternatives: Brainstorm and evaluate different potential solutions,
considering their feasibility, risks, and potential benefits.
 Decide on a Solution: Select the most compelling solution and justify your
choice with sound reasoning and data.
 Execute and Evaluate: Briefly outline the implementation plan and potential
metrics to measure the success of your solution.

Conclusion
Lastly, case studies provide a helpful bridge connecting academic understanding with
real-world business challenges. With scenario analysis, data-driven decision-making,
and strong recommendation-making, you will develop the critical thinking, analytical
skills, and leadership qualities required for success. Remember that it takes careful
planning, structured study frameworks, and compelling communication to comprehend
case studies and impress admissions committees.