Short answer

When faced with complex, contemporary challenges where direct experimental control is difficult, consider using a case study approach to gain deep insights into organizational strategies and decision-making processes.

Field: Innovation & Markets
Source: Cambridge University Press eBooks (2022)
Method: Case Study

A case study approach is effective for understanding the 'how' and 'why' of strategic decision-making during disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for new ventures. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2022 study published in Cambridge University Press eBooks. Using Case study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When faced with complex, contemporary challenges where direct experimental control is difficult, consider using a case study approach to gain deep insights into organizational strategies and decision-making processes.

Study

Innovation & MarketsHigh Impact

Case Study Method Reveals Strategic Responses to Disruptive Crises in Business School Launches

A case study approach is effective for understanding the 'how' and 'why' of strategic decision-making during disruptive events like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for new ventures.

Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2022

Key Findings

01Case studies are well-suited for investigating phenomena where the researcher has limited control over events and the focus is on contemporary, real-life contexts.
02The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique crisis scenario for the launch and operation of a new business school.
03Understanding the 'how' and 'why' of strategic responses is crucial for navigating disruptive events.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When undertaking a design project that involves launching a new product or service in a volatile market, consider conducting a detailed case study of a similar, successful (or unsuccessful) venture to understand their strategic choices and outcomes.

Project actions

01When choosing a research method, think about whether your project involves 'how' or 'why' questions and if you can control the situation.
02If you are looking at a real-world problem with many factors you can't control, a case study might be the best way to investigate.

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore the rationale and strategic responses of a newly established business school in managing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

MethodCase Study

ProcedureThe research employed a case study methodology to examine the establishment and crisis management strategies of a new business school during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the 'how' and 'why' of their operational decisions.

ContextHigher Education Management, Crisis Management, New Venture Launch

Variables

IV["COVID-19 Pandemic (disruptive event)"]

DV["Strategic responses of the business school","Rationale for decisions","Operational outcomes"]

CV["Nature of the business school (newly established)","Specific crisis management strategies employed"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides in-depth understanding of a specific phenomenon.
+Effective for answering 'how' and 'why' questions in real-world contexts.

Limitations

A case study provides deep insight into one specific situation, but it's hard to say if the same strategies would work elsewhere or in different circumstances.

Reliability & validity

The validity of a case study relies on triangulation of data sources (e.g., interviews, documents, observations) and clear description of the context. Reliability is achieved through detailed reporting that allows for replication of the analytical process.

Think critically

How might the specific context of a business school differ from other types of organizations when responding to a crisis, and how might this affect the generalizability of the case study findings?

Design Principles

"Employ context-specific research methodologies to understand complex phenomena in real-world settings."

This research highlights the value of in-depth case studies for analyzing complex, contemporary phenomena where direct control over variables is limited. It provides a framework for understanding how organizations navigate unforeseen challenges and establish themselves in dynamic markets.

What This Means for Your Design

This paper shows that studying one specific example (a case study) is a good way to figure out how and why a new business school managed to start and survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this paper when justifying the use of a case study methodology for your own design project, particularly if it involves analyzing a specific organization's response to a challenge.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The case study methodology, as exemplified by Katkalo (2022), is particularly effective for investigating complex, contemporary phenomena where direct control over events is limited and the focus is on understanding the 'how' and 'why' of strategic responses, making it a suitable approach for analyzing the challenges faced by organizations during disruptive periods.

Source

Cambridge University Press eBooks

Creating a New Major Business School in the Times of COVID-19: The HSE-Moscow Way

journal · 2022

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about case study method reveals strategic responses to disruptive crises in business school launches?: When faced with complex, contemporary challenges where direct experimental control is difficult, consider using a case study approach to gain deep insights into organizational strategies and decision-making processes. Evidence: Cambridge University Press eBooks (2022).
Why does "Case Study Method Reveals Strategic Responses to Disruptive Crises in Business School Launches" matter for design?: This research highlights the value of in-depth case studies for analyzing complex, contemporary phenomena where direct control over variables is limited. It provides a framework for understanding how organizations navigate unforeseen challenges and establish themselves in dynamic markets.
How can designers apply this research?: When faced with complex, contemporary challenges where direct experimental control is difficult, consider using a case study approach to gain deep insights into organizational strategies and decision-making processes.
What were the main findings?: Case studies are well-suited for investigating phenomena where the researcher has limited control over events and the focus is on contemporary, real-life contexts.. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique crisis scenario for the launch and operation of a new business school.. Understanding the 'how' and 'why' of strategic responses is crucial for navigating disruptive events.
What research method was used?: Case Study.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When undertaking a design project that involves launching a new product or service in a volatile market, consider conducting a detailed case study of a similar, successful (or unsuccessful) venture to understand their strategic choices and outcomes.
What are the limitations?: The findings are specific to the single case studied and may not be generalizable to all new business schools or crisis situations.