A Case Study track is available at the Troy Business Research Symposium in 2010. There are two approaches for case studies in the TBRS: (1) submission of a case intended to be presented for research purposes and (2) submission of a case study to be used in teaching a course.

Research Cases

Case studies can be both qualitative and/or quantitative; well-known cases would include such examples as the Challenger Disaster, 9/11 and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Law cases are also examples of specific situations with limited generalizability, but cases that do have impact for both research and governance. Cases are intended to be selected observations that would provide a specific view of the situation but may not necessarily be representative of a particular population; variety may be present even if it is not representative. Thorough analysis is the key to a good case study; multiple perspectives are essential to provide an in-depth understanding of the unique situation, and clear contributions to the field in terms of implications and research would be necessary.

Typical components a case presented as a research project would include:

Abstract
Introduction and justification of why this study is necessary
Literature review and evaluation
Nature of the case, historical background, etc.
Information about the case
Findings/discussions and analysis
Conclusions, recommendations
References

Symposium Requirement

In general, research cases need to be presented in the same way as a traditional research paper would be presented.

Teaching Cases

Teaching cases are structured similarly to research cases but are intended for different outcomes. Teaching cases can over emphasize aspects of the case to make teaching points clear. Literature reviews typically aren't commonly found in teaching cases because the focus is on the story and the events as opposed to the research. The general purpose of a case study intended for teaching purposes is to create a framework for discussion and debate among the students and therefore need not be a complete story of actual events, but should provide for a rich discussion environment.

Teaching cases can be written to meet teaching objectives, the needs of particular groups and study and discussion time. Required elements of the teaching case would include the case itself, teaching notes, a summary of the case and discussion points for the instructor (with suggested answers), recommendations for the type of classes in which the case would be appropriate and any notes that would be helpful to the instructor.

Symposium Requirement

Presenters of teaching cases at the Symposium will be expected to present the general background, context, and information about the case. The essential elements of the case need to be presented, including but not limited to the objectives of the teaching case, the key features, the different ways the case can be used, the different courses for which it might be appropriate, as well as the required elements previously mentioned such as instructor notes, suggested answers, and teaching notes. The object of presenting a teaching case at the Symposium is to improve the case by receiving feedback from peers so that presenters should expect constructive comments and suggestions as appropriate.

Potential Case Study Topics

Case studies relating to specific organizations, products/services, and industries are invited. Typical areas for business cases may include: Accounting; Advertising & Promotion Management; Business Education; Business Information Systems (MIS); Business Law, Communication; E-Commerce; Economics; Finance & Investments; Global Business; Health Care Administration; Insurance; Labor Relations & Human Resource Mgt.; Marketing Research; Marketing Theory & Applications; Office Administration/Management; Operations Research/Statistics; Organizational Behavior & Theory; Organizational Development; Production/Operations; Purchasing/Materials Management; Risk; Sales/Selling; Services; Small Business Entrepreneurship; Strategic Management Policy; Technology Innovation; Technology/Innovation; Total Quality Management; Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure; Transportation/Physical Distribution.