Guidelines for the Case Analysis

MBA: Ethics

There are two types of cases that have been assigned for the course.
1. Group cases
2. Individual assignments

Before proceeding, keep in mind the Themes for the course:

a. Ethics
b. Sustainability
c. Corporate Governance

As you look at the cases and the players, let these themes be your judge, your guide to the cases.
They are applicable in both assignments.

A. Group Cases
The group type cases are cases that have been developed by your Instructor. You have
done other cases, so the essential ideas about a case should not be new to you.

You are presented with real, historical events. You must conduct research from credible
sites, books and documents. Gather the central facts and develop a Case Abstract then
Case details outlining the facts and the issues, sub-issues and identify any relationships.

Identify the web of players, their actions and responsibilities. Integrate the learning in the
course into the case. In other words, the context for the evaluation is your learning (Not
all will be relevant for every case). Use the following as a guide but must not be a
substitute for creative research and analysis:
1. What are the Corporate Governance issues
2. Who are the External and Internal Stakeholders
3. What are the Ethical, Legal, Economic, and Philanthropic responsibilities for each
player.
4. Identify and evaluate what the players did or failed to do as develop your solution.
5. Identify and list your recommendations and conclusions.

In order to understand the case, you must research several sources to understand the
context. You might have to look beyond the boundaries of the case. You must learn about
each business/company/government agency and key individual players involved.

You will find some information about these cases in your text book. But you will have to
find other sources to complete your research for facts and key players. You will have to
look at their web sites, and government agencies involved. You must gain an
understanding of the US financial system and the housing market.

For others, you must gain an understanding of the US Stock Market and a bit about how
it works.
 Everyone must learn a bit about asset bubbles, how they gain momentum, and how they
burst and return to normal. You might wish to search and read about the “Dutch Tulip
Bubble” as an example.

B. Individual Assignments
For the Individual assignments, you must read and develop and understand of the case.
The process is similar to the one outlined above, but less intensive in terms of workload. I
sent the following to you already. I am repeating this so you have all guidelines in a
single document.

Problem and Issue Identification

1. What are the central facts of the case? What assumptions are you making about these
facts?

2. What is the major overriding issue in the case? What major question or issues does
this case address that merits study at this point in the course?

3. What sub-issues or related issues are present in the case that merit consideration
now?

Analysis and Evaluation

1. Who are the stakeholders in the case and what are their stakes? What challenges,
threats or opportunities are posed by these stakeholders?

2. What economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities does the company
have, and what is the nature and extent of these responsibilities?

3. If the case involves company actions, evaluate what the company did or did not do in
handling the issue affecting it.

Recommendations

What recommendations do you have for this case? If a company's strategies or actions
are involved, should the company have acted as it did? What action should the company
take now? Why? Be as specific as possible. List several options as well as the pros and
cons of each alternative. Be prepared to discuss why you eliminated those options you
discarded and defend your chosen alternative. Mention and discuss any important
implementation considerations. This last step is crucial because recommendations that
cannot be implemented are worthless.