UNCO_LE@RN OER Project Overview - Case Learning

Case study learning is best implemented with higher level undergraduate and graduate students in the form of discussion-based learning. Discussions are a perfect example of the cognitive domain of learning that pulls from experiential learning and provides the best transfer of learning (TOL) for adults.

Classroom Approaches

A good collection of Business Management, Organizational Behavior, Hospitality Management, and Human Resource Development case package is provided by Harvard Business School Publishing. Classic cases such as Cirque du Soleil, Southwest Airlines, Harrah's Entertainment, and Mount Everest 1996 present a foundational platform for informal conversations with students on subjects such as: groups and team dynamics, systems theory, perceptual biases, performer/employee-centric organizations, loyalty effect of customer-based marketing, and others. Students need to open their own free student accounts on the HBSP website, but students must pay for case packets created by instructors. Usually, each case costs around $4.25 for students if the instructor uses a case packet. Organizing students in small learning group nuclei reduces the cost for them.

In this OER, you will find examples of two cases, and their implementation in a 3-credit fully online course in Canvas.

Roberto, M.A., & Carioggia, G.M. (2003). Mount Everest-1996. HBS No. 9-303-061. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.
Delong, T. J., & Vijayaraghavan, V. (2002). Cirque du Soleil. HBS No. 9-403-006. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School.

The discussion of these cases was framed with concepts from an organizational behavior textbook.

Instructors can open a free educator account at Harvard Business Publishing for Educators. Verified educators can download and review cases for free.