Case study

A case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon
within its real-life context. Case studies are based on an in-depth investigation of a single
individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles.
It is a descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group or event. Case studies are analysis
of persons, groups, events, decisions, periods, policies, institutions or other systems that are
studied holistically by one or more methods (2018).A case study is an empirical inquiry that
investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth and within its real-life context, especially
when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident (Yin 2009).
Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in social and life sciences. There is no one
definition of case study research.1However, very simply ‘a case study can be defined as an
intensive study about a person, a group of people or a unit, which is aimed to generalize over
several units’. A case study has also been described as an intensive, systematic investigation of a
single individual, group, community or some other unit in which the researcher examines in-
depth data relating to several variables (Heale & Twycross, 2017). Data collected and analyzed
about large and often not predetermined features of each unit. Interest is naturally occurring
features or the variables in context. Data can be quantitative, qualitative or both. Aim is to
understand and theorize through enfolding the literature (Gomm et al., 2000). Researchers may
study a single case or multiple cases. In multiple case studies, researchers study cases in depth
individually as well as look across cases for similarities and differences.
Types
There are several different types of case studies, as well as several types of subjects of case
studies. Under the more generalized category of case study exist several subdivisions, each of
which is custom selected for use depending upon the goals and/or objectives of the investigator.
These types of case study include the following:
Illustrative Case Studies
These are primarily descriptive studies. They typically utilize one or two instances of an event to
show what a situation is like. Illustrative case studies serve primarily to make the unfamiliar
familiar and to give readers a common language about the topic in question.
Exploratory (or pilot) Case Studies
These are condensed case studies performed before implementing a large scale investigation.
Their basic function is to help identify questions and select types of measurement prior to the
main investigation. The primary pitfall of this type of study is that initial findings may seem
convincing enough to be released prematurely as conclusions.
Cumulative Case Studies
These serve to aggregate information from several sites collected at different times. The idea
behind these studies is the collection of past studies will allow for greater generalization without
additional cost or time being expended on new, possibly repetitive studies.
Critical Instance Case Studies
These examine one or more sites for either the purpose of examining a situation of unique
interest with little to no interest in generalizability, or to call into question or challenge a highly
generalized or universal assertion. This method is useful for answering cause and effect
questions.
Multiple-Case Studies or Collective Studies

Multiple case or collective studies use information from different studies to formulate the case
for a new study. The use of past studies allows additional information without needing to spend
more time and money on additional studies. Furthermore, this type of study could uncover
differences as well

Instrumental

An instrumental case study uses a case to gain insights into a phenomenon. For example, a
researcher interested in child obesity rates might set up a study with middle school students and
an exercise program. In this case, the children and the exercise program are not the focus. The
focus is learning the relationship between children and exercise, and why certain children
become obese.

Regardless of the type of case study, data collection method or data analysis method, all case
studies have advantages and disadvantages. The following list discusses the potential benefits
and limitations associated with using case study research methods:

Advantages:

 Case studies are more flexible than many other types of research and allow the researcher
to discover and explore as the research develops.
 Case studies emphasize in-depth content. The researcher is able to delve deep and use a
variety of data sources to get a complete picture.
 The data is collected in a natural setting and context.
 Often leads to the creation of new hypotheses that can be tested later.
 Case studies often shed new light on an established theory that results in further
exploration.
 Researchers are able to study and analyze situations, events and behaviors that could be
created in a laboratory setting.
Disadvantages:

 The uniqueness of the data usually means that it is not able to be replicated.
 Case studies have some level of subjectivity and researcher bias may be a problem.
 Because of the in-depth nature of the data, it is not possible to conduct the research on a
large scale.
 There are concerns about the reliability, validity and generalizability of the results.
Common Methods used in Case Study Research

The goal of case study research is to understand the complexity of a case in the most
complete way possible. For this reason, case study research often involves the use of multiple
methods for collecting data. By using multiple sources of data (and both qualitative and
quantitative data) researchers may attain the richest possible understanding of a case. The
qualitative methods described below are all likely to be used in case study research.
 Participant Observation. This involves the researcher immersing him or herself in the
daily lives and routines of those being studied. This often requires extensive work in
the setting being studied. This is called fieldwork. Observation provides insight into
the behavior patterns and social organizations that operate and constitute a particular
bounded system or case.
 Interviewing. Researchers will learn about the person or persons that are part of the
case by speaking with these people. Talking with informants
is called interviewing. The types of interviews conducted by researchers vary in degree
of formality (informal interview to semi-structured to structured interviews).
 Collection of Artifacts and Texts. Researchers may also learn about a bounded system
by collecting and studying artifacts (e.g. written protocols, charts, flow sheets,
educational handouts) - materials used by members of the system or case being studied
(Merriam, 1998).
Purpose of Case Study
The general purpose of a case study is to:
→ Describe an individual situation (case), e.g. a person, business, organization, or institution, in
detail; → identify the key issues of the case (your assignment question should tell you what to
focus on)
→ Analyze the case using relevant theoretical concepts from your unit or discipline
→ Recommend a course of action for that particular case (particularly for problem-solving case
studies).
Steps of Case Study
The seven steps employed in a case study approach, namely:
(1) Justification for the research paradigm and research methodology
(2) Justification for the case study method
(3) Criteria for judging the quality of case study design
(4) Designing the case study
(5) Criteria for selecting a case design
(6) Data collection
(7) Case study analysis.
Case Study Process
1. Information Gathering

I do my homework before ever starting a project. I learn about your solutions and services, and
talk with you to determine the goal of your case studies, the audience, and the key ideas that are
important to feature. We also settle on the best format and length of the cases.

2. Strategic Question Development

I develop a customer interview questionnaire with the goal of getting customer comments to
dovetail with your value proposition and to get strong return on investment metrics. That
questionnaire is then customized for each customer interview.
3. Interviewing

 First, I gather background information on each project from someone within your
organization – the person most familiar with the customer’s history and experience with
your company.
 Next, I conduct interviews with customer contacts.

4. Review and Approval

 I develop a case study draft and send it to you for review and input.
 Then I send the polished draft to the featured customer for approval and any edits,
checking back until approval is secured.
 I deliver a completed, finalized draft to you.

5. Design/Layout – Optional

If desired, my designer can flow your case study into an attractive layout that you can email or
print for live events.

Sector

A sector is one of a few general segments in the economy within which a large group of
companies can be categorized. An economy can be broken down into about a dozen sectors,
which can describe nearly all of the business activity in that economy. For example, the basic
materials sector is the segment of the economy in which companies deal in the business of
exploration, processing and selling the basic materials such as gold, silver or aluminum which
are used by other sectors of the economy. In economics, the business sector or corporate sector is
"the part of the economy made up by companies". It is a subset of the domestic economy,
excluding the economic activities of general government, of private households, and of non-
profit organizations serving individuals.

Public sector

The Public Sector is usually comprised of organizations that are owned and operated by the
government and exist to provide services for its citizens. Major areas include Education
(Schools, Libraries), Electricity, Emergency Services, Fire Service, Gas and Oil, Healthcare,
Telecommunication, Agriculture, Banking, Insurance etc.
Private Sector
The section of a nation's economy, which owned and controlled by private individuals or
companies is known as Private Sector. Major areas are Finance, Information Technology,
Mining, Transport, Education, Telecommunication, Manufacturing, Banking, Construction,
Pharmaceuticals etc.
Types of sector
The primary, secondary and tertiary sectors represent various business types and the goods they
produce and sell. It's easiest to think of them as a chain of production, from extracting the raw
materials (primary) through manufacturing (secondary) and finally to servicing the end
consumers (tertiary). Each sector relies on the others to function properly and efficiently within
the economy. Under the three-sector economic theory, every job, in every industry, falls into one
or more of these sector types.

Primary Sector Extracts Raw Materials

The primary sector of the economy can be classified as the "extractive" industry. These include
the industries that produce or extract raw materials. Farmers are an example of primary sector
workers, as food items are collected as raw materials, such as wheat and milk, are taken from the
farm and made into other products such as bread and cheese. Other industries include the mining
industries, such as coal, iron ore or oil, which extract the raw materials from the ground that will
be converted into other useful items. In traditional economies, the primary sector usually
represents the largest sector of employment.

Secondary Sector Manufactures and Assembles Goods

The secondary sector of the economy is comprised of the manufacturing industries. The
manufacturing industries take raw materials and produce products. For example, the steel can be
used to manufacture cars. Carpenters take wood and make homes, furniture and cabinetry. Not
all manufacturing companies manufacture a complete product. Semi-manufacturing companies
produce parts to be used in other products that have several stages of production, such as
automobiles. The secondary sector is usually strongest in so-called "transitional" economies that
are changing from traditional to market economies.

Tertiary Sector Refers to Commercial Services

The tertiary sector of the economy is the service industry. Service companies do not provide a
physical good like the primary or secondary sectors do, but they still provide value. For example,
banks, insurance and the police all are examples of the service industry. Industries included in
the primary or secondary sectors will typically have employees that provide tertiary services
such as advertising, accountants and warehousing employees. The tertiary sector is usually
strongest in advanced market economies.
 Quaternary Sector
The quaternary sector is said to the intellectual aspect of the economy. It includes
education, training, the development of technology, and research and development. It is the
process which enables entrepreneurs to innovate better manufacturing processes and improve
the quality of services offered in the economy. Without this growth of technology and
information, economic development would be slow or non-existent.

 Quinary sector
The quinary sector is the part of the economy where the top level decisions are made.
This includes the government which passes legislation. It also comprises the top decision
makers in industry, commerce and also the education sector.
Industry
Industry is the production of goods or related services within an economy. The major source of
revenue of a group or company is the indicator of its relevant industry.[2] When a large group has
multiple sources of revenue generation, it is considered to be working in different industries. The
manufacturing or technically productive enterprises in a particular field, country, region, or
economy viewed collectively, or one of these individually. A single industry is often named after
its principal product; for example, the auto industry. For statistical purposes, industries are
categorized generally according a uniform classification code such as Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC).

Types of Industry
Manufacturing Industry: Manufacturing industries are engaged in transforming raw material
into finished product with the help of machines and manpower. The finished goods can be either
consumer goods or producer goods e.g textiles, chemicals, sugar industry, paper industry, etc.
Construction Industry: Construction industries take up the work of construction of buildings,
bridges, roads, dams, canals, etc. This industry is different from all other types of industry
because in case of other industries goods can be produced at one place and sold at another place.
But goods produced and sold by constructive industry are erected at one place.
Service Industry: In modern times service sector plays an important role in the development of
the nation and therefore it is named as service industry. The main industries, which fall under
this category, include hotel industry, tourism industry, entertainment industry, etc.
Primary Industry: Primary industry is concerned with production of goods with the help of
nature. It is a nature-oriented industry, which requires very little human effort. e.g. Agriculture,
farming, forestry, fishing, horticulture, etc.
Genetic Industry: Genetic industries are engaged in re-production and multiplication of certain
spices of plants and animals with the object of sale. The main aim is to earn profit from such
sale. E.g. plant nurseries, cattle rearing, poultry, cattle breeding, etc.
Extractive Industry: Extractive industry is concerned with extraction or drawing out goods
from the soil, air or water. Generally products of extractive industries come in raw form and they
are used by manufacturing and construction industries for producing finished products. e.g.
mining industry, coal mineral, oil industry, iron ore, extraction of timber and rubber from forests,
etc.

Importance of Industries
Increase in National Income
Industrialization makes possible the best utilization of the limited resources of the country. It
helps in increasing the quantity and quality of various kinds of manufactured goods and thus
makes larger contribution to gross national product.
High Standard of Living
The Industrialization helps in increasing the value of output per work. The living standard of the
people is improved with the help of industrialization.
Economic Stability
Industrialization is the best way of providing economic stability to the country. A nation which
depends upon the production and export of raw material alone cannot achieve a fast rate of
economic growth. Many of the opportunities of investment is provided to the people.

Improvement of Balance of Payment

It helps in increasing the export of manufactured goods and thus earns foreign exchange. On the
other hand, the processing of raw material at home limits the import of goods and helps in saving
foreign exchange.
Progress in other sectors
Industrialization encourages progress in other sectors of the economy. A development of one
industry leads to the development and expansion of the other industries.
Increase in Employment
Industrialization increases employment in the country. It also provides investment opportunity to
the people and savings of the people increase.

Specialization
The industrial labor force is more skilled and specializes than in the agriculture sector because
industrialization promotes specialization and skill of the labor.

Increase in agriculture production

Industrialization provides machinery like tractors, threshers, harvesters, bulldozers, transport,
spray etc to be used in the farm sector.
Simple to control industrial activity
The industry activity compared to agriculture is easy to control. The industrial production can be
expand or cut down according to the prices, cost and demand of the product.
Technological progress
Industrialization provides larger possibility for on the job training and technological progress.
The use of advanced technology increase the scale of production reduces cost of production and
improves quality of product.
Control of population
Industrialization leads to migration of surplus labor from farm sector to the industries mostly
situated in urban areas. In cities, improved facilities of sanitation and health care are available.
Increase in investment
Industrialization increases the income of the workers. It improves their capacity to save. It
provides investment opportunity to the people.
Reduces pressure on land
The establishment and expansion of industries lessens the excessive pressure of labour forces
from the agriculture sector.

Increase in Govt Income

Industrialization increases the supply of goods both for internal and external markets. The export
of goods provides foreign exchange. It also provides benefit and income to the Govt.

Price Stability
The price stability can be maintained in the market with the help of production of industrial
products. More production of industrial sector removes the shortage of supply of goods.

Use of Raw Material

Raw material produced in the agricultural sector can be utilized in industrial sector, which not
only removes wastage of raw material but also supports the agricultural sector.
Use of Natural Resources
The natural resources are underutilized in developing countries. These natural resources can be
best utilized with the help of improved industrial techniques.
Political Control
Industrial development provides political control to a nation. Countries like U.S.A, Japan, China
and U.K are among the nations of the world because of their industrial achievement along with
scientific development and progress.

Organization
Louis Allen, “Organization is the process of identifying and grouping work to be performed,
defining and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for the
purpose of enabling people to work most effectively together in accomplishing objectives.”
Koontz and O’Donnell, ‘The establishment of authority relationships with provision for co-
ordination between them, both vertically and horizontally in the enterprise structure.” According
to Keith Davis, “Organization may be defined as a group of individuals, large of small, that is
cooperating under the direction of executive leadership in accomplishment of certain common
object.” According to Chester I. Barnard, “Organization is a system of co-operative activities of
two or more persons.” According to Louis A. Allen, “Organization is the process of identifying
and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority, and
establishing relationship for the purpose of enabling people to work most effectively together in
accomplishing objectives. “According to Mooney and Railey, “Organization is the form of every
human association for the attainment of a common purpose.”
Characteristics / Features of Organization
The main characteristics or Features of organization are as follows:
Identifying and Enumerating the Activities: After the objective is selected, the management
has to identify total task involved and its break-up closely related component activities that are to
be performed by and individual or division or a department.

Assigning the Duties: When activities have been grouped according to similarities and common
purposes, they should be organized. Within the department, the functional duties should be
allotted to particular individuals.
Defining and Granting the Authority: The authority and responsibility should be well defined
and should correspond to each other. A close relationship between authority and responsibility
should be established.
Creating Authority Relationship: After assigning the duties and delegations of authority, the
establishment of relationship is done. It involves deciding who will act under whom, who will be
his subordinates, what will be his span of control and what will be his status in the organization.
Besides these formal relationships, some informal organizations should also be developed.
Different Types of Organizational Structure
Organizations are set up in specific ways to accomplish different goals, and the structure of an
organization can help or hinder its progress toward accomplishing these goals. Organizations
large and small can achieve higher sales and other profit by properly matching their needs with
the structure they use to operate. There are three main types of organizational structure:
functional structure, divisional structure and a blend of the two, called matrix structure.
Functional Structure
Functional structure is set up so that each portion of the organization is grouped according to its
purpose. In this type of organization, for example, there may be a marketing department, a sales
department and a production department. The functional structure works very well for small
businesses in which each department can rely on the talent and knowledge of its workers and
support itself. However, one of the drawbacks to a functional structure is that the coordination
and communication between departments can be restricted by the organizational boundaries of
having the various departments working separately.
Divisional Structure
Divisional structure typically is used in larger companies that operate in a wide geographic area
or that have separate smaller organizations within the umbrella group to cover different types of
products or market areas. For example, the now-defunct Tecumseh Products Company was
organized divisionally--with a small engine division, a compressor division, a parts division and
divisions for each geographic area to handle specific needs. Divisional structure is costly because
of its size and scope. Small businesses can use a divisional structure on a smaller scale, having
different offices in different parts of the city, for example, or assigning different sales teams to
handle different geographic areas.
Matrix Structure
The third main type of organizational structure, called the matrix structure, is a hybrid of
divisional and functional structure. Typically used in large multinational companies, the matrix
structure allows for the benefits of functional and divisional structures to exist in one
organization. This can create power struggles because most areas of the company will have a
dual management--a functional manager and a product or divisional manager working at the
same level and covering some of the same managerial territory.
Theories: There are several organizational theories
Classic Organizational Theory
Bureaucratic Organizational Theory
Functional specification Organizational Theory
Human Relations Organization Theory
Systems Theory
Classic Organizational Theory
Specialization
Unity of direction
Functional specification
Chain of command
Parity between authority and responsibility
Span of control
Bureaucratic Organization Theory
Task should be divided among various position holder on the criteria of their abilities.
Position should be organized in a hierarchical structure of authority.
Official decisions and actions should be governed by a formally established system of rules and
regulations. Employment and promotions in the organization should be based on the
universalistic criterion of abilities.
Modern Structural Organization Theory
1. Established objectives through control and coordination.
2. There is a “best” structure for any organization in light of objectives, environment, products or
services and the technology of the production process.
3. Specialization and division of labor increase the quality and quantity of production.
4. Organic –More participation, more reliance on workers and best in dynamic conditions.
Human Relations Organization Theory
Group oriented management
Team work  Voluntary cooperation
Self -control
Group decision making
Hierarchical coordination and control
Task specialization
Systems Theory
Systems theory views an organization as a complex set of dynamically intertwined and
interconnected elements including inputs, processes, outputs, feedback loops and the
environment.
System Theory by Maslows
Physiological Needs
Safety Needs
Needs of Love
Needs for Esteem
Needs for Self-Actualization
Importance of organization: The significance or main advantages of organization are as
follows:

 It Facilitated Administration and management:

Organization is an important and the only tool to achieve enterprise goals set b
administration and explained by management. A sound organization increases efficiency,
avoids delay and duplication of work, increases managerial efficiency, increases
promptness, motivates employees to perform their responsibility.
 It Help in the Growth of Enterprise:
Good organization is helpful to the growth, expansion and diversifications of the
enterprise.
 It Ensures Optimum Use of Human Resources:
Good organization establishes persons with different interests, skills, knowledge
and viewpoints.
 It Stimulates Creativity:
A sound and well-conceived organization structure is the source of creative
thinking and initiation of new ideas.
 A Tool of Achieving Objectives:
Organization is a vital tool in the hands of the management for achieving set
objectives of the business enterprise.
 Prevents Corruption:
Usually corruption exists in those enterprises which lack sound organization.
Sound organization prevents corruption by raising the morale of employees. They are
motivated to work with greater efficiency, honesty and devotion.
 Co-ordination in the Enterprises:
Different jobs and positions are welded together by structural relationship of the
organization. The organizational process exerts its due and balanced emphasis on the co-
ordination of various activities.
References
Definition Of Case Study
https://www.pressacademia.org/definition-of-case-study/

What Is a Case Study?

Roberta Heale-Alison Twycross - https://ebn.bmj.com/content/21/1/7
Understanding the Different Types Of Case Studies
https://www.universalclass.com/articles/business/case-studies-types.htm
Writing@csu
https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/page.cfm?pageid=1290&guideid=60
School of Business. (2016). 200855 Leadership in a Complex World [Learning Guide, Autumn
2016]. Western Sydney University.
sasaSchool of Nursing and Midwifery. (2015). 401006 Bioscience 2 [Learning Guide, Spring
2015]. Western Sydney University
Personal growth: seven essential steps
Stephen Prosser - Effective People
What Is the Public Sector? Definition & Examples
http://www.privacysense.net/terms/public-sector/
What Are Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Economic Sectors?
Michael Carpenter - https://bizfluent.com/info-8564100-primary-secondary-tertiary-sectors.html
Education
Ali Haider - http://dsc1education.blogspot.com/2015/07/economics-of-pakistan-bcom.html
Organization: Meaning, Definition, Concepts and Characteristics
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/organization/organization-meaning-definition-concepts-and-
characteristics/53217
Basic Definition Of Organization
https://managementhelp.org/organizations/definition.htm
Different Types Of Organizational Structure | Chron.com
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/different-types-organizational...
http%3a%2f%2fwww.historystudies.net%2fdergi%2f%2fbirinci-dunya-savasinda-bir-asayis-
sorunu-sebinkarahisar-ermeni-isyani20181092a4a8f.pdf
Nadir Yurtoğlu - History Studies International Journal of History – 2018
Comparison
Mass Pharma
Mass Pharma is a pharmaceutical company and it has been involved in the sale and marketing of
pharmaceutical products since the last two decades. This company has achieved highest cGMP
standards including ISO 9001:2008 certification. Mass Pharma believe in producing vast range
of pharmaceutical products to general masses at reasonably affordable price thereby enabling
them to live a healthy and fuller life.

Haleeb

Haleeb Foods Pvt. Ltd. is one of those few leading national companies. . Apart from milk
products, Haleeb also produces different kinds of beverages such as fresh fruit juices. The
company is earning high profits and as a result it is sponsoring the welfare of children as it runs
about 600 schools in different parts of the country. It is a major shareholder in the food industry
of Pakistan. Haleeb Foods is a Customer Oriented and social responsible Company. Haleeb is not
selling its products only in Pakistan but they are exporting their products to other countries like
America, East Asia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Europe

Shezan

Shezan International Limited is a Pakistani beverage manufacturer based in Lahore. It is the

largest beverage company in Pakistan. It is a part of Shahnawaz Group. Since its inception in
1964, Shezan has produced various products including soft drinks, juices, ketchups, and jams.
The company is also the single largest grower of mangoes in Pakistan, and employs roughly
1,000 persons. Their mission is to provide the highest quality fruit and vegetable related juices
and products to retail and food service customers. It is the objective of Shezan International
Limited to produce and provide products and services of the highest quality.