Welcome to my blog about cases and the case method, the people who create and use cases, and the ways in which the case method is changing to reflect diverse cultures and technologies. Richard McCracken, Director of ecch

Developing new media
22 December 2008

There is nothing better than a good book. Portable, searchable, forgiving of knocks and spills, accepting of hurriedly scribbled notes, shareable, unthreatening (mostly), user-friendly, unputdownable. If it were just invented it would take the world by storm. In fact, once upon a time (now there's a beginning that's lasted) it did. And lo, then the novel was novel: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ.

The next edition of ECCHO (issue 40) focuses on what we still seem to be calling new media and reviews a number of cases delivered either on fixed digital formats or on-line. The range of cases and the differences between their subjects, locations and the resources used to create them is remarkable. These cases represent valuable steps towards developing forms of multimedia and on-line materials that capture the essence of the case method while avoiding the temptation to merely simulate the print and classroom experience.

One of the most exciting things I've heard about for a long time is the development of multiple point interfaces for computers. Rather like the large transparent projection screens in Minority Report they allow many users to collaborate in a real world by giving them all access to a large projected screen that controls both a PC in their room and can link to multiple PCs with other user groups in other locations. Does that sound like it might suit the case method? Here's a demo from two years ago: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PLhMVNdplJc.

In his blog Doug Clow describes what the educational potential of multiple point interfaces might be: http://dougclow.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/sheep-dalton-how-to-make. I don't pretend to understand it completely but it gives a really interesting flavour of what might be possible (and also hints that those of us wondering how we might convert to XML might not need to bother).


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Three conferences with one theme: the case method
3 December 2008

I attended three conferences in November each of which focused on a different part of the case method.

The ICCP (The International Community of Case Publishers) annual meeting, hosted this year by Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, brought together publishers and clearing houses from around the world to share experience and to work together in making access to cases easier and to promote the growth of the case method. One of the most exciting outcomes of the meeting is the soon to be launched ICCP website which will contain information on good practice on writing and submitting cases, teaching with cases, the principles of intellectual property and rigorous academic research practice. The site will also provide links to professional development courses and workshops for authors and teachers.

NACRA (North American Case Research Association) met in Durham, New Hampshire for an extraordinarily collegiate three days of presentations, case reviews, sharing of best practice and all round support from experienced case teachers and writers to those just starting to put together their first case proposal. NACRA is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote excellence in case research. Although its name suggests it may be limited to North America, I found many delegates from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Europe. I really felt after three days that I had been given unique inside access to the processes of researching, writing and teaching cases.

Finally, to my home town of Belfast for the ISBE (Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) conference on International Entrepreneurship where researchers and business people met to discuss, agree and disagree on how to promote excellence in education, research and practice. It struck me in one session in particular that academic researchers working with small businesses might consider case writing as a possible outcome from their work. One of our award winning cases at the European Case Awards 2008 was the result of such lateral thinking, so check out The EPC Network (I): Putting RFID into Action in the Retail Supply Chain by Michael Barrett and Karl Prince, Cambridge Judge Business School.

So, three conferences with three different constituencies: publishers; researchers, authors and teachers; business people. Each contributing to the same wider discussion - "How can we improve the quality of management education?" and all united in one thing - that the case method is one of the most powerful and effective tools we have at our disposal.

E-mail your comments to directorsblog@ecch.com.

Read other blog entries from 2008