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Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why are we required to do this?Most masters degrees require students to pass comprehensive exams and to complete a thesis before graduating. Completion of BSAD 8800: Policy, Planning & Strategy with a grade of "B" or better is considered equivalent to completion of the comprehensive exam. A thesis is not required in most MBA programs due to the applied rather than theoretical nature of the degree. To some extent, the integrative business case requirement completes the requirements for a graduate degree. Students who wish to write a thesis do not normally take BSAD 8800 and would not write an integrative business case. Other objectives include the following:
We recommend that students choose publicly traded firms (to ensure availability of financial information) that are not diversified (having less than 3 SIC codes). Students are advised NOT to choose their employer as the focus of their analysis. This is done to prevent problems due to the use of insider information. In the past, we have had students who were unable to submit their completed assignments for grading due to the confidential information they contained. Students are encouraged to analyze a competitor of their firm if they wish to utilize their knowledge of the industry to enhance their work. Choosing less diversified or less complex firms also significantly simplifies the analysis that needs to be done. For example, an analysis of a firm like Ben & Jerry's would focus on the ice cream manufacturing industry, whereas an analysis of Berkshire Hathaway might need to focus on the insurance, shoes, furniture retailing, jewelry retailing, airlines, soft drink, etc. industries in order to be successful. Students must register their firm on the MBA website. Only one student may work on an individual firm while in the program. Once a student graduates, the student's firm is released for others to choose. Q: What assignments that relate to the case requirement are being done in other courses? Instructors of all core MBA courses are asked to develop an assignment in their course that assists students in developing their firm portfolio. The nature of the assignment depends on the course objectives and the instructor's course design. Sample assignments and the associated instructor are shown below:
Students should have copies of any of the resource materials used to complete the assignments listed above in a file or firm portfolio. This might include resources such as annual reports, 10-Ks, magazine or newspaper articles, Internet-based resources (remember to print them as some Internet sources "disappear" after a short period), books, copies of the completed assignments, etc. These resources might cover the firm, its competitors or its industry. Students should maintain files of all of their research on the firm throughout their MBA studies and add to it as they find new information. Q: What does a completed case assignment look like? The integrative business case will be similar to the type of cases that might be found in the Harvard Business Review or in strategy textbooks. Completed cases have the following characteristics:
Q: Can students publish their cases? Interested students can seek to publish their cases in case journals or textbooks. Students may also present their cases at national case conferences such as the North American Case Research Association conference (NACRA). Typically, students will need to enlist the support of a faculty member to pursue publication as the process may take six months to a year to complete and may entail many revisions to the case before it is accepted for publication. Plans are underway to create a case competition to select the best cases for presentation at conferences. Winning students may receive some financial support to attend the conference and present their cases. Q: When should I start writing the case? Most of the actual writing of the case is completed during the semester the student enrolls in BSAD 8800. Students will look over their firm portfolios and define a strategic issue (see above) to feature as the focus of the case. The final case is typically due at the end of the semester, although drafts may be submitted prior to the actual due date. Q: Who can I talk to if I have other questions about the case requirement? Dr. Rebecca Morris, instructor for BSAD 8800 and an experienced case writer would be glad to answer any questions you may have about the requirement. She can be reached by email at Rmorris@unomaha.edu or by phone at 554-3542. |
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