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M2a Understanding and Analyzing Business Case Analysis (Student Version) (Updated Aug 2021)
M2a Understanding and Analyzing Business Case Analysis (Student Version) (Updated Aug 2021)
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MODULE 2 MEETINGS
OBJECTIVES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
RECOMMENDED READING
Ellet, W. (2007). The case study handbook: How to read, discuss, and write
persuasively about cases. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.
Erskine, J.A., Leenders, M.R., & Mauffette-Leenders, L.A. (2003). Teaching with
cases (3rd ed.). London, ON: Ivey.
Holden, G. (2011). Business reports for busy people. Pompton plains. NJ: Career
Press.
Module 2a_Understanding and Analyzing Business Cases (Student Version) updated Aug 2021
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Kolin, P. C. (2013). Successful writing at work (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
Kuiper, S., & Clippinger, D. A. (2013). Contemporary business reports (5th ed.).
Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
1. Do you have experience analyzing any business cases? Please share within
your group.
2. How did you come up with a set of recommendations for the case?
3. Were there challenges you encountered in cracking the case? How did you
overcome the challenges?
Module 2a_Understanding and Analyzing Business Cases (Student Version) updated Aug 2021
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Read the case analysis Training Needs Assessment of the McDonald’s Corporate
Restaurants. In your group, discuss the case analysis, answer the following
questions and provide suggestions for improvements (Language & Content).
Summary
In the fast food industry, it is not uncommon for customers to expect
unsatisfactory service. Quality is becoming one of the widely addressed concerns
among these types of restaurant chains. Since it has become a common standard
for chains such as Burger King and McDonald’s to underperform in terms of
service and quality. The only “justifiable ” reasons for this are the low costs of
food and the quick service, hence being deemed a “fast food” restaurant. Other
widely known facts regarding these establishments are the minimal level of
qualifications required for holding a job, and the level of pay that reflects it.
Many of the employees that work in this type of industry know that this is not an
ideal career. Many workers have minimal education and/ or work experience,
and are often younger. The quality of food and the competence of the employees
is also evident of this. For this training needs assessment, I will be discussing
possible outcomes in modifying the training program of McDonald’s corporate
restaurants.
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Outcome 1
As minimum wage gradually increases, the difference in pay between common
crew members and their floor supervisors will also decrease. Many fast food
chains, including McDonald’s, start their crew members close to minimum wage,
which does not significantly affect their prices (Katz & Krueger, 1992). This lack
of price change is mainly reflected in the salary cuts of higher-ups within the
company. When employees are not making enough money for the stress and fast-
paced labor that they are required to endure, they will naturally feel less inclined
to do a good job. This also applies to trainers and employees in positions of
authority. If workers are paid appropriate wages, they will likely be motivated to
work harder.
Outcome 2
Training programs of many fast food chains are very simplistic and not taken
seriously very often. At McDonald’s new crew members are required to watch
videos before watching other people do their job. In many instances, job training
is not enforced thoroughly. If a program in which verifiable progress is being
made, new employees will likely face less confusion in their position.
Outcome 3
The quality of fast food is one of the most notable consequences of consuming it.
It is common for unmotivated employees to not take their personal hygiene
seriously. In turn, this negatively affects the sanitation and quality of the food
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(Egan, 2007). When food service establishments take the time to enforce thorough
and basic sanitation procedures, the quality and safety of their products is
ensured.
Expected Performance
When employees are appropriately compensated and standards are strictly
enforced, the quality of service will likely improve. Fast food establishments are
no exception. In order for customers to receive satisfactory service and products,
employees must be properly trained, properly motivated, and all products
should be cooked and distributed safely.
References
Bradford, H. (2013, February 1). Chipotle Salary Can Top $95,000 Annually.
Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/01/chipotle-
salary_n_2601611.html
Egan, M. B. (2007). A review of food safety and food hygiene training studies in
the commercial sector. Food Control, 18(10), 1180-1190.
Katz, L., & Krueger, A. (1992). The Effect of the Minimum Wage on the Fast Food
Industry. doi:10.3386/w3997
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Additional information on business case analysis samples:
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In order to help you understand what a business case analysis is like before you
submit the Business Case Analysis assignment, you will conduct a business case
analysis, in a group of four.
Assume that your group is writing an analysis report based on the discussion
questions of a case study. The following case and discussion questions of the case
are provided below:
Case study: Josh Hardy and the #SaveJosh Army: How Corporate Risk Escalates and
Accelerates through Social Media
On March 5, biotechnology company Chimerix refused to provide a potentially life-saving drug to 7-year
old Josh Hardy who was battling cancer. The drug had not yet received FDA approval, and the company
had discontinued its “compassionate use” program to dedicate resources to Phase 3 testing of the drug.
One week later, following a massive social media onslaught that captured national attention, the company
relented.
We ask:
1. Why aren’t more companies prepared to deal with the reputational risks that emerge through online
channels?
2. How should information gathered from social media outlets be used to supplement a comprehensive risk
management program?
3. Are stories such as this one a board-level issue? If so, at what point do they become one?
4. *If Chimerix were your company, what would you do differently here in Hong Kong?
*The last question has been modified from the original in order for students to consider cultural
differences
Topics: Corporate governance; Social media; Monitoring; Reputation risks; Corporate risk
management
Source: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/gsb/files/publication-pdf/cgri-closer-look-40-hardy-
josh.pdf
Here are more questions your group may consider regarding analyzing the Josh
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Hardy case:
C A S E A N A LY S I S OF JOSH HARDY
Discuss and brainstorm the Josh Hardy case in your group and fill in the notes in
the following boxes. Limit your notes to about 200-300 words.
1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
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3 . R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S AND CONCLUSION
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