Case Study: Can Nice Guys Finish First? (By Jeffrey Pfeffer)
Executive Summary: • Identify the key problems and issues in the case study
• Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1-2 sentences.
• Summarize the recommended plan of action and include a brief justification of the recommended plan
• One to two paragraphs in length
Statement of the problem: • State the problems facing the manager/key person
• Identify and link the symptoms and root causes of the problems
• Differentiate short-term from long-term problems
• Conclude with the decision facing the manager/key person
• This section should be between ½ to¾ page in length
Cause of the problem: • Provide a detailed analysis of the problems identified in the Statement of the Problem
• In the analysis, apply theories and models from the text and/or readings
• Support conclusions and/or assumptions with specific references to the case and/or the readings
• This section should be between ½ to ¾page in length
Decison criteria and alternative solutions: • Identify criteria against which you evaluate alternative solutions (i.e. time for implementation, tangible costs, acceptability to management)
• Outline possible alternatives (not necessarily all of them)
• Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative against the criteria listed
• Explain why alternatives were rejected
• Suggest additional pros/cons, if appropriate
• This section should be between ½ to ¾page in length.