Assignment
Case Study Reports & Presentations will consist of performance in two areas: Written Analyses submitted to the instructor and Presentations to the class.
Case Study Reports involve organizing and analyzing the facts and developing a course of action that can be supported and defended. In addition to conducting a good analysis of the factual issues involved in the case and grounding the recommendations that you make in management and long-term care theory, case studies will be graded on the extent to which they evidence creativity, innovation, and originality. We encourage you to really get into the cases. You are encouraged to use debates, controversy, and other techniques to make them come alive, enhance your learning, and involve you in the issue. Again, you must document extensively using parenthetical footnotes. Do not use number footnotes or endnotes. Parenthetical footnotes include the author(s) name and the date and if you are using a direct quote the page(s) number. The purpose of the Case Study method is to acquaint you with the complexity of long-term care management and socialize you to a flexible, problem-solving approach to management issues. Essentially, while there are a number of theories that can serve as guides, most management problems do not have a specific, easy to identify best solution. Robert D. Behns (1988), of Harvard Kennedy School of Government, refers to the necessity of learning to manage by "groping along" because each management task is different, providing new challenges and opportunities. Alan A. Altshuler (1988), also of Harvard Kennedy School of Government, refers to management as a "complex craft ... with a near-infinite variety of unpredictable circumstances" (p. 665).
We as a Faculty in the Division of Health Sciences believe that the Case Study approach is well suited to preparing students for the art of managing. Rather than mastering discrete facts, the Case Study approach forces students to confront conflicting options; juggle organizational, political, ethical, and practical realities; take risks; and make mistakes. In short, it prepares you for the complexities of managerial work. Cases should also promote interesting discussions and dynamic interactions between class participants.
Although learning to deal with ambiguity is beneficial, a few guidelines for analyzing the cases are in order. Case Study analysis should be comprehensive, systematic, and rational. Use the following as a general outline for issues to be dealt with (Adapted from Infeld & Kress, Cases in long-term care management, vol.1 Building the continuum, 1989; vol.2 Leadership challenges in managing change, 1995).
1. Essential background information: What are the facts of this case? What are the relevant issues; who are the key players?
2. What are the issues in this case: what is at stake? What are the primary problems and their components? If possible, describe these in terms of their priority. How are the problems interrelated? Who controls the solutions? Do the solutions of one problem have implications for other areas? If so what are they and how does this impact the case as a whole?
3. What theories are useful in assessing the case? In what way? This part of the analyses asks you to remove yourself from the personalities of the case and to think about the case conceptually. (This often requires supplemental reading and investigation.)
4. What else do you need to know and what are your strategies for obtaining needed information (i.e., bring in a consultant, conduct a needs assessment or a budget analysis)? (Generally you will be asked to identify with a specific role in the case, most often the manager.)
5. What do you presume to be the possible courses of action? What are the anticipated consequences (i.e., the benefits and liabilities of each)?
6. Based on the options that you have delineated, what do you consider to be the best course of action? Ground your answer in theory and also present logical arguments based on the facts of the case. Include a systematic presentation of the strategies that you would pursue.
Case Study Reports should be 5 pages long and single or 1.5-spaced with 1-in margins. The following criteria will be used to grade your case. The case summary and case analysis should each be about 2 ! pages - not mixed together. In order to receive an A, the analysis should be: comprehensive, logical, justified and well documented, original and innovative, and well executed.
Attachment:- Case-Summary-Chapter-6.rar