Learning At SOIL Through The Case Study Method

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Learning At SOIL Through The Case Study Method

11 Jul 2022
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Case Study

The concept OF NASH EQUILIBRIUM is central togame theory, economics, and other social sciences. Applied to Management, learning theories are restricted to model thought processes. However, in repeated interaction, the participants have enough time to observe the behavior/ strategy of their opponents which leads to Nash equilibrium. In other words, bounded learning leads to correlated equilibrium.

The business world, however, requires one to combine multiple strategic approaches that combine different strategies in complex scenarios and in unknown conditions that keep changing. Additionally, there are varied sets of competitors that add to the situational complexity.

In real business life, people often don’t play games at equilibrium, which traditional management education seems to disregard. There are multiple equilibria or disequilibrium strategies and multiple inflection points where strategies intersect. This brings us to a situation where traditional learning through classroom lectures and books often is found wanting in real-life business situations.

The Case Study Method At SOIL – Tackling The Disequilibrium

The case method is a discussion of real-life situations or issues that business executives have faced in the past. The purpose of the case study is not for the students to reach a conclusion, but to provide a framework and understanding of how people use the same information sets to arrive at different conclusions. The thinking HAT is activated and creativity comes to the fore. As the discussion moderates, students learn to appreciate the actual decisions that were made in the relevant context. Thus, the case discussion method provides a platform for the students to debate, explore, and learn.

The learning outcomes in the Case Discussion Method multiply and students can relate the material and concepts to real-life situations. Besides, as students come up with fresh perspectives, it provides them the confidence to engage with their peers. It also helps them to appreciate others’ viewpoints. Truly, learning that challenges your grey cells. In the bargain, students can carry forth experiences that can be applied and used for a lifetime in their careers.

The Mechanics Of A Case Discussion

As students go through the theoretical concepts, they are simultaneously made to participate in case discussions. Students are divided into smaller groups of five or six and each group is given a separate case to work on. Diversity in the groups is key and each member brings a unique perspective to the table. Students discuss the case at length, analyze and come up with decisions/ suggestions to tackle the issues therein. Finally, they are required to present in the classroom and suggest a course of action.

Multiple Inflection Points

Discovering a new way to explore a problem and considering possible solutions is rewarding and transforms the students’ thought process by exposing them to a new dimension in learning. The incredibly diverse cultural and functional backgrounds bring forth a learning curve that would not be possible through traditional learning methods. Since there is no script in the classroom, the learning trajectory is unique and rewarding. Some of the key takeaways of this method and how it inculcates a new dimension in learning:
- Introspection – The student is role-playing the protagonist who has to take a call as he goes through a decision-making process that could affect others. As he encounters a variety of contexts, an introspective approach kicks in.
- Group dynamics – Since students work in close quarters with a small group of diverse individuals, unique experiences come into play. The realization that there are many different ways to look at and tackle a business problem is an enriching experience.
- Next Level Classroom Learning – While faculty mentoring is a constant process in case discussion, no direct answers are provided. Interaction with diverse sets of students, debating, presenting views, countering others, and building on interactions takes learning to the next level.
- Post Classroom Dynamics – Learning continues and amplifies as informal discussions beyond the classroom happen. These inculcate continual thinking and knowledge distilling experiences that students take away and apply in business situations later in life.
Conclusion

The issue that the corporate world has today with management graduates is that they rely on theoretical knowledge rather than practical knowledge. With ground realities changing rapidly, the need of the hour is to discard the linear approach to business and go for a hybrid model that enables the students to hit the ground running.

The Case discussion method replicates situations that organizations have encountered over the past and provides valuable insights to students as they embark on their corporate journey. Based on a methodology pioneered by Harvard, the process has yielded admirable results.

At SOIL Institute of Management, the pedagogy has been undergoing a constant transformation keeping in mind the changing needs of the industry.

Adopting a hybrid teaching model that leans heavily on the Case Discussion Method, SOIL relies on a far more active experience involving debate, discussion, and disagreement. Shared learning at SOIL, one that adopts a participative approach between the professor and the student is an ideal outcome for learning as it inculcates responsibility and experiential thinking.

If you are looking to develop your Leadership skills, SOIL Institute of Management has on offer the one-year MBA PGPM. SOIL has significant focus areas on Leadership skills and their impact on student development and their role in shaping leaders of consequence.

This course teaches students the relevant skills needed to be a leader in Emerging India with a global vision. Integrated with work experience, it can be a potent launch pad for young professionals to build a career with top-notch corporations.

On the other hand, to meet the increasing demand for innovation in business and creative problem solvers, SOIL School of Business Design offers a two-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Business Design & Innovation.

This program has an enhanced focus on Design Thinking & Innovation and offers specializations in Business Design along with regular specializations in Marketing, Analytics, Human Resources, and Finance.

Both the programs draw on learning experiences using the Case Discussion method, a unique management education experience in the Indian context. The vast repository of actual cases adds to the student learning experience, one that places him in a position from where he can offer a meaningful contribution to the organization and further his career.

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