As we (Joyce and Ben) take the lead with the Journal of Case Studies as co-editors, we would like to take a moment to thank the incredibly stewardship shown by the outgoing co-editors, Brad Brooks and Britt Shirley, over the Journal since 2019. As noted in their final letter, “Transitions in the Business World: Transitions in the Journal of Case Studies” Brooks and Shirley (2025) note that, since 2019, the U.S. business community has been through many changes.
"This case takes place at the beginning of 2025, while poppi, a new soda company claiming to use natural ingredients and to benefit gut health, is facing a lawsuit filed by a customer for false claims and unjust enrichment. The company has been growing at an exponential rate, even landing a sponsor from famous TV-show Shark Tank. How will this lawsuit affect the brand? Is the company really at fault? How can it reposition the brand to continue growing? This case provides an example of a dissatisfied customer taking legal action against an up and coming industry leader in a fast-growth industry and possible action from the company."
Due to the commercial success of Dr. Dre’s Beats, rapper-entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson invested over $1 million in Sleek Audio to develop a competing over-the-ear headphone. As an investor, he became an owner and member of the board and gained access to Sleek Audio’s nonpublic designs and plans, among other things. When the relationship became strained, 50 Cent launched a competing business which released products similar to the ones Sleek Audio was developing. This descriptive case places students in an analytical role at the intersection of strategy and law, requiring them to analyze confidentiality agreements (and breach), trade secret misappropriation, fraud, and fiduciary duty requirements, while also considering how communication and corporate structures (contracts and governance) can help prevent disputes.
The purposes of this study were to examine case publication source types (whether primary sources, secondary sources, both) and how these source differences affect case characteristics such a type of case (decision vs descriptive) and whether the case included some type of disguise.
Having stared at her laptop screen for some time, Mei Liu decided to negotiate her job offer as a senior procurement analyst with a technology company. She had no prior experience with negotiating, but felt the timing was right after recently completing her MBA. As she considered her next steps, several fundamental questions arose: How should she prepare for the negotiation? What approach should she take, and with whom should she engage? When would be the right time to initiate the discussion? Uncertain about the answers, she hesitated, ultimately closing her laptop without responding to the human resources professional who had sent the formal offer. Now, she faced a critical decision: Where should she begin?
This case describes two legal dilemmas faced by a business format franchise system. Legal disputes have shaken one of America’s celebrated organic juice franchises. Just months after earning a spot on Newsweek/Statista Inc.'s list of America's Favorite Restaurant Chains for 2023, Clean Juice faced allegations from nearly 40 franchisees claiming breach of contract. The accusations centered on a significant shift in the business model—away from fresh-pressed juices—which franchisees argued led to bankruptcies, evictions, and profit losses. The franchisees filed a demand for arbitration against the franchisor. In addition, Clean Juice asserted two former franchisees had stolen its business concept and opened a chain of competing restaurants. The conflict led Clean Juice into filing its own lawsuit with arbitration planned as its first action. Students are asked to identify what outcomes Clean Juice should pursue in the dual arbitration proceedings.
Scientific Biominds, was a private molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics firm and a contract research service provider located in Bengaluru, Karnataka State, India. It was founded in 2008 with a mission to create bio-IT solutions for the analysis, interpretation, and application of biological and molecular data in agricultural and clinical genomics. Although revenue from all products was as expected, revenue from training was low from the years 2014 to 2017. This was primarily due to an increase in traffic in the company's immediate vicinity. This descriptive case applies the S-W-O-T analysis and BCG model to the framework to evaluate and address the decline in training revenue. Potential solutions were implemented to expand the training wing of Scientific Biominds. Students are asked to assess these strategies and recommend the best training method to increase revenue.
Being a case writer involves a continuous process of exploring and storytelling. Case research allows instructors to introduce experiential education to their courses in a way that demonstrates concepts to students and allows those students to generate possible solutions to dilemmas others have faced. Business case research provides instructors with pedagogical tools for applying theories and cementing business constructs.
This case study explored the journey of Korea Public Infrastructure Corporation’s transformative leadership development approach. It offered a narrative of the company’s endeavor to align its leadership model with the evolving expectations of its diverse workforce. The project was prompted by findings of insufficient visionary leadership and coordination skills among the company’s leaders, which raised concerns about organizational performance. The existing leadership model’s failure to adapt to challenges such as COVID-19 and digital transformation underscored the need for a revised approach. The case delved into the innovative strategies implemented to redefine and enhance leadership competencies. This case study promised insights into the complexities of leadership development in a dynamic organizational environment, offering valuable lessons on adapting leadership training to meet contemporary needs and cultural contexts. The case can serve as a resource for both students and instructors looking to understand how leadership models evolve in response to organizational challenges.
Elizabeth “Liz” Brodek, Director of Community Development for Wausau, WI, faced a significant urban planning challenge: the closure and demolition of the city’s central mall. This case examines the complexities of downtown revitalization in a mid-sized city, highlighting the economic, social, and political considerations involved in repurposing a large commercial space. It explores the roles of municipal leadership, stakeholder engagement, and long-term economic planning in shaping the city’s future. As Wausau sought to balance historic preservation, economic development, and community needs, Liz had to navigate competing interests while fostering a vision for a vibrant and sustainable downtown. How should city leaders work with private landowners to maximize the economic and social benefits of a key redevelopment while maintaining public support?
Cara Strauss Contreras had moved from the United States to Bolivia and spent the last 13 years pouring herself into creating a freedom business she named SutiSana. SutiSana employed women who had left sex trafficking and trained them to make fine leather handbags and accessories, which were then marketed to women in the United States and around the world. Cara felt like she was finally in a position to grow her business, but she struggled with identifying the right strategies for growth. She felt like she needed to make some improvements in the company’s distribution channels and an increase brand name recognition. But she had no idea how to go about making these changes with her limited budget and whether these changes would actually increase sales.
Since its inception, the Global Jesuit Case Series (GJCS) has served as a critical source for the development and enhancement of Jesuit values in business through focused case studies. Originating in 2015, the GJCS is committed to maintaining a globally focused case series that emphasizes placing “people and planet on equal footing with profit and emphasize maximizing values as well as value”
As Greek philosopher Heraclitus put it centuries ago, “There is nothing permanent except change” (Sajwani, 2023). As we (Brad and Britt) embrace our final year as Journal of Case Studies (JCS) editors, Heraclitus’ famous quote seems just as timely for us in 2025 as it has for so many others over the centuries.
The case takes place in early 2024, after Athletic Brewing Company, an independent non-alcoholic brewer from Connecticut and fast-growing company has received a $50 million investment from Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) that allowed expansion of production. Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO, has plans for the company to expand and become the market leader in sales. The brand has been successful and award winning since its creation in 2017 and currently sits in third position in sales, ready to take a strong hold of the market. However, it needs to focus on its consumer’s behaviors and characteristics to outperform industry leaders Heineken 0.0 and non-alcoholic brands in the Anheuser Busch InBev product family.
This case asks students to evaluate the operational challenges of Fizzy Water, a beverage company, and find ways to improve profitability and market share through the lens of an outside consultant. Tim, the outside consultant, was hired to analyze Fizzy Water’s performance and make recommendations that will improve profitability using various methods such as financial restructuring, expanding the number and type of products offered, and adding additional markets where products are sold. In this case, students will compare actual performance with budget projections, develop pro forma financial statements, analyze profitability, and design strategic plans to improve performance. Through this case, students will expand their understanding of managerial accounting concepts related to financial analysis, costing, and budgeting. This case is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate cost accounting, advanced managerial accounting, or strategic planning courses.
This case describes a strategic decision faced by Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI). HBI experienced pressure from Barrington Capital Group L.P. (BCP), an activist investor, to improve its financial performance. BCP identified three areas of concern. The first issue was HBI's long-term debt. The second issue pertained to declining revenues and profit margins. The third issue was the decline in HBI’s stock price. BCP insisted on several actions including asset divestments, debt reduction, restructuring the product portfolio, and revamping upper management. HBI’s management, led by CEO Bratspies, announced several strategic options that included potential divestiture of the Champion brand to reduce long-term debt and improve cash flow. Students are asked to examine HBI’s situation and make a recommendation to retain or divest the Champion brand.
The impact of research has become an important topic for accredited business schools and faculty alike. And yet there is no uniform method to measure the impact of published teaching cases, and this presents challenges for faculty publishing in this domain. This paper presents multidimensional model, extending beyond citation rates, which business schools may use to evaluate a faculty member’s intellectual contributions related to teaching cases. The model focuses on four dimensions: a published teaching case, industry or government involvement, citations along with views and downloads, and classroom usage by an independent faculty member who is not a co-author. The authors argue that when all four criteria are present, a case is at its most comprehensive level of impact, but utilizing a subset of the criteria also results in impact for a case. Student focused assessment related to case utilization, as well as the implications of the model are also discussed.
“Are you happy working in ANB?†Dr. Robert Eid the CEO asked the employees in a recently held meeting. Organizational theories and literature have recognized the need to maintain and improve job attitudes that enable businesses to develop and expand further. A healthy work environment which ultimately contributes to the bottom line matters the most. For instance, satisfied employees will communicate and share their experiences with other members inside or outside their workplace, thereby creating a good brand image for the company they work and thus having an impact on the company’s wellbeing, practicality and financial performance. Conversely, motivational techniques such as goal setting, value rewards, and other job motivators that include pursuing a national agenda (Saudization), economic growth and rewarding employees’ achievement are vital in explaining and predicting work behaviour and enhancing organizational performance. Given the importance of these job attitudes in the banking business environment, at the end of the day they are expected to have an effect on a company’s financial performance. This case study of Arab National Bank (ANC) therefore aims to explore human resources management practices, including job motivation and job satisfaction. Special focus will be placed on the perceptions of male/female bankers in Saudi Arabia with regard to their job motivation and satisfaction. In particular, in what way do the bank’s employees perceive their level of job satisfaction and work motivation? This case study data search of ANB has employed the concept of a face-to-face semi-structured interview with the bank employees as a primary tool of data collection. There were many target employees from different organizational levels who responded to the set of research questions. The results showed that there were clear themes about how employees perceive job satisfaction and internally driven work motivation. Four core themes thus emerged namely the role of team-work, achievement of national agenda, employee growth and promotion, compensation and benefits while inculcating culture and religious values adherence. Interestingly, the results showed that religious values lead to more job satisfaction and work motivation. Indeed, they are considered to be a driving force for those working at the bank, in the sense that employees value themselves more when working in such an Islamic environment. With no less importance of other motivational factors, this study’s findings are consistent with those of other studies in that internally driven by a national agenda of Saudization and monetary motivation remained a vital factor in terms of the level of satisfaction and work performance. In addition, lethargy has been perceived as making negative impacts on employees’ level of satisfaction and work performance as it was seen as unfair business practice for the organizational growth prospects.
In competing with other book publishers in Malaysia, Rahim, the founder of Ambang Mata Sdn. Bhd. had introduced a new product line which was a lifestyle Muslim magazine called “Indahnya Islam.†Having ventured into several divisions in book publishing industry such as preschool books, textbooks, story books for children, children comics and other general books, Rahim had a bigger plan for his company. The business journey had begun in 1987 when Rahim started his company by becoming a distributor dealing with halal cosmetics and halal food manufacturers. He had faced the ups and downs as a distributor, and later saw an opportunity to publish books for Islamic preschool students in the early 1990s. Publishing Islamic preschool books was a segment not fully catered by many book publishers. Since then, Rahim did not turning back and foresee all opportunities in publishing books and magazines not only for children, but also for adults as part of fard kifayah. The existence of internet technology and e-marketing in the era of information and communication technology (ICT) as well as the emergence of 4th Industrial Revolution offered opportunities and had affected the retailing marketing process and strategy including the book publishing industry. Henceforth, Rahim had to plan strategically in order to ensure that his 25-year-old company will survive albeit competing in the modern technology market environment.
It was February 13th, 2020, Valentine’s Day was fast approaching and Anita wanted to buy a mobile phone to be given as a valentine gift to her boyfriend, Ravi. During brainstorming last night with her brother she decided to buy a mobile phone out of different choices. She was not very good at technological oriented product and it was decided that her brother would meet her in the market but due to unavoidable circumstances he could not come. Now standing alone in the mobile market of Calcutta she had to choose 1 out of 3 mobile phones shown by different salesperson. She had to shake off her indecisive nature and decide whether to choose J5 (Reliable but may not be suitable according to occasion), C7 Zepro (on discount) or Love 4 (Especially for occasion but may be unreliable).
