FME3538 Case Methods in Industrial Management 4.0 credits

As methodology, case studies typically are used to study complex phenomena within their contexts (i.e. many variables and few units). The aim is to provide an analysis and/or illustration of the context and processes illuminating the theoretical issues at hand.

The course will comprise:

• Case studies compared to other types of studies

• Types of case studies

• The case study process

• Framing and problematizing case research

• Defining aims and objectives

• Data sources and analyzing qualitative data

• Criteria for assessing case studies

• Theory building, elaboration and triangulation

• Strategies for exploiting existing case data

Due to its versatility, case study is often a first methodological choice for many scholars in Industrial Management. However, many Ph D students and researchers are often unfamiliar with what a case study is and how it can illustrate central phenomenon, build theory, and inform professional practices and policies. 

This course aims to bridge this gap by present the fundamentals of case-based research, discuss the crafting of a case study, discuss the characteristics, structure and assessment criteria of a case-based paper and elaborate upon how existing data sets (i.e. existing “case descriptions”) can be exploited and transformed into papers.

PhD students within the research subject Industrial Engineering and Management and who:

1. are in the process of planning a case-based research study (Thesis Proposal stage)

2. already have some collected material and are in the process of writing up a paper

The literature will comprise of journal articles of two types. Methodological articles on case studies and template articles. The latter is articles that presents applications of case methodology.

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Active participation in at least 80% of the lecturers and discussions. Pass on the pre-assignment and the major assignment.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.