Project1                       Econ 205A                  Fall 2009

 

For this project, report on the case study from Spulber (2007) that was assigned to you in class.  Your report should be structured in the following way:

 

  1. a general introduction to the report and the case.  Regarding the case, list the main facts that are relevant to your analyses below.
  2. In the next three to six paragraphs, answer the following questions:[1]

 

    1. How can this case be understood in terms of the MBM paradigm?
    2. How can this case be understood in terms of the SCP paradigm?
    3. How can this case be understood in terms of the RBV paradigm?

 

Be sure to succinctly define each paradigm at the start of each paragraph.

 

  1. If you like, you can offer a short conclusion, or you alternatively may want to just end it after the discussion of RBV aspects of the case.

 

 

To answer these questions, you will first need to have a firm understanding of the most important aspects of the three paradigms.  For example, in explaining how the case can be understood in terms of the SCP paradigm, simply listing the opportunities and threats the firm faced is not enough; the opportunities and threats should be discussed in terms of a more concrete model or concept.  Similarly, when describing how the case can be understood in terms of the RBV paradigm, simply listing the firm’s strengths and weaknesses is not enough; these strengths and weaknesses should be described in terms of resource-based terminology and concepts.

 

In short, you should try to analyze the case through the lens of the three paradigms.  You are expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the case, but most importantly, of the three paradigms.  In this project, you are challenged to move beyond a textbook understanding of the paradigms and to apply your knowledge in a new context.

 

 

 

We will discuss these questions in class on 10/8, and you should complete a rough draft of the case prior to class so that you will be prepared.  We will divide ourselves into eight groups, two for each case.  Then each group will explain to another group the details of the case, and how the story relates to each of the three paradigms.

 

 

 

After the discussion on 10/8, you can revise your report, and submit it along with the take home exam on 10/12.  Both the report (project 1) and the take home exam will be due on Blackboard.


[1] Another way we might ask these questions is, “How can this case be seen through the lens of the XYZ paradigm?”