MBA case studies are the pillar of business education. The Case Centre was founded in 1973 by 22 visionary higher education institutions – as an independent home of the case method. In 2023, it is celebrating its 50th anniversary. As a part of its golden jubilee celebrations, The Case Centre has released a list of the Bestselling Authors of the Top 50 MBA Case Studies for the 2022/23 academic year who have been contributing to the enrichment of business education.
New Faces: A Breath of Fresh Air
The 2022/23 list of bestselling case authors has brought an air of excitement and anticipation. Notably, this year’s list sees the emergence of ten new faces, signalling a new era in the world of MBA case studies.
Two individuals who have particularly captured the spotlight are Arpita Agnihotri of Penn State Harrisburg and Saurabh Bhattacharya of Newcastle University Business School, who have jointly claimed the highest new entries at number 12.
It is encouraging to see that both of them are from India.
Debapratim Purkayastha: An Enduring Legacy
At the zenith of the list stands another Indian – the ever-inspiring Debapratim Purkayastha from ICFAI Business School (IBS). Debapratim has maintained his stronghold in the first place for an astounding eighth consecutive year. His enduring influence serves as a guiding light to aspiring business case writers and educators worldwide – underlining the lasting impact of his work on business education.
The Heavyweights: Well-Established Case Schools Shine
While the new entrants bring fresh perspectives, the well-established case schools continue to shine. Harvard Business School boasts a solid presence with eight authors on the list, INSEAD contributes six, and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) is not far behind with five authors.
These institutions have been at the forefront of case-based education, shaping the way students and professionals approach real-world business challenges.
Debutantes: A New Wave of Excellence
However, the 2022/23 list doesn’t merely revolve around the traditional heavyweights. It also warmly welcomes six schools that are making their debut on this prestigious stage:
- ESMT Berlin,
- HKU Business School,
- Hult EF Corporate Education,
- Imperial College Business School,
- Newcastle University Business School, and
- Penn State Harrisburg.
Their presence reflects the global growth and diversification of business education, ensuring a richer and more inclusive learning environment.
The Top 10 Bestselling Case Authors 2022/23
Here are the top 10 bestselling case authors who are shaping the future of business education:
- Debapratim Purkayastha (ICFAI Business School)
- Indu Perepu
- W. Chan Kim
- Renée Mauborgne
- Wolfgang Ulaga
- Christopher Bartlett
- Syeda Maseeha Qumer
- Kamran Kashani
- Vivek Gupta
- Rajiv Fernando
Each of these authors brings a unique perspective and style to case writing, enriching the learning experience for students and educators alike.
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Top 50 Cases from 1973-2023
To mark its 50th anniversary, The Case Centre has released a prestigious list of the top 50 MBA case studies from 1973 to 2023. With a staggering 73,300 cases distributed, earning a spot in the Top 50 is nothing short of an extraordinary achievement. These cases have left an indelible mark on business education, and they deserve to be celebrated.
Highlights from the Top 50 Cases
The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) claims the top spot with their case, “easyJet: The Web’s Favourite Airline,” authored by Nirmalya Kumar and Brian Rogers. IMD’s exceptional performance continues with a further seven cases in the Top 50. This achievement underscores their dedication to producing top-tier case studies.
Harvard Business School (HBS) secures its position as the most successful institution, with an impressive 22 cases in the Top 50. HBS also boasts the most successful author on the list – Christopher A. Bartlett, who has an exceptional six cases to his name.
INSEAD’s Pierre Chandon and Pedro Pacheco Guimaraes take the second spot in the Top 50 with their case, “Unilever in Brazil (1997-2007): Marketing Strategies for Low-income Consumers.” INSEAD’s impressive 14 cases in the list account for a remarkable 60% of the top 10.
Diverse Case Themes and Industries
The Top 50 cases cover a wide range of themes, with 42% in the area of Strategy and General Management. Marketing follows closely at 26%, while Production and Operations Management accounts for 14%.
These cases also delve into various specialist management disciplines, such as:
- entrepreneurship,
- finance,
- organizational behaviour,
- accounting,
- control, and
- human resource management
ensuring a well-rounded business education.
As for industries, food and beverages and the automotive sector lead the way with six cases each. The airline and fashion apparel industries closely follow with five cases each. Zara stands out as the most popular company, featuring in four of the Top 50 cases.
The Power of the Case Method
The case method, with its origins in Socratic dialogue, Aristotelian logic, and the art of argument, remains an irreplaceable cornerstone of management education in business schools across the globe.
Real-life decision-making lies at the heart of the case method, with cases describing authentic business situations and the challenging decisions that protagonists face. This method allows students to step into the shoes of business leaders, exploring possible solutions and analyzing the pros and cons of different approaches.
In the context of real-life decision-making, students absorb new ideas and concepts while developing a wide array of vital professional and life skills. These include:
- negotiation,
- critical thinking,
- teamwork, analysis, and
- the ability to guard against hasty decisions based on incomplete information.
The case method is a robust and effective teaching tool, widely used in leading business schools across the world. It serves to challenge assumptions, overcome prejudices, test theories, and stimulate debates, while also fostering the development of essential work and life skills that enhance employability.
Conclusion: A Glorious Half-Century of Education
As The Case Centre celebrates its 50th anniversary, it continues to play a vital role in advancing case-based business education worldwide. The unveiling of the Top 50 Bestselling Case Authors for 2022/23 and the Top 50 MBA Case Studies from 1973 to 2023 showcases the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of business education. It reaffirms the enduring importance of the case method as a fundamental cornerstone of learning in the business world. At SMS Varanasi, we embrace the case method in imparting business education to our BBA and MBA students – fostering a tradition of excellence. Here’s to years and years of inspiring business education!
