Hello everyone,
I am new to this mailing list, so I thought I would introduce myself and
some of my concerns. I find that the case methods are similar to "Teaching
Stories" used in some other traditions of teaching, since the case study
method is always used to illustrate something. As an illustration it is
very useful, however, one wonders why there is a preference for "factual"
cases? Any relationship with reality would make it appear that the cases
have some explanatory power, to explain what really happened in a
particular situation.
I for one believe that such an "explanation" is very limited in scope, an
understanding based on a sample size of ONE. Taking the analogy with
teaching stories further, one could perhaps appreciate the fact that the
story is most powerful when it exerts a metaphoric power, quite different
from the claim to truth. For example, the parables from the bible. When
asked who is my neighbour? The answer was given as the parable of the good
samaritan. Every time I read the story, I learn something new. Yet when I
read a factual account, unless there are gaps in the narrative, it is
hardly worth reading again and again.
The power of the teaching story is in the fact that it may have something
to say about reality, but does not lay claim to be a historical account
itself.
Mathai Baker Fenn
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Dr. Mathai Baker Fenn
Assistant Professor,
(Oroganisational Behaviour and Marketing)
XLRI. Postbox 222,
Jamshedpur 831 001,
Bihar State, India
Website: (http://www.fenn.net/fenn.html)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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