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Group Discussion Based on Case Studies

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The process of a case-study group discussion is almost similar to that of a discussion on a topic. The preparation time given is about about 5 minutes.

UNIT-III

4. GROUP DISCUSSION BASED ON CASE STUDIES

Techniques and Strategies

How to approach a case study based Group Discussion

Monday, January 11th, 2021

The process of a case-study group discussion is almost similar to that of a discussion on a topic. The preparation time given is about about 5 minutes. The panel starts the discussion and observes the discussion without moderating it, and the group is at complete liberty to understand, analyse, and interpret the case appropriately in order to make a recommendation.

There are however 2 key differences.

Firstly, the participants are given a case statement instead of a topic. The candidates must prepare on a given problem for a few minutes and come out of their perspective and a remedial measure.

Secondly, there is a difference between group discussion and case study discussion in which the panelist does not expect any outcome/solution/any opinion in GD whereas the panelists have already preconceived outcome or solution in their minds and they expect the candidate to arrive at or arrive atleast near the idea.

When GD is considered a descriptive question, case study discussion is considered an objective question.

The cases invariably feature a business problem or a social problem. The problem given may be from personal or professional field. While solving the problem, part of the evaluation involves testing the participants' ability to understand the problem in all its complexities.

Case studies are usually of two types: One is coming out with solution.

Another is assessing the solution and to evaluate whether the decision is correct or not. The former is the norm and the latter is an exception.

The former is considered easier by some and the latter is considered easier by some. But most of the case study discussion belongs to the former type.

The Six Steps of Approaching a Case-study based Group Discussion

The participant should not impulsively express his opinion but analyse different opinions and he should express what he considers the best. Thinking over case study problems involves the following steps:

Step 1: Situational analysis

Step 2: Evaluation of alternatives

Step 3: Recommendation

Example of a case study:

A software engineer is hired as a trainee by a company that specializes in hardware. At the end of the training period, he is found to be below average in picking up facts and he is given a letter by his immediate superior. The letter includes some humanitarian aspects and it suggests some openings for him in some other concerns. The engineer uses the letter to take the company to court and challenges the dismissal of his immediate superior. How should the company resolve this situation?"

Step 1: Situation Analysis

Please remember that in a case study you - both the individuals and the group - must solve the problem from the perspective of the entity in the question at the end of the case statement - in the above case you are 'the company'. Nobody is allowed to role-play in such discussions. However, you should certainly examine how the given situation affects all the concerned parties.

Begin analysing the situation by asking the questions about what we do not know about the situation, For example, is this recommendation letter personal (made on the basis of a personal relationship) or professional? Has it been issued on the company letterhead? The facts definitely point in that direction.

Therefore, the assumption we need to make is that this is a professional recommendation, and hence potentially damaging to the company.

Who are the parties directly involved in this problem? The employee, the superior, the company management

Who are the parties indirectly involved in this problem? The rest of the company staff, the shareholders of the company, and the general public.

The potential court case and its proceedings will eventually affect the first two, and the third's perception of the company may also be affected by a potentially lengthy and publicised court case.

Step 2: Problem definition

This is the most important stage of the discussion. If the situation has been analysed properly, we can not only see all the inherent problems but also determine the order of priority in which they must dealt with.

Problem 1: What to do with the court case? The court is the superior authority which we cannot control.

Problem 2: What do to with the superior? His error in judgment has brought the company into trouble.

Problem 3: How to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in the future?

Step 3: Statement of objectives

We discuss a range of solutions. We might compromise and we cannot compromise. This must also be determined in the order of priority.

Objective 1: Are we going to retain the candidate?

Objective 2: We must minimise the damage caused to the company's reputation.

Objective 3: We must take appropriate steps to ensure that such an incident is never repeated.

Step 4: Evaluation of Alternatives

Discussing a course of action is not really possible without a proper discussion. Identified problems can only be solved.

Step 5: Recommendation

Upon discussing alternatives, the group may make a unanimous recommendation, or the opinion may be divided. In case of such division, a majority recommendation is made to the panel.

The group is under no obligation to come to a consensus. T

Step 6: Plan B

The panel expects you to identify all possible scenarios in which the case may end. In order to successfully solve the case, all 6 steps must be rigorously followed. It is a completely logical process. Take one step out of it, and the discussion will collapse like a computer program without one crucial digit or a Sudoku puzzle.

Summation:

Do not deviate from the 6-step process.

If the rest of participants deviate, it is wiser for an individual to keep trying to bring them back to the process than to deviate with them. The panel will notice that you tried to approach the task methodically, and did not abandon logic in the midst of chaos. That is a BIG positive.

The case can be solved only if the entire group works together. Work in the spirit of the team, but do not forget that the team spirit does not mean that people should follow the majority.

To understand any problem, we should view it from others' perspectives as well apart from our perspective. In order to be able to do this - both now and in future - cultivate empathy. Develop a habit of putting yourself in the shoes of others and feel what they feel.

Nobody said it more eloquently than Aristotle: "To perceive is to suffer."

Example

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