It has been 100 years since the introduction of the case method at Harvard Business School (HBS). Dean Srikant Datar of HBS celebrates this important milestone, reflecting on the origins, value, and legacy of the HBS Case Method.
The very first Harvard Business School case study was from General Shoe Company, published in 1921.
“It was written at a time when management education was still quite new, and the US was struggling with industrialization, urbanization, and corruption,” Srikant explains. (00:45)
Founded 13 years earlier, Harvard Business School did not yet have a distinct method of teaching. However, Srikant’s predecessor, Dean Wallace Dunham, saw a great opportunity to teach business education through discussion instead of lecture.
“His visionary approach has not only endured for a century here at HBS, but also had an impact on hundreds of other business schools, thousands of companies, and millions of managers around the world,” Srikant states. “I think it’s fair to say that the case method has withstood the test of time.” (01:28)
Over the course of the two-year MBA program at HBS, students read 500 cases. They are catapulted into leadership positions where they must solve complex problems and make decisions with limited information. Bringing students together from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures inevitably leads to life-changing experiences and significant growth.
Srikant elaborates, “The case method enables students to learn, to interpret and analyze information, consider alternatives, decide on a plan of action, and persuade others about their point of view. Students learn how to learn, to practice drilling down to the root cause of issues, asking questions and listening to others’ viewpoints.” (01:53)
The HBS Case Method has come a long way since the General Shoe Company case study. Today, HBS lists more than 20,000 cases ranging across disciplines – from accounting to business ethics to negotiation. Students graduate from HBS with the globally-oriented, future-forward skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s workplace.
Srikant states, “[The HBS Case Method] educates for judgment at a moment when business leaders are being asked to help address society’s most pressing problems – economic inequality, a global pandemic, and a changing climate. These skills are more vital than ever.” (02:22)
The HBS Case Method has transcended borders. Over the years, it has been adopted by universities and business schools worldwide. In countries far beyond the United States, students and future business leaders have embraced the case method as a cornerstone of their education. The success of this teaching approach has played a pivotal role in shaping the international business landscape, fostering a common language of business problem-solving across continents.
The 100-year milestone is not the end but a new beginning. The HBS Case Method is evolving in the digital age. With rapid advancements in technology, the method is embracing innovation. Virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and real-time data analytics are becoming integral components of the case studies. This digitization allows students to experience the challenges and opportunities of the modern business world more realistically.
Srikant concludes, “While cases may look different in the future – embracing more interactive technologies [and] incorporating more real-time information – the fundamental approach of discussion, debate, and deliberation undoubtedly will last well into the next century, too.” (02:44)
Join us in celebrating 100 years of the HBS Case Method!
