The annual Case-Study Conference “Renvoi - 2020” was inaugurated at Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP) virtually. Organized by Amity Business School, the two-day conference aims to provide broad coverage and dissemination of foundational research. Participants were provided with opportunities to present and publish their original research cases, exchange their views and network in the forum. 42 registrations from across India were received this year out of which 17 cases have been received from academic institutions and corporate. These include University of Mumbai, University of Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd Pune, Tata Consultancy Services, etc.
Prof. (Dr.) Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity, University Uttar Pradesh shared that writing & developing the cases is extremely important and how that led to the conceptualisation of the conference. She stated that AUUP is looking to constantly improve its efforts of producing widely popular case studies & the inputs shared by the various participants in the conference will help attain that mission. She further added that cases shared in the conference will inspire better learning.
In his keynote address Mr. Richard McCracken, Director, The Case Centre, United Kingdom shared his views on ‘Emerging Trends and Future of Case Study Method in Management Education’. He added that case method is a dynamic, open & flexible method of teaching students. He averred that the teaching case and class discussion is the original flipped classroom. Mr. McCracken also shared case writing tips with students. While detailing about the case study life cycle, he added that the case method brings real impact in the classroom and how it provides a link between research & teaching, theory and practice. Talking about case writing trends, he added that covid-19 has accelerated spotting of new trends including online and hybrid classrooms that are there to stay as it allows business schools to widen their reach. He also added that the coming times will see shorter, chunked, integrated & structured cases and the importance of multifunctional teaching notes. It was also discussed how comic strip, multimedia & virtual reality will be the future formats and the method of writing local, thinking global. Mr. McCracken also stated the rise of Indian case writers on the global platform.
Guest of Honour Prof Sudhansu Bhusan, Head, Department of Higher and Professional Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi talked about ‘Objectivity in Social Science Research’. He stated that objective decision is free from biases, opinions & beliefs and guided by scientific methodology. He talked about the ways & processes associated with understanding objectivity. He added that objectivity that is achieved through scientific enquiry is free from biases & have value neutrality. He averred that any objectivity that is claimed though scientific enquiry should consider consequences. He further added that the conference will provide multiple lenses and offer deep understanding into the case study method.
Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Bansal, Dean FMS & Director ABS and Convener Renvoi-2020 while welcoming the gathering shared his delight in organizing Renvoi-2020 and hoped for the virtual mode to be over soon. He stated that research has many paradigms & case studies is the most certified research method. He averred that there are numerous historical examples mentioning case studies & the integral role played by them.
The inaugural session also witnessed an e-Launch of the book ‘The Watershed Year of Trails – Tribulations and Opportunities’ incorporating select case studies presented during the event. Technical sessions were organized on various themes including ‘Zoom Incorporation: No Such thing as Overnight Success! A Case Study Analysing the Impact of Pandemic on Cloud based Video Conferencing Sector’; ‘A study on how demographics impact investment patterns with focus on short term decision making in unprecedented times’; Use of technology for enhancement of social learning through digital reward systems’, among others. The two-day event saw participation from industry, academicians, research scholars and post-graduate students in form of case studies.