Suggested Topics for the case studies-FINA 4450

FinTech

Mutual Fund and Hedge Fund Companies

Insurance Companies

Pension Funds Operations and Examples

Credit Unions

Investment Banks

Mortgage Markets

U.S. historical events affecting the development of the financial sector

What are some of the key events in U.S. history thought to be important for the development of the U.S. financial sector?

Brexit and the effect on the Euro,

Greece and the effect on the Euro,

The Volcker Rule and Its Impacts,

Dodd-Frank Act and its impacts,

Islamic Banking,

Quantitative Easing,

Negative Interest Rates,

Fixed exchange rates,

Bitcoins,

What happened in the U.S. during the Great Depression (1929-1939)?

What happened in the U.S. during the 2007-2011 Subprime Financial Crisis?

What's currently going on with the major trading partners of the U.S? For example, what's going on in the European Union? in Japan? in Argentina? in Canada? in China? in India?

What is the "Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH)"?

What has been the root cause and progression of recent financial crises in other parts of the world (Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, ...)

Case studies offer descriptions and data of situations, from which you have to:

Firstly,

Identify the key points or issues

Weigh up the situation

Consider the information you do and dont have

Before you can,

Define the problem/issues to be addressed precisely

Outline the objectives: the desirable outcomes

Identify resources/techniques helpful to opening up the case study

Generate ideas or alternative solutions

Then you can,

Choose a best fit solution from the options

Decide on an action plan

Outline how to implement it

Consider what might go wrong and how to monitor the success of the action plan

How to approach the case study

Step 1. Read the material carefully and ask yourself these questions:

What are the main presenting issues?

Why have these arisen?

What would happen if nothing were done?

What hard evidence is there that the situation needs action?

Once you have done this you can write the introduction to the case study analysis, which outlines the situation, the key issues, why these have arisen and require action. In this way you should avoid rewriting large chunks of the case study.

Step 2. Analyse the situation/issues clearly and ask yourself the following questions:

What is the background to the case study?

What research could I use to understand the issues?

What solutions are desirable/possible?

What solutions are suggested/supported by research?

What are the legal and ethical considerations?

What would be my role?

Step 3. Use the grid provided to record your ideas/analysis.

How to write the case study

An effective case study report should

Clearly identify the core problem(s)

Analyse the issues underlying the problem

Discuss and justify alternative solutions using theory / experience

Present feasible recommendations

Be presented in an appropriate format

The report format

Introduction

Overview of the situation and identification of key issues underlying the problems identified in the case study

Main body

Present and analyse the issues. Consider and assess possible solutions in terms of theoretical grounding, strengths and weaknesses and possibly risk factors. Draw from both literature and experience

Conclusion

Summarise main findings. Identify and justify strategy proposed

Recommendations

Recommendations should be in line with your analysis. May be separate or within conclusions

Appendices -A compilation of supplementary and illustrative material.

Do not include items that are not mentioned in the report.

Bibliography - A list of sources consulted or referred to in alphabetical order

Tables, charts, graphs and diagrams - may be included within the report or added in the appendices. Used in the appendix, they avoid cluttering up the main text and do not add to your overall word count.

All illustrations should be clearly labelled and numbered, and referred to in the report.

Pitfalls of case study analysis

Students lose marks when their analysis fails to:

Identify the real problem, focusing on describing the case study situation and missing the underlying issues

Separate the strategic management issues form the operational issues

Identify for whom the issue is a problem

Examine possible alternatives

Present a realistic implementation plan

Address the specific issues

Support their ideas with evidence from research, studies or theories

Plz do it ASAP and get thumbs up choosing any of the given above topics