How can the case method contribute to accreditation?

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In the competitive global business school world, accreditation cannot be ignored. Find out how the case method can help support a school's accreditation bid.

Hands in a supportive tower with quality standards icons overlayed

By building the link between cases and research, bridging theory and practice, and contributing to institutional goals, case activity, especially case writing, can contribute to accreditation.

Working with accreditation bodies

The Case Centre maintains a constant dialogue with accreditation and research assessment bodies to ensure that cases are considered.

Many standards and criteria used in accreditations do already offer opportunities to highlight case writing and teaching. Accreditation bodies want to see within the mission of a business school multiple, well defined, pedagogical objectives and the assurance that these will be met and can be assessed. Cases have the scope to have an impact as part of institutional strategy, so where case writing or teaching can be clearly shown to support these outcomes, they will be relevant to the accreditation.

Those accreditations that look to raise the standard of management education by emphasising programme design, and achieving a balance between imparting knowledge and practical skills, also play to the case method’s strengths. Using the case method in a programme promotes a blend of theory with business practice, and affords students opportunities to benefit from group work and practical experience.

Business schools, especially young ones, in developing regions, face the challenge of raising standards and recognition on their path to accreditation. Accrediting organisations usually include teaching quality in evaluations and some include the case method.

“AACSB accreditation is usually a multi-year path that recognises institutions that demonstrate a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development, and student learning. We can envisage the benefit of indicators such as getting credit for engaging with local businesses and producing relevant materials, which can both be expressed through cases.”

Tim Mescon, Executive Vice President and Chief Officer, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for AACSB International