International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies (12 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• How to generate performance and well-being in compulsory training of employees? : the case of Mrs C.  
  by Coralie Damay, Catherine Lejealle 
  Abstract: Post-pandemic, companies are grappling with quiet quitting and low employee engagement, driven by a shift towards extrinsic motivation. However, intrinsic motivation offers numerous benefits: it enhances employee well-being, happiness, energy, and reduces stress and burnout, which in turn boosts productivity and performance. For companies, intrinsic motivation reduces absenteeism and turnover, and increases engagement. Mrs. C., an independent trainer, is tasked with finding innovative ways to boost intrinsic motivation through compulsory project management training for new hires. Utilizing self-determination theory, which emphasises that three contextual factors (autonomy, competence, connection to others) increase intrinsic motivations, the case explores how innovative devices can enhance them. It provides managers and HR with insights on using innovative strategies to engage employees, balancing well-being and performance, and supporting corporate social responsibility.
  Keywords: self-determination theory; intrinsic motivation; autonomy; well-being; engagement.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2024.10065250
   
  
• When the board of directors is confronted by activist shareholders: the case of Danone Group  
  by Ivan Cuesta, Dominique Jacquet, Jordi Diaz 
  Abstract: A firms board of directors is considered an essential element of corporate governance. Its objective is to reduce agency costs, consequent to the separation of ownership and control (Gordon, 2006). Agency issues in corporate governance increase interest for activist events (Brav et al., 2008; Zhu, 2013; Fos, 2017). Danone, with four activist shareholders events between 2012 and 2021, might have faced agency issues that provoked these events. The purpose of this article is to identify any agency issue during this period and to evaluate to which extent it could have been a trigger for activism.
  Keywords: Danone; corporate governance; board of directors; activist shareholder; independent director.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10066145
   
  
• Route success: case study connecting design thinking to student success  
  by David Desplaces, Kristen McMullen, Cory Werkheiser, Todd Drew 
  Abstract: The purpose of this research is to introduce and test a comprehensive activity-based coaching program in an effort to better facilitate career and life planning capacity of undergraduate students. The semi-customised life design program was tailored to help students answer how they should approach the challenge of designing their own life’s path while building the capacity to deal with roadblocks, limitations, and the fear of making choices. Quantitative data shows how the program significantly reduced participants’ sense of career anxiety, improved their sense of hope for the future, and built their self-efficacy while moderately impacting their ability to set goals. This study provides insight on how to implement an institution-wide initiative centred on design thinking.
  Keywords: life design; design your life; coaching; design thinking; learning; empowerment; hopefulness; self-efficacy; goal setting; study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10066480
   
  
• The thief within: a case of broken trust and employee theft  
  by Wendy S. Becker 
  Abstract: Small businesses often lack the resources to provide adequate human resource management systems. Management may lack experience in human resources and neglect to implement adequate control mechanisms. The case is based on a real-life small business collective in which a lack of internal policy and procedures led to insider theft. Students analyse the case using research reviewed from five disciplines clinical psychology, industrial/organisational psychology, criminology, workplace security and organisational science. The objective of the case is to improve student awareness of the importance of basic human resource management functions. Students are asked to put themselves in the managers position and respond to how to prevent future employee theft.
  Keywords: employee theft; human resource management; clinical psychology; industrial/organisational psychology; criminology; workplace security; organisational science; retail employer; pilferage; petty theft; grand theft.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10066513
   
  
• Larkai healthcare: enabling AI in diagnostics and making healthcare accessible and affordable with disruptive technology  
  by Jordi Diaz, Tatiana Harkiolakis 
  Abstract: This case study delves into the entrepreneurial careers of Pritam Dhalla and Abhilash Chakraverty, the founder and co-founder of Larkai Healthcare. The company’s flagship product, WREN, is a smart multiparameter portable device that seamlessly integrates measures of respiratory rate, body temperature, NIBP (Non-invasive blood pressure), and ECG (electrocardiogram) to revolutionize patient monitoring. The benefits of WREN are seen in better patient care, more accessibility to healthcare, and more efficiency. The case explores the origins of Larkai, Pritam’s product developmental history, Abhilash’s business and financial heft, and the difficulties encountered in early business when artificial intelligence was still in the realm of theory. Due to its global ambitions, Larkai faces a unique challenge: how to balance quick innovation with a variety of legal environments. Larkai’s case sets an example for the industry by demonstrating how a purpose-driven approach may result in financial success while having a beneficial global impact.
  Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Larkai Healthcare; artificial intelligence; patient monitoring; healthcare accessibility; healthcare affordability; funding strategies; innovation; disruptive innovation; regulation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10066627
   
  
• Miles and TechCo: teaching management students about motivation-related topics through a case study  
  by Brandon Tomlin, William H. Ross 
  Abstract: This case study recounts the seasonal employment of a young worker named Miles at a technology retail store. Various managers attempt to persuade him to upsell (sell additional services); however, he is resistant because he feels most customers do not want or need such services; he is also reluctant to use unethical sales tactics. The case affords an opportunity to apply concepts from various organisational behaviour (OB) topics, including personal ethics and various motivation theories (e.g., social learning theory, self-determination, and self-concordance theory). Organisational politics, stress, and leader-member exchange (LMX) theory of leadership are also considered.
  Keywords: self-determination theory of motivation; self-concordance theory; social learning theory; ethics; organisational politics; stress; organisational justice; LMX leadership theory.
  
  
• How can Mr L. teach his teams ethical decision-making through sensemaking case from daily life?  
  by Carole Bataillard, Catherine Lejealle 
  Abstract: Part of corporate social responsibilities, managers have to teach their team about ethical behaviour and sensemaking behaviours. This case analyses a daily situation where a manager faced an ethical situation. This situation is used by Mr. L., a manager of a big firm to teach his teams, as it is more efficient then situations from workplaces, where participants try to decipher who the protagonists are and could not concentrate on the situation. The case study is made to lead students to study the opportunities for sensemaking in an ambiguous and ethical situation. Two conceptual frameworks are retained for the analysis of the case: 1) the theory of sensemaking and 2) compensatory strategies to improve sensemaking in ethical decision-making.
  Keywords: sensemaking; ethical decision-making; EDM; leadership; corporate social responsibilities.
  
  
• The future is now: a comparative case study of three innovative adult education approaches in Singapore  
  by Zinette Bergman, Zan Chen, Helen Bound, Manfred Max Bergman 
  Abstract: Digital technologies and worldwide connectivity are rapidly transforming education and employment sectors globally, generating innovative approaches to skills and knowledge development that serve as the backbone of such transformations. Driven by public-private partnerships between industry, educators, and policymakers, Singapore's adult education sector offers insights into how the future of education could look like. In this paper, we present three pioneering training and adult education providers - Tech Tree, ROHEI, and NTUC LHUB - to illustrate how they embrace in different ways a future-oriented learning ecosystem. To examine their innovative approaches, we assess them in relation to seven education shifts associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution as outlined by Peter Fisk (2017a). We furthermore identify ecosystem characteristics that facilitate their success. We conclude by tracing potential pathways for innovation and adaptation in response to a changing education and employment environment.
  Keywords: adult education; adult learning; Singapore; qualitative comparative case study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2024.10065388
   
  
• Leveraging AI solutions for digital marketing by SMEs in Morocco: the case of Datacemia  
  by Rachid Ejjami 
  Abstract: Morocco, a developing North African nation, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to digitise its marketing efforts. Datacemia, a unique SME, demonstrates how Moroccan SMEs may employ artificial intelligence for digital marketing. Datacemia demonstrates that SMEs may prosper in Morocco's digital landscape despite financial and technological challenges. AI-powered digital marketing can help SMEs improve their performance and sustainability. Datacemia's journey is investigated using an embedded single-case study design to highlight Moroccan SMEs' strategic usage of AI in digital marketing. The study examines archival data, content analysis, and expert insights to identify Datacemia's AI success factors, such as decision-making and AI-driven marketing campaign execution and optimisation. These findings answer the research question by demonstrating how Datacemia used AI in digital marketing, inspiring Moroccan SMEs to adopt new technology. The paper highlights AI's importance in digital marketing and advocates for more research to help SMEs by improving AI and digital marketing techniques and skills.
  Keywords: AI in digital marketing; AI success factors; Datacemia; digital transformation; Moroccan SMEs.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10068000
   
  
• Critical success factors for reskilling and upskilling engineer leaders in customised executive education programs: multiple case study  
  by Sarah Haverland 
  Abstract: Sparse research on customised executive education programs leaves a gap in the extant literature on the critical success factors needed for reskilling and upskilling engineers in leadership development. This multiple case study addressed executive education program experts' views on the critical success factors (CSFs) needed in customised executive education programs for reskilling and upskilling engineers in leadership development. Semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, archival data, and reflective field notes constituted the multiple data sources. Through thematic analysis and cross-case synthesis and analysis, 20 themes were identified from the five coding categories. Recommendations are made for future research directions and social change initiatives on the critical success factors for reskilling and upskilling engineers in leadership development to support their midcareer transitions and ensure livelihoods amidst disruptive global events.
  Keywords: critical success factors; CSFs; customised executive education programs; engineering leadership; joint training; professional development response; reskilling; upskilling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10068002
   
  
• Investigating change management as a novel digital wallet service innovation in banks: a case of Indian bank  
  by Pooja Jain, Pankaj Singh, Ruchi Kushwaha 
  Abstract: This case study research is focused on change management phenomenon in the form of a digital wallet service innovation in one of the leading private sector banks in India. This study focuses on the problem of service improvement in a private bank's financial service portfolio through the use of innovative digital services like digital wallets. The Bank's Managing Director, Mr. Puri revamped the traditional cash transaction system with new innovations and transformed banking services digitally by launching their bank's digital wallet, i.e., 'PayZapp'. Mr. Puri's main focus was to capture the market of mobile wallets so that people can start using their financial services more and more digit ally. The problem faced by the bank with this innovative system was how to make this app user-friendly for the customers and build the same trust again for the customers.
  Keywords: strategic management; electronic finance; mobile-wallet; service innovations; change management; banks; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2025.10068001
   
  
• What does Web 3 and NFT bring to consumption practices and to marketing management: the case of Chateau Edmus  
  by Catherine Lejealle, Laurent Flores 
  Abstract: This case study provides a comprehensive understanding of the typology of consumption practices web 3 (NFT, DAO) can bring to customers and to wineries. Learners develop an appreciation of how NFTs' and DAO's adoption by wineries can create experience, play, integration and classification according to Holt's consumer typology of consumption practices. Holt's framework is applied to Chateau Edmus, a Bordeaux winery, led by Laurent David, a former tech manager from Apple. This case gives insight for the marketing management in order to understand which opportunity to prioritize in order to engage customers and foster customer brand relationship, affiliation, distinction or experience.
  Keywords: consumption practices; consumer experience; integration; gaming; Web 3; NFT.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJTCS.2024.10065249