From August 23 to 25, 2023, the first International Workshop on Excellent Cases of MBA Programs was conducted at Tsinghua University. This event was organized by the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as CNMESC) and the Chinese Society of Academic Degrees and Graduate Education. It was hosted by the China Business Case Center of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM). More than 70 faculty members from 60 or more MBA programs across the country participated in the workshop to engage in discussions and knowledge exchange.

BAI Chong-En, vice chairman of the CNMESC and dean of Tsinghua SEM, extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the attendees of this event, including the experts and scholars actively engaged in case studies. BAI said the development and construction of cases play a crucial role in the advancement of MBA education. It has consistently been one of the major tasks highly esteemed and vigorously promoted by the CNMESC. In this new era of higher education, case studies will be an important tool for enhancing the quality of graduate programs with professional degrees in China.

BAI Chong-En delivers a keynote speech.

LI Jizhen, vice dean of Tsinghua SEM, said that in recent years, other international business schools have shown growing interest in the Chinese experience. Simultaneously, business schools in China are motivated to share China’s story on the international stage. With valuable opportunities and a broader outlook, case teaching is expected to flourish in China, pushing management education in the country toward high-quality and in-depth development.

LI conducted a teaching demonstration on a case study titled "Golden Eagle Group: Resolving 'Not-In-My-Back-Yard' through Environmental Protection Innovation." The purpose was to share experience in case development and teaching. Both Asia Symbol and Sateri, which are part of the Golden Eagle Group, had encountered environmental challenges that could affect their survival. The common issued faced by leaders of these companies was whether to relocate or stay, and how to coexist and prosper within the cities in which they are operated. Using this case as a basis for discussion, LI posed the question "What is the most crucial mission of a company?" and engaged the attending faculty members. During the sharing session, LI used the case development process of the China Business Case Center at Tsinghua SEM as an example to explain the steps, procedures, and important considerations in case development. He emphasized that cases should blend practical experience with theoretical innovation to promote academic progress.

LI Jizhen speaks at the workshop.

WANG Xueli, a tenured associate professor at the Department of Leadership and Organization Management at Tsinghua SEM, conducted a teaching demonstration using the "NetentSec" cases and shared her experience in case development. Building on the series of cases of NetentSec, WANG and attending faculty members discussed the principles, means, and methodology for selecting partners for entrepreneurs, as well as the establishment and operation process of entrepreneurial teams. She provided a comprehensive explanation of the criteria, processes, and instructional strategies involved in case development.

WANG Xueli speaks at the workshop.

Professor SU Ning from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, shared his experience in case teaching and development. Drawing from his teaching experience and questions posed by attending faculty members, he gave insights into case writing, case teaching analysis, and related skills. SU said because the complexity of cases varies, suitable cases should align with the teaching objectives of the course and the specific needs of students. These cases can be selected from and crafted with analytical, conceptual, and narrative perspectives. Using the example of Alibaba, SU encouraged attending faculty members to design, teach, and discuss case studies from multiple angles, such as technological innovation, strategy, sustainable development, and corporate governance. He offered further analysis and guidance based on group discussions.

SU Ning speaks at the workshop.

ZHAO Ziqian, administrative director of the China Business Case Center at Tsinghua SEM, delivered a keynote speech titled "Translation and Editing of English Cases." She presented an overview of the China Business Case Center, followed by an explanation of the writing framework, misunderstandings, translation processes, and things to notice when teaching from domestic and international cases. She emphasized the significance of copyright and ways to avoid infringement through various cases.

ZHAO Ziqian speaks at the workshop.

CHENG Manli, director of the National Institute of Strategic Communication and Professor of the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, delivered a keynote speech titled "New Situation and New Topics - Constructing China's International Communication Capacity." She began by discussing the initiation and process of constructing China's international communication capacity and then analyzed its roadmap in the new era. CHENG drew attention to the need for expansion of China's discourse capacity. She emphasized that addressing doubts has become a top priority, making it urgent to gain mastery of discourse power, shift from a passive to active stance, and enhance international communication capacity. She used the example of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which spotlighted China's image, to emphasize the importance and necessity of strengthening and improving international communication in the face of the new international landscape.

CHENG Manli speaks at the workshop.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was presided over by WANG Ping, director of the Secretariat Office of CNMESC.

WANG Ping presides over the opening ceremony.

The International Workshop of Excellent Cases of MBA Programs has the goal of advancing the global dissemination of cases with Chinese characteristics, enhance their global influence, improve case development and teaching methods, and foster the high-quality advancement of management cases in China. This workshop centers on aspects like case teaching, writing, and international distribution. It invites seasoned faculty members specializing in case studies from prominent domestic and international to participate and share insights. The workshop is dedicated to providing opportunities for case study educators from MBA programs in China to engage in discussions about case writing and teaching capabilities. It aims to present the style of case writing and teaching both domestically and abroad, thereby promoting global exchange and development of China's management cases.

Participants pose for a group photo.