Time

Details

09:15 - 09:30

Registration

09:35 - 09:40

Opening Remarks

Prof. Jun Yang
Dean, Nanyang Business School
President's Chair in Finance

Symposium Welcome

Ir Prof. T.C. Edwin Cheng
Dean, Faculty of Business, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Fung Yiu King – Wing Hang Bank Professor in Business Administration
Chair Professor of Management

Welcome Remarks

Prof. Shimin Chen
Zhu Xiaoming Chair in Accounting
Associate Dean (Case Centre), China Europe International Business School

09:50 - 10:00

Group Photo & Souvenir Presentation

Keynote Speech 1: Agentic AI and the Future of the Case Method

Prof. Jochen Wirtz, National University of Singapore

In this keynote, Prof. Jochen Wirtz explains why Agentic AI is a step-change from deterministic, rule-based AI with examples rooted in service innovation. The implications are translated into practical guides for the case community: how case writing, teaching, and learning need to evolve at a time when AI agents can research, analyse, synthesize, and propose recommendations. The session closes with reflections and examples from his extensive case-writing and teaching experiences to show how to keep case method rigorous and relevant.

Break

11:30 - 12:30

Keynote Speech 2: Developing Impactful Cases in Fast-Moving Technology Markets: Lessons from AI, Platforms, and Digital Transformation

Prof. Feng Zhu, Harvard Business School

The session focuses on Prof. Zhu’s experience in developing cases in settings where the underlying technology, business models, and competitive dynamics are evolving rapidly. Illustrated through the various cases he developed around digital transformation, AI, and platform strategy, Prof. Zhu will discuss how to identify a compelling decision point, balance timeliness with enduring teaching value, connect cases to research ideas, and adapt case teaching when the underlying context keeps changing—especially with AI.

12:30 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:30

Case Teaching Demonstration

Dr Scott Andrews, Worcester Business School, University of Worcester

Dr Scott Andrews works extensively with the Worcester Business School Case Centre as Head of the Business School to deliver case training workshops. Through an ‘example’ case, Scott will deliver a ‘mock classroom session’ where he will work with case scholars to look at ways to improve case delivery in classes. In this ‘workshop-style’ approach, Scott will step out of the case discussion on prespecified occasions to invite participants to reflect on the approaches taken and discuss ways in which key facilitator questions can be used to navigate through case data to encourage greater student participation.

15:30 - 15:50

Break

15:50 - 17:05

Roundtable Discussion: The Case-Method in the Age of AI 

Dr Scott Andrews, Worcester Business School, University of Worcester
Prof. Jochen Wirtz, National University of Singapore
Prof. Feng Zhu, Harvard Business School

Moderator: Prof. Siew Kien Sia, Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University

This roundtable will delve into how generative AI changes (or not) the case ecosystem and the diverse aspects of case method: the craft of researching and writing cases, the design of teaching notes and assignments, and the in-class dynamics of case discussion at a time when students can instantly generate “sound” analyses. It hopes to pool the collective wisdom of the panel speakers and the audience to advance the case community in the age of AI.

Symposium Dinner*

Keynote Speech 3: The Resilience of the Case Method During the Evolution of Management Education

Prof. Paul Beamish, Ivey Business School, Western University

Over the past 40+ years, management education has evolved in numerous ways: embracing use of the internet, steady shortening of course lengths, consideration of a much more complex global environment, and most recently AI. With each of these challenges, academia has debated the negative impacts of each on the case method. Yet, interestingly, the case method continues to thrive. In this talk, Prof. Beamish will delve into the why and how.

*The Symposium Dinner is sponsored by the Centre for Case Learning Excellence, Singapore Management University (SMU)

Time

Details

08:30 - 09:00

Registration

09:00 - 10:00

Keynote Speech 4: The Case Study as a Bridge Between Teaching and Research

Prof. Shameen Prashantham, China Europe International Business School

This keynote explores how academic research can meaningfully interact with case writing and teaching, without assuming they are the same activity. Drawing on the tensions that the researcher-teacher faces between scholarly pursuits and classroom needs, Prof. Prashantham will discuss how cases operate differently in research versus in pedagogy and propose a practical approach to leveraging case study research as a bridge across outputs: from research papers to teaching cases to practitioner pieces. Using illustrative examples based on his experience, he will highlight how interviews and case data can be reconfigured – sometimes in sequence, sometimes beginning with teaching priorities – to create classroom materials that remain grounded in research insight, while also translating research for practice.

10:00 - 10:15

Break

10:15 - 11:15

Keynote Speech 5: From Cases to Catalysts: Transforming Learning through Blended Pedagogy and AI 

Dr Patrick Tan Siong Kuan, Singapore Management University 

The case method has long been a cornerstone of active learning, yet today's learners and rapidly evolving technologies offer new opportunities to reimagine its impact. Drawing on practical examples, Patrick will demonstrate how blended pedagogy and AI can transform traditional case teaching into a more engaging, personalized, and practice-oriented learning experience.

Roundtable Discussion: Case Teaching in Asia-Pacific Business Schools – Practice and Challenges

Prof. Jianping Liang, School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University
Prof. Subhadip Roy, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Ms Netta Sjafei, Indonesia Center for Case Studies and Innovation

Moderator: Dr Justin Law, Director, PolyU Business School Case Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

This roundtable session explores the adoption, opportunities, and pedagogical hurdles of case-based learning across Asia-Pacific business schools, featuring insights from key ASEAN markets. Panelists will address persistent challenges in case writing and classroom facilitation, alongside the transformative impact of generative AI on case analysis and student engagement.  The goal is to provide educators and academic leaders with practical insights and best practices to strengthen the adoption of case-method in their institutions.

12:30 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Case Writing Workshop

Prof. Shimin Chen, China Europe International Business School

This workshop centers on a single question: how to turn real business situations into teaching cases that drive deep classroom discussion. Two case types serve different goals: descriptive cases tell what already happened and are best for analyzing and illustrating concepts and the reasons behind business success and failure; decision cases place students in a real protagonist’s shoes facing an unresolved choice, training analysis and judgment.  A high-quality case must clear three bars — substance, pedagogy, and presentation. The teaching note is at least half the work, with important design and analytical issues to discuss at the workshop. 

Case Presentation

NTU

PolyU

16:00 - 16:15

Break

16:15 - 17:30

Roundtable Discussion: Publishing Business Cases

Prof. Shimin Chen, China Europe International Business School
Ms Candis McInnes, Ivey Publishing
Ms Antoinette Mills, The Case Centre

Moderator: Dr William Wei, Vice President, North American Case Research Association and Professor, Algoma University

A well-crafted business case bridges the boardroom and the classroom, but publishing is what transforms scholarship into lasting global impact. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, shaped by digital technologies, AI, and shifting global dynamics, how do you ensure your work reaches international classrooms? Join leading case publishers and journal editors for an insightful roundtable discussion. Panelists will share actionable insights on submission requirements, review standards, and best practices to help you successfully publish your cases, expand your readership, and enhance your scholarly reputation worldwide.