The Solver:

A PhD student researching the integration of technology with business strategy needed access to companies for case studies.

The response:

Given the potentially confidential nature of this work, a company that had already had collaborations with the university was deemed appropriate.

In the event, a large domestic appliance company, supplying international markets, proved to be a willing and effective host.

The outcomes:

It was effective for the student in terms of providing excellent access over a three month period of intense collaboration and observation.

For the company it was beneficial in terms of renewing some of their strategic planning activities based on recent research findings from the university.

Success factors in achieving a good outcome

• A good level of trust between the parties, in addition to the usual confidentiality agreements, was necessary for this case study to be useful to both.
• The confidentiality for the company was achieved by anonymising all relevant sections of the final thesis.

Note:  this is a real project that has been anonymised for confidentiality and to provide an example of the type of project that might be suitable