IUPUC faculty members Thomas Clerkin, Ph.D., and Jeffery J. Hittler, published an article and companion teaching notes in a recent edition of the Journal of Applied Case Research.

Clerkin’s article, “Rebuilt to Last: An Organizational Change Initiative, a Case Study,” details the efforts of a Midwestern small-cap manufacturing company to create an organizational philosophy that would serve as the focus for a major organizational development change effort. 

The case is divided into four major sections.  The first is a historical overview of the company.  The second section describes the company’s efforts to establish its vision and the process used to establish core values and principles.  The third section summarizes subsequent events and its impact on the organizational change effort attempted by the company.  The fourth section serves as the Afterword.

“The philosophy and subsequent change effort were not enough to prevent the company’s ultimate demise,” Clerkin said.  

Clerkin and Hittler co-authored the companion teaching notes that accompanied the article. This document was designed as a resource for faculty to use in integrating this case into their course content. The case is intended primarily for undergraduate business students in a capstone management course as well as MBA students studying strategic management to evaluate a major organizational change effort. It has been used in both undergraduate and MBA courses on the IUPUC campus.

The Journal of Applied Case Research (JACR) is a publication of the Southwest Case Research Association. JACR publishes teaching cases in all business disciplines.

Clerkin is an assistant professor of business and Hittler is a lecturer of business for the Division of Business at IUPUC.