Int. J. Teaching and Case Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2020 173
Copyright © 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Experiential learning with live case studies
Michael Neubert*, Wolfgang Rams and
Hannes Utikal
Provadis School of International Management and Technology,
Industry Park Höchst – Building B845,
65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Email: michael.neubert@provadis-hochschule.de
Email: wolfgang.rams@provadis-hochschule.de
Email: hannes.utikal@provadis-hochschule.de
*Corresponding author
Abstract: The purpose of this mixed method study is to explore the opinions of
students, lecturers, and founders/CEOs about the use of live case study firms as
a learning method using the theoretical framework of Kolb’s experiential
learning cycle. The findings suggest that the use of live case study firms in
strategic management classes enhances the in-class learning experience, the
quality of the group work, and the level of learning outcomes of students,
produces high quality and useful output for the live case study firms, and helps
a business school to develop future managers for sustainability firms. The
findings of this study have a high practical significance for students, the
business school, and the live case study firms. This paper also contributes to the
existent literature with its constructive perspective of design learning
experiences, which puts a higher emphasis on learnability through theoretical
and philosophical foundations of experience-based teaching and learning.
Keywords: experiential learning; live case study; business school; strategic
management; international business; higher education.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Neubert, M., Rams, W. and
Utikal, H. (2020) ‘Experiential learning with live case studies’, Int. J. Teaching
and Case Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp.173–190.
Biographical notes: Michael Neubert is a Lecturer at the Provadis School of
International Management and Technology. He teaches international business
and strategic management. His main research interests are international
entrepreneurship and experiential learning in international business and
strategic management.
Wolfgang Rams is a Professor at the Provadis School of International
Management and Technology. He is the Head of the Start-Up Coaching
Program at the Center of Industry and Sustainability (ZIN).
Hannes Utikal is a Professor at the Provadis School of International
Management and Technology. He is the CEO of the Center of Industry and
Sustainability (ZIN).