About the Project

The open-source case study project at Huron University was started in 2022 by MOS professors Richard Bloomfield, and AJ Miller. The goal of the project is to partner with community practitioners and bring real-world challenges into Huron classrooms through the case study method, pairing lived experience with modern management theory while broadening students’ horizons through diverse protagonists, sectors, and organizational models (including non-profit, co-op, and social enterprise). Since its inception additional faculty (Joe Gilvesy, Lauren Nicolaas, and Shahin Pardhan) have joined the team as well as many undergraduate Huron student research assistants to develop and publish teaching cases as open-access resources with Huron’s Library and Learning Services (Ryan Rabie and Katie Oates). The project continues to expand while aligning with Huron’s commitments to experiential learning, global engagement, and replacing costly proprietary cases with locally relevant, socially conscious alternatives that better reflect today’s industry challenges and our students’ lived realities.

Every case is developed through a collaborative process. Faculty, upper-year students, research assistants and community partners work together to tell everyday business stories. Faculty ensure the case aligns with course concepts, while Huron’s Library and Learning Services team, led by Digital Scholarship Librarian Ryan Rabie, support the editing and publication process. Publishing in-house open-source cases also significantly reduces student costs, reducing the high licensing fees charged by external publishers.

Several cases have already been adapted for workshops and case competitions with secondary school students, extending the project’s impact beyond Huron’s campus. Upper‑year students play a central role in this work, analyzing qualitative data, co‑authoring cases, as well as helping prepare teaching notes. This hands-on experience enhances their academic skills and provides practical expertise that distinguishes them in both graduate school applications and professional settings.

Guided by dedicated faculty members Richard Bloomfield, Joe Gilvesy, AJ Miller, Lauren Nicolaas, and Shahin Pardhan, the project continues to build a library of cases that reflects Huron’s MOS program; leading with purpose, making ethical decisions and a commitment to social responsibility.