WHY THE HOT MOMMAS PROJECT - THE CASE FOR CASES
The case for cases
The Hot Mommas® Project cases are designed to encourage success by incorporating the following important factors in our curricula in addition to key business lessons.
1. Role models are tied to success.
Our cases provide role models on paper and online, for free. Studies show women are less likely to network and promote themselves than their male counterparts and that girls and women are more likely to limit their career aspirations due to lack of confidence in their abilities (Bandura, 1992, Bandura, A., Barbaranelli, C., Caprara, G., & Pastorelli, C., 2001). Access to role models in the form of case studies is a known successful intervention or solution to this issue (Cox, Mueller, & Moss, 2002). The Hot Mommas® Project provides curricula focused on role modeling and personal leadership - as well as key business and professional skills - housed within a credible, proven, award-winning case study framework.
2. Work-life balance is a growing concern.
Our cases include real models of work-life balance issues and actionable solutions. Work-life balance is a top 3 future concern in virtually every region of the world according to a study conducted by BCG, WFPMA, and SHRM. In the US alone, the number of dual income households doubled between 1980 and 2005. Two-thirds of all US households with children 18 or younger are dual income. The problems associated with work-life balance are well defined, however the solutions are not. In exploring our case library, readers can begin to play a role in their own work-life balance solutions.
3. It works.
Our case approach increases retention of key concepts by 33% for an undergrad or MBA student based on preliminary pilot testing. Our case approach is derived from research, and helps business and non-business students learn through a personal identification with the case protagonist. Our cases have been published in a leading Prentice Hall textbook, and used as part of programs by the International Finance Corporation, Visa Practical Money Skills, and the GWU Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program (the recipient of a 2007 USASBE Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Award leading to a Fortune Small Business Ranking of GWU’s entrepreneurship program). The Hot Mommas® Project is also the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation Case Award.
More on case studies
What is a case study? A case study is an educational tool made famous by Harvard Business School. Cases can range in length from 2 to 30 pages and relay a story about a business or person. Each case has one or more teaching objectives. Overall, case studies serve as a bridge between theory and reality and move the reader as close as possible to a real-life experience. The Hot Mommas Project cases are a hybrid between a case study and a blog, and focused on the personal perspectives, lessons, and challenges of our diverse base of case protagonists.