Successful case studies..err..are they? (Should have been Published atleast a month ago!)

Remember all those case studies done in MBA about Japanese Car makers' plants in USA revolutionizing the automobile processes.
I was just going through the latest news and I came across an article which is a big news in certain circles for sure.
Toyota is closing down its first plant in USA, the plant in California. What does this indicate?
Besides the fact that California is no longer the destination for investment, this is the first time that Toyota has ever closed a plant.
The plant in USA, especially the one in California initiated the successful journey of Toyota in USA. Last year it replaced Ford as the largest selling car marker in USA.
During the MBA course curriculum, The Toyota plant in USA along with the plant of Honda in Ohio were a part of the major case studies discussed for "Corporate Strategy" and also for "Operations management" to understand its "Lean" processes. The success stories of one time are no longer the ones sought after.
Similar is the case with the Honda's Ohio plant in USA. It started manufacturing motorcycles in USA in 1976 and heralded Honda as one of the best motorcycle manufacturers. But in 2007 Honda decided to stop the production of the motorcycles in USA from spring 2009, bringing an end to the success story.
When the decisions taken by a company are analyzed in a case study, the circumstances and the timing of the study become crucial, since the success story may not remain eternal.
The facts presented in a case study are mere numbers and a better perspective can be acheived by interacting with the actual people involved in the decision making process being discussed in any case study.
Take the example of "Subhiksha", the erstwhile one of the most sought after retail company in India for performing case studies. Every one realizes now that "Subhiksha" is in troubled waters. But the company is trying its best to get through the rough seas.
So, things do not remain stable and hence case studies may never become perpetual and may not remain as successful case studies for learning purposes. So do not worry too much about not pondering about too many case studies ;)

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