CBS re­mains among the world’s lead­ing in­sti­tu­tions for case-based teach­ing

When students work with a case, they are not necessarily presented with a problem that has one correct answer. Instead, they have to analyse a specific situation, apply their theoretical knowledge and make the case for different possible solutions.

This is exactly one of the advantages of case-based teaching, says Anna Thomasson, Dean of Education at CBS.  She has many years of experience with this approach and has helped develop case-based teaching at Lund University as well as coached case teams.

“Students develop tremendously when they work with cases. Applying theory to specific problems gives them a deeper understanding of the subject matter while also developing their analytical competences. Teaching also becomes much more engaging because students play a more active role and help shape the discussion,” says Anna Thomasson.

Case-based teaching also means that teaching activities rarely unfold in exactly the same way from one class to another. The students’ analyses, questions and perspectives help determine the direction of the discussion and which aspects of a problem are explored in greater depth.

“It makes teaching more lively and varied.  As a lecturer, you do not necessarily know in advance exactly where the discussion will end up. The students challenge each other and the lecturer, which can make teaching more enjoyable as well as make it more enjoyable to be taught,” says Anna Thomasson.

CBS cases are used around the world

CBS’ work with case-based teaching also reaches beyond the university. Cases developed by lecturers at CBS are used at universities and business schools around the world.

This is reflected in The Case Centre Impact Index 2026, where CBS ranks 10th among the world’s most influential institutions for case-based teaching.

This year’s ranking also means that CBS has been among the top 15 institutions worldwide in all four years since The Case Centre introduced its Impact Index in 2023.

CBS ranked ninth in both 2023 and 2025 and 11th in 2024. With this year’s 10th place, CBS maintains its consistent position among the world’s leading institutions in terms of the reach and use of teaching cases.

Nordic perspectives on leadership and sustainable business

Many CBS cases are developed through Nordic Case House and CBS Free Case Collection. They bring Nordic perspectives on leadership, sustainability, ethics and responsible business into specific challenges faced by companies and organisations.

Cases therefore give students the opportunity to engage with complex real-world challenges while turning research and academic perspectives from CBS into teaching materials that can be used far beyond CBS.

CBS’ consistently high position in The Case Centre Impact Index shows that the material is finding its way into classrooms around the world.

“The ranking shows that our cases are used far beyond CBS. This helps bring Nordic perspectives on leadership and sustainable business to an international audience. Ultimately, however, the most important thing about cases is what they bring into the classroom: they encourage students to analyse and discuss issues themselves and apply theory to specific problems. That is where the approach really comes into its own,” says Anna Thomasson.