HBS Cases

About the Case Method

Harvard Business School pioneered the case method of teaching in the 1920s as a way of bringing management lessons to life in the classroom. The HBS case method presents real-life situations that executives have faced and asks readers to consider how they would respond. Today the vast majority of HBS classes are built on the case method. Our exhibit, From Inquiry to Action: Harvard Business School & the Case Method, provides an in-depth look at the teaching practice.

Requesting Cases from the Library

Baker Library provides active HBS cases to students currently enrolled in an HBS MBA or doctoral course only.

Baker Library's HBS Archives also maintains a collection of approximately 45,000 retired (inactive) cases available to all users for their research.

Please use the forms below to request cases.

Individuals not currently enrolled in an HBS MBA or Doctoral course may purchase cases from the Harvard Business Review Store.

Educators may visit Harvard Business School Publishing for Educators to purchase cases for teaching.

Requesting Cases (General Public)

Educators: Please visit Harvard Business School Publishing for Educators to search for and purchase cases for teaching.

Non-Educators may purchase HBS cases from the Harvard Business Review Store.