by Jiri Erbes
CZACRA - The Czech Association for Case Method Research & Application was founded in 1994 by lecturers of the Faculty of Economics of Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic. The founders of CZACRA were significantly influenced by the activities of two organizations - WACRA® and NACRA.
During the first two years of its existence, CZACRA focused on the promotion of the case method and on increasing its membership base. CZACRA members organized seminars on methodology for faculty from Czech Universities, mainly Business faculty, secondary school teachers, lecturers at private educational institutions and consulting firms. A major effort was directed toward writing, publishing and exchanging original Czech case studies. This period culminated with the 1st International CZACRA conference from September 10-12, 1996 prepared and directed by faculty of the Department of Economics at Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, South Moravia, Czech Republic.
The main objective of the conference was to assess the present environment at universities, high schools and management training centers for the introduction and use of case studies and other interactive methods. The conference was successful in making the case study method better known and generate enthusiasm for its application. Plenary session presentations focused on research methodologies and case writing activities. Workshops were conducted in the following areas: 1. The Global Enterprise Environment, 2. Czech Enterprises and the Market Economy, 3. Interactive Training and Multimedia, 4. Young (beginning) Authors.
Participants (80 regular CZACRA members and 16 post-graduate students) from eleven Czech and three Foreign Universities, secondary schools, private institutions and consulting firms presented 49 papers and case studies. The program included an excursion to a castle in South Moravia, the University farm and the tasting of excellent wine produced by the farm.
Professor Zdenek Posvar was elected President for a two year term. CZACRA decided to adopt a two year conference cycle with one day workshops in between. The first of these workshops took place on September 10, 1997 at the Technical University in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Jiri Erbes is Senior Lecturer at Mendel University, BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC. He is also a member of the WACRA® Advisory Board.