Journal of Finance Case Research

The Journal of Finance Case Research (JFCR) [ISSN 1527-5426] is a periodical double-blind refereed journal which began in the Fall of 1999. The JFCR seeks decision cases and discussion cases for possible publication. Decision cases should present a complete scenario to the reader, with proper appendices and support information to deal with the issues in the case. Decision cases should be accompanied by a separate teaching note, that guides professors in effectively using the case to enhance the student's experiential learning event. Discussion cases target the exposition of more complex scenarios, and are more clinical in nature, often not necessarily seeking to provide a correct answer or strategy, but to provide a useful and complete anecdotal event or scenario. Although a teaching note should also be prepared for discussion cases, the teaching note often only guides the user through gleaning the particular lessons the case provides.

Journal subscriptions are available through membership in the IFCR. To join, follow instructions on the home page. Subscriptions are also available by paying an equivalent fee for an annually renewable subscription. This option is available for institutions or individuals not desiring to participate as members, but who would like to receive the JITF issues as they are published. To subscribe, fill out the subscription form and pay either via credit card (see home page) or by mailing the form in with your payment.

JFCR Case Styles

Two basic styles for cases are acceptable for publication:

Style #1: DECISION CASES: Decision cases involve the presentation of a detailed real world situation; the case reader is then tasked with identification and/or solution of the problem(s), issue(s),or task(s) involved. The case should be designed such that it is useful to others wishing to use it as a teaching tool. It should include sufficient complexity to solve or address the issues in the case, and should be limited enough to get the lesson(s) across without unnecessarily clouding the issue(s) with extraneous material.

Detailed teaching notes should accompany this type of case. Questions that a reader should answer in the solution of the case should be included in the teaching notes. The case should be appropriate for the specified audience. Some are useful at a variety of course levels and more than one subject area. If so, particular uses should be detailed in the teaching note. The teaching note should be structured to guide professors through using the case. The assumption is that a user of the case is familiar with the subject area, but may not have knowledge that the author would have. Therefore, the teaching note should guide those even with limited knowledge of the specific topic or with limited practical background in using the case to their students' advantage. The teaching note is an important element for potential publication of the case.

Style #2: DISCUSSION CASES: Discussion cases present a story (usually sequential) of a situation and how decision makers handled the problem(s) or issue(s). Our editors have found that these cases are challenging to position as useful teaching tools. Discussion cases often get bogged down in detail, and read more like non-standard textbooks. However, if the topic is interesting, the learning objective defined well, the discussion organized well, and the writing is effective in getting and holding the attention of the reader, they can be effective cases and therefore of interest to the institute. Since the case does not require a solution by the reader, the teaching notes are usually less extensive. Authors of discussion cases should realize that reviewer and editorial requirements may be quite extensive, compared to decision cases. Reviewers sometimes recommend that discussion cases be re-written as decision cases.

Formatting Instructions

We recommend formatting submissions according to the JFCR Guidelines for Authors. While submissions in any format are considered for conferences, the presumption is that journal publication is the ultimate objective of a case submission. If formatted correctly, one less reviewer requirement stands in the way of effective revisions.

Important JFCR Information

The Journal of Finance Case Research (JFCR) is published periodically by the Institute for Finance Case Research (IFCR). It is a double-blind reviewed journal with an acceptance rate no greater than 25%. The Journal is listed in Cabell’s Directory and in many respected listings of high quality journals. Upon receipt, submitted manuscripts are assigned reviewers in the particular subject area of the case. The Journal’s associate editors work closely with the Managing Editor to assure high quality reviews. Reviewers are encouraged to provide useful and relevant commentary on case submissions, even if the manuscript is not suitable for the JFCR. The editorial staff has attempted to have review results back to authors within three months of receipt of a manuscript. The Journal contains cases that meet the quality requirements of the review and editorial process. The Journal may also, from time to time, contain editorial or other special articles designed to encourage more effective case instruction or to clarify Journal policies and objectives. Individuals interested in becoming reviewers for the Journal should contact the Managing Editor.

A publication fee of $57.00 per case will be required upon final acceptance of cases for publication in the JFCR. If a manuscript is accepted for publication, all listed authors must either be IFCR members, or must submit the submission fee prior to publication. Our operations are supported wholly by membership and submission fees. We receive no support from universities or conferences.

Reviewers

Reviewers for the JFCR are asked to provide constructive commentary on case and teaching note submissions. The review process is designed to respectfully and thoughtfully provide guidance concerning content, consistency, appropriateness, conciseness and correctness of the case and teaching note, with the ultimate goal of publishing the best submissions as peer-reviewed quality finance cases.

Case authors are asked to reciprocate by reviewing the work of others. Under normal and cooperative circumstances, this results in reviews being returned to authors in a timely manner, ideally within a few months. A case may go through several revisions prior to publication. The managing editor takes steps to use the same reviewers at each review level. Authors should carefully prepare manuscripts according to format and other requirements to avoid having to re-work the manuscript later in the review process. Reviewers are asked not to provide what are essentially proofreading and correction services (these services are available, for a fee, by contacting the IFCR). Reviewers are provided a suggested review format, but are given substantial freedom to communicate necessary changes to authors.

Review of the work of others in the discipline is sometimes rewarded by universities with service credit. The IFCR will be happy to document service provided by the reviewers. At present there is no remuneration for our reviewers.

Those interested in becoming a JFCR reviewer should contact the Managing Editor, Tim Michael, at michael@uhcl.edu.

We sincerely hope the JFCR can serve your academic publishing needs. Our Contact information is below:

• Dr. Tim Michael, Editor
• Journal of Finance Case Research
• Department of Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Decision Sciences
• University of Houston - Clear Lake
• 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 204
• Houston, TX 77058
• (281) 283-3193
• michael@uhcl.edu