The geography of HSE GSB’s teaching case collection expands
The expansion of the geographical scope of the case collection marks another step in the implementation of HSE University’s strategy as a national research university of world-class standing, focused on ensuring Russia’s technological leadership. Case-based learning is considered the “gold standard” of quality in leading business schools worldwide: students and participants analyse real business situations, develop analytical thinking, and learn to make managerial decisions under uncertainty.
The case method holds a special place in the educational model of the HSE Graduate School of Business and is integrated into all programs — from bachelor’s to MBA. To promote this approach in Russia, the National Case Study Resource Centre was established at HSE GSB. Today, its collection includes more than 80 cases developed in accordance with international standards and based on real materials from leading Russian companies such as Sber, Yandex, VTB, VkusVill, OZON, MTS, Aeroflot, Segezha Group, and others, as well as from small and medium-sized enterprises. Now, the Centre’s collection has been enriched with its first case in Japanese — the story of KARVI. KARVI, a Sakhalin-based manufacturer of energy-efficient windows, stands at the crossroads of cultures, technologies, and global change. The Russian production company decided to enter the highly closed and demanding Japanese market — not by force, but with deep respect for Japanese culture, seeking points of connection and mutual trust. The company had already gained experience working in Japan between 2016 and 2022, where, despite many barriers, it managed to make a notable impact. A new stage of development for KARVI began amid climate challenges and Japan’s growing sense of environmental responsibility. In spring 2025, the country’s new Building Energy Efficiency Act came into force, opening the way for large-scale modernisation of buildings and reductions in energy loss. Today, the company is considering various strategies for returning to the Japanese market — from localising production to creating joint ventures. The case demonstrates how innovation can overcome cultural barriers when supported by a deep understanding of the local context and a genuine passion for one’s work. The material was developed by Associate Professors of the Department of Strategic and International Management at HSE GSB, Sergey Shaposhnikov and Sergey Titov, together with KARVI’s CEO, Vladimir Karagulakov.
Associate Professor, Department of Strategic and International Management, HSE GSB
“It is a great honour that the case about the Sakhalin company KARVI became the first in our collection to be published in Japanese. The idea of creating it emerged quite naturally. I have long been studying Japan and cooperating with Japanese companies and universities, and I wanted to show both Russian and Japanese students the real, complex, and multifaceted nature of business interaction between our countries. When I proposed this idea to KARVI’s Director, Vladimir Karagulakov, he enthusiastically supported it and provided invaluable assistance in preparing the materials. This is truly a unique example — not just a story about windows, but a story about ‘windows of opportunity.’
The project has particular value due to the interest shown by Japanese universities: this is the first case about a Russian company in Japan, adapted for an academic audience. Its translation into Japanese allows students and participants to analyse the situation ‘from within’ — not only as a business challenge but also as a lesson in intercultural dialogue.
Associate Professor, Department of Financial Management, Leading Expert at the National Case Study Resource Centre, HSE GSB
“Translating a Russian teaching case into Japanese is not just a linguistic task but a multi-level initiative — a long-term investment in mutual understanding. Its strategic value lies in creating an ‘intellectual bridge.’ This is a step toward deepening economic and business cooperation, strengthening cultural, humanitarian, and diplomatic ties, and developing academic and expert collaboration. The translation of the case enables Japanese students and analysts to conduct a cross-country comparative analysis of approaches to solving similar business problems, which undoubtedly enriches both Japanese and Russian methodologies. This is a step toward bringing the business education systems of the two countries closer together, which could lead to joint MBA programmes and student and faculty exchanges.”
Multilingual cases are becoming an integral part of the educational process at HSE GSB at all levels — from bachelor’s and master’s to MBA and DBA programmes — continuing the tradition of leading global business schools.
The teaching case “Windows to the Land of the Rising Sun: Innovation vs. Tradition” is now available in Russian, English, and Japanese on the platform of the HSE GSB National Case Study Resource Centre.