The general attitude of economists towards case study research is rather unenthusiastic. Usually, it is seen at best as a precursor to serious research; perhaps helpful in the early exploratory stages of an emerging research project but soon to be followed by more rigorous research methods. This dismal view appears to ignore the much broader and more versatile role that case studies have played –and continue to play- in the shaping of the NIE. This workshop aims to identify and structure the different roles of case study research in the NIE. It is believed that a fuller awareness of these roles may help students of the NIE to better position their case-based work in the stream of ongoing research and to improve the match between their research designs and the intended contribution of their work.