Ten case studies taken from the business world are presented to help secondary school students develop a realistic understanding of economic problems. Discussion of the cases can be integrated into economics or social studies programs. By studying concrete examples of business reacting to changing economic conditions, students should learn to understand microeconomic relationships such as business organization, competitive mechanisms, and economic motivation. All but one of the studies describe real situations which have developed during the 1960s and 1970s in the Northeast. All historical and current facts are provided, and students must analyze the data and make business decisions. For example, the development of a national restaurant chain is explained in terms of demographic studies, reasons for past successes and failures, and financial requirements of opening new sites. Three possible new sites are described. Students must consider factors such as location, rent, building redesign, and availability of liquor licenses in selecting the most appropriate site. Other cases involve the future of the shoe industry, viability of an investment company, and relocation of a rubber and golf products company. (AV)