As an Adjunct Professor with a Canadian Christian College, the use of vignettes and or case studies is a most valuable tool in instruction; both initial and remedial, assessment, action, application of solutions, immediate and extended implications and effects of the chosen solution to a myriad of recognizable and hidden aspects. Additionally, vignettes evaluate the total vision being applied to the issue.  The focus of the response is observed as centered topically or multifaceted.  Is the respondent taking a broad or limited view?  Concerning practical application within business, the vignette is an excellent tool for staff development at any level, on any topic, or can even be used in the interview process.  The vignette can simply and directly teach, develop, expand the skills by showing how one decision has many effects and reaches those we expect to touch, but also, those we do not expect to influence.  Many times in the interview process, the vignette is used.  The source of the vignette generally comes from three areas: a situation already encountered and solved, a situation encountered and not solved, or a situation expected - but not yet encountered and not solved.  As a CEO of a nationwide corporation, the application of the vignette is instrumental in selecting a best course of action or process for current or future issues. 

The development of the vignette situation is not as important as the categorization of areas of influence or issues within the scenario presented.  Accurate analysis and determination of realms of influence for future discussion and depth of application of ethics, process, legal, practical, interpersonal development and impacts, internal/external perceptions, and more.  In this regard, a leader gains the ability to salvage a failing performance to successful completion of an objective.  Application of the vignette can be to a simple or complex point.  The time required to apply the vignette can be short or long, depending on the desired depth of learning.  It is an amazing tool with an almost unlimited application.  

I hope this helps.  I have used this method successfully for many years and in many situations.

Vignettes can be an excellent tools for research. It enables researchers to make use of the subject's own voice and produce a rich narrative, rather than simply presenting analysis of dry data. Thus, it is more interesting to the end reader. Within a positivist research paradigm, such an instrument would probably be regarded as lacking rigour but could still be useful in generating discussion and developing research background and questions/hypotheses. Within an interpretive or critical paradigm, vignettes can provide rich, anecdotal evidence for reflection.

Thank you both for your thought provoking answers. It appears there are many uses of vignettes in addition to the construction of vignettes as a method to enable data collection to occur. I am going to now further explore their application in relation to my own research and teaching practice.