Robert A. Wells

Purpose and learning benefits of simulations: a design and development perspective

In the development of business enterprise simulations, designers use as their knowledge base theories and business fundamentals drawn from accounting, finance, marketing, economic, production, and management courses. A problem exists, however, as each discipline has alternative procedures, theories, and unresolved issues. Because the simulation designer must choose specific procedures and theories, the personal bias of the designer enters the picture and cannot be avoided even if the designer attempts to avoid bias. The learning benefits of a specific simulation are thereby affected by what is and is not chosen as the knowledge base.

The Multinational Management Game: A Simuworld

Simuworlds include a management game and business case competition. The Multinational Management Game Simuworld (MMG) is based on the Compaq Computer Corporation. The MMG Simuworld is designed so that participants view and feel the operations from a general management level and make decisions. The emphasis of game play is on combinations of strategies similar to those utilized by the microcomputer companies. Participants work in teams and make seven or eight rounds of simulated yearly budgeting decisions. A five‐year strategic plan is completed early in the programme and a five‐year plan for the future is completed and presented at the end of game play. The last five‐year plan also includes the analysis of an up‐to‐date case study about the microcomputer industry and Compaq Computer Corporation. Managerial and organizational learning are prompted through learning diaries, and a de‐briefing period. Participants learn from team activities and from computerized feedback results. Inter‐cultural learning can b...

Management Games and Simulations in Management Development: An Introduction

Management games arose on the scene in the late 1950s and were derived from World War II simulations. Since then, they have grown in use and can be found in most major companies and in most colleges or universities. They provide an experiential framework for learning and applying concepts learned, add interest and even excitement to the classroom and provide a risk free environment for learning.

International Management Games: Laboratories for Performance‐based Intercultural Learning

Reviews briefly the history of management games and outlines the main parts of a game. Lists the best known international management games being utilized in the United States. Provides a complete description of the Multinational Management Game (MMG) along with case histories of management development experiences with MMG in Korea, the Pacific Asian Management Programme, The University of Hawaii, The Japan American Institute of Management Science, a programme in Hungary, and an Executive MBA Programme in the United States. Includes excerpts from student experiences within game play and a short review of research validating games as learning environments.

A Global Management Development Laboratory for a Global World

Previews the characteristics of the global markets rapidly developing throughout the world and highlights development approaches that can respond to the need for global managers. Also reviews a new edition of the Multinational Management Game, a possible approach to training global managers.

A Review of Educational Technology for Management Development

Some of the strengths and weaknesses of using microcomputers, video (disc and tape) and teleconferencing (which may combine with other technologies even when distance is a factor) in business education are explored. It is argued that computers and interactive video appear to be among the most effective methods for learning and that one of their drawbacks – cost – is coming down.