Developing Computerized Business Gaming Simulations

Abstract

A paradigm for developing computerized business gaming simulations is discussed. Simulation is defined as a replicable representation of a process. Phenotypical representation, or modeling, is distinguished from genotypical representation, or gaming. Definitions of a configurable game, strategy, tactic, and entrepreneurship as they relate to specific games are presented. Gaming simulations should be evaluated on how well they support the genotypical representation of the processes that define the subject of interest. Computerized business gaming simulations may be more appropriate for the assessment of business education than for the enhancement of that education.

A Computer-Assisted Educational Auction Simulation

“…Crookall et al (1986) envision that this type of simulations "will have greater scope and potential than other types when social and socially-mediated processes and skills are seen as important learning outcomes" (p. 370). Thavikulwat (1999) concurs with this observation, but is concerned with technical and administrative difficulties of these simulations. He suggests to contend with the difficulties either by restricting participants' freedom with computer-enforced rules or by expanding it with computeraided procedures.…”

“…These classification schemes relate to the purpose for which a particular simulation may be used. According to Thavikulwat (1999), the term simulation is defined “as a replicable representation of a process” (p. 362). He proposes a classification based on the type of representation.…”

“…CAS couples high participant control with high participant-participant interaction. Thavikulwat (1999) suggests that simulations that are built around genotypical representations are computer assisted. Crookall et al (1986) envision that this type of simulations “will have greater scope and potential than other types when social and socially-mediated processes and skills are seen as important learning outcomes” (p. 370).…”

The Architecture of Computerized Business Gaming Simulations

“…If the process is improperly constrained, it may cause participant damage because re-created reality can be painful (Jones, 1998c). However, if the constraints are unduly restrictive, the re-created process may be so deformed that the process loses the salient aspects of its natural state (Thavikulwat, 1999).…”

Social Choice in a Computer-Assisted Simulation

“…In that contribution (Thavikulwat, 1999), I wrote that I thought that the discovery phase of business simulations had only begun, arguing against Wolfe's (1994) position that the discovery phase had already ended. I asserted that the most appropriate role for computerized simulations was not in the enhancement of business education per se but in the assessment of that education.…”