Takes a critical look at past evaluation efforts on business simulation games and suggests some concrete guidelines for meaningful evaluation of such games in the future. Thirteen references are appended. (Author/LLS)

Discussion of the use of business simulations in the classroom focuses on performance measurement and evaluation of managerial potential of individual players. The use of profit figures as a performance measure is examined, problems with evaluation by profits are described, and the use of forecasts and estimates as alternative evaluation criteria…

Describes two studies conducted to test the hypotheses that groups would make more risky decisions than individuals when insignificant consequences were present, and that groups would make more conservative decisions than individuals when significant consequences were present. Twenty references are listed. (LLS)

Designed to determine the number of business simulation game users in universities and the business community, this study is based on a survey of business school deans and faculty and business and consulting firms. Results indicate fairly high current usage with good potential for further growth. (LRW)

A study to determine whether a relationship existed between team size and various attitudinal and performance variables in simulation games played by undergraduate business students indicated that group size had no impact on the group's performance, but that it was strongly related to the amount of dissension in the group. (LLS)

Describes a study to determine the existence and extent of differences in the ways men and women perceive simulation exercises. From the data presented, it is concluded that there do seem to be important sex-based differences. Sixteen references are listed. (LLS)

Description of WQM, a simulation game designed to introduce students to the water quality management function, emphasizes the decision-making process involved in various facets of business. The simulation model is described, computer support is explained, and issues in water resource management are discussed. (13 references) (LRW)

This 10-year literature update of Greenlaw and Wyman's review of teaching effectiveness of collegiate-level business games reviews research on top-management or functionally integrated games and functional games which emphasize specific business operations areas. Conclusions are drawn on business gaming's teaching effectiveness, and observations…

Describes RESTSIM, an interactive computer simulation program for graduate and upper-level undergraduate management, marketing, and retailing courses, which introduces naive users to simulation as a decision support technique, and provides a vehicle for studying various statistical procedures for evaluating simulation output. (MBR)

Describes a longitudinal study designed to determine whether a positive correlation exists between the economic performance of college seniors in a business decision-making simulation (The Business Management Laboratory) and business career success 5 years later as measured by salary level, salary improvement, promotions, and job satisfaction.…

Presents two models of group decision making that integrate mathematical, multicriteria models with behavioral problem-solving concepts. The results of an empirical test that used the Business Management Laboratory simulation game are reported, and the performance of the two integrated models is compared with the performance of a nonintegrated…

Describes a pilot investigation that used a computer-based total enterprise simulation as a research methodology for studying management decision making with students in an MBA program. Discussion of performance criteria highlights return on investment (ROI) as the best measure of group performance, and future research needs are suggested. (eight…

Reviews the development of integrated business policy and strategic management courses, or capstone courses, in business school curricula. A simulation game is described that incorporates the need for computer literacy, decision support systems (DSS), and interaction to effectively meet the needs for a capstone course. (14 references) (LRW)

Describes a rigorously controlled study comparing university students' perceptions of learning from a business simulation and from cases in a business policy course. Results indicate students perceive both cases and simulations as viable and valuable instructional methods, although cases are perceived to be generally superior to simulations. (MBR)

This discussion of research methodologies and performance prediction in business simulations describes a study of undergraduates that considered time in the prediction of simulation performance, and explored how relationships between performance and its antecedents vary over the simulation's duration. Hypotheses tested are explained and results of…