An Investigation of The Need For Valid Business Game Algorithms

Abstract

The relationship between a simulation’s face validity and its algorithmic validity was investigated in a formal manner. Student players were unable to detect a major “glitch” which had been inserted into the demand creation function of a rather complex business game. Algorithms were described in the same fashion regardless of the degree of error contained in the algorithm. Algorithmic validity may be a feature of a successful simulation as most descriptions of the game’s algorithms were accurate representations of their true nature.