Determinants of Performance in Computer Simulations

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to identify factors which affect performance in computer-based business games. Its design entailed analyzing the relationship of 28 individual predictor variables to game performance. The predictor variables fell into six categories: academic ability, confidence, motivation, interest, cohesion and structure. Seventy two seniors playing The Tempomatic IV (Thompson and Strickland, 1980) participated. Eight predictor variables related significantly to performance: grade point average, major. whether teammates knew each other prior to the game, affection for teammates, degree to which teammates worked together as opposed to autonomously, degree to which team decision making was formal, degree to which teams were well organized, desire to play the game as it progressed.