Research on the Effectiveness of Using a Computerized Simulation in the Basic Management Course

Abstract

This paper compares the level of performance in the computerized total-firm simulation with their performance in the traditional textbook-and-lectures part of the course for 210 students in the junior-level basic management course. Analysis is done in relation to (1) differences in general academic performance measured by each student’s total grades at the university, (2) age, (3) previous business experience and (4) attitude toward the simulation itself. The results show that, in general, students do about the same in the unstructured analysis and decision-making environment of the simulation as they do in the traditional “memorize and parrot back” part of the course, although the required skills are different.