Research Reports from the Department of Operations
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
1-1-1966
Abstract
The area of investigation of this study was that of the use of a business decision simulation to determine profiles of decision-making skill and modes of play of students in business administration. The objective of this research was to determine relationships between the educational background and training of business administration students and their proficiency in decision-making, together with their basic modes of decision-making. The research program involved the use of a new computer-programmed general management business decision simulation which simulates an interesting, multi-firm industry which was designed primarily for teaching and research purposes. The technique used in this study revolved around the use of programmed players, called standard players, which made the decisions required for all but one of the firms in the industry, whose decisions were made by one student participant. This was done for the purpose of controlling the interactive elements of the simulation, to introduce an absolute and consistent standard of competition, and to isolate the decisions made by each student participant, while retaining the dynamic and competitive aspects of the simulation. Over 100 students participated in this study. Most were graduating seniors, some were second year graduate students, and some were practicing executives participating in a management development program. This paper presents a discussion of the technique and a description of the simulation and of the goals, policies, and overall decision-making process of the programmed players.
Keywords
Operations research, Business education--Simulation methods, Decision making--Study and teaching, Business--Simulation games, Computer simulation--Research, Business students-- Decision making, Educational tests and measurements--Evaluation
Publication Title
Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
Issue
Technical memorandum no. 68
Rights
This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use
Recommended Citation
Braasch, John M., "Business Games, Programmed Players, and Individual Decision-Making Profiles - Basic Technique" (1966). Research Reports from the Department of Operations. 65.
https://commons.case.edu/wsom-ops-reports/65