Simulation Gaming: The Confluence of Quantitative and Behavioral Theory

CRITICS ASSERT THAT SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS INADEQUATELY PREPARE FUTURE MANAGERS FOR A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY THROUGH THEIR TENDENCY TO DICHOTOMIZE INSTRUCTION INTO BEHAVIORAL THEORY AND QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES. THE EMERGENCE OF COMPLEX SIMULATION GAMING MAY BE THE ANSWER TO THIS. SIMULATION GAMING CAN BENEFICIALLY INTEGRATE THE QUANTITATIVE AND BEHAVIORAL THEORIES, WHEN USED CREATIVELY UNDER THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES - 1. IT IS CRITICAL TO DEFINE RELEVANT GAME PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. 2. THE SIMULATION SHOULD LEND ITSELF TO QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES. 3. AUXILIARY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE AND CONVENIENT. 4. FORMAL REPORTS OF ANALYSES SHOULD BE REQUIRED OF STUDENTS. 5. THE OBSERVATION AND EXPERIENCING OF INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS SHOULD OCCUR UNDER CONDITIONS OF STRESS AND UNCERTAINTY. 6. THE SIMULATION MODEL PARAMETERS SHOULD BE DESIGNED CREATIVELY.