Case Study in SCM based on Business Games

Fakultät

Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften

Version

Version 5.0 vom 14.09.2015

Modulkennung

22M0788

Modulname (englisch)

Case Study in SCM based on Business Games

Studiengänge mit diesem Modul

International Supply Chain Management (MSCM)

Niveaustufe

5

Lehrinhalte

Management Simulation / Business Game

The simulation game should enable participants to reflect on the content of a practice-relevant problem and to recognise its meaning for the overall success of a company.

This is generally done on the basis of the TOPSIM General Management simulation. If it makes sense against the background of specific practical questions, other simulations may also be used, for example, TOPSIM Logistics.

The learning content of the TOPSIM General Management II simulation is described below.

In groups of up to 5 people students take on the role of managers of a virtual company which is active in the photocopier sector. The individual virtual companies of each group of students are in competition with each other within this industry. The participants operate in a complex environment - internally within the company and also externally - and they must make decisions across all of their company's management areas. In particular, these are the areas of marketing, sales, production, product development, purchasing, human resources and finance. Over the course of the simulation the complexity increases due to the integration of additional product generations, new products as well as a further sales market.Through recurring decision-making processes, students learn to apply instruments of management in a goal-orientated and systematic way to a number of situations which are also affected by time-pressure and uncertainty.Students have to interpret economic and market information as well as data from detailed internal reporting for the basis of reaching goal-orientated decisions. A high level of management quality is to be ensured throughout, in that students develop a comprehensive system of objectives and a management information system. The quality of these systems is made clear via extensive documentation compiled by students in the conception phase and during the individual simulation periods. This process makes clear to students why process and structural organisation are important for successful management.

After completing the simulation game, the potential for using management simulations in management training is reflected discussed.

The time sequence during a simulation is described below:

1st part:Determining the organisational framework, introduction to the simulation game

2nd part:
8 rounds (each corresponds to 1 financial year) in which the participants have to make the business decisions described above. Each round concludes with a simulation of the market, the result of which shows the success of each individual company. These results are made available to the individual simulation groups via paper-based and electronic reports, and form the basis of management decisions for the new financial year along with an economic forecast.

3rd part:Joint final analysis: The individual groups present their objectives, strategies and measures, and explain the profit development of their companies. If appropriate, interim presentations may be held by the individual teams of students during the 8 rounds.

Lernergebnisse / Kompetenzziele

Wissensverbreiterung
Students who successfully complete this module as participants in the business game, gain the perspective of a manager through the learning process which takes place during the course of the simulation. They are able to review and assess the complex network of operating procedures of the sample company in an overall context.
Wissensvertiefung
Students who successfully complete this module as participants in the business game, have an advanced knowledge of individual functional areas of the enterprise and an increased understanding of functional and inter-company interdependencies. They are able to develop a company policy, to implement it and adapt it in view of altered environmental conditions to the new circumstances.
Können - instrumentale Kompetenz
Students who successfully complete this module as participants in the business game, will have improved the quality of work for decision-making preparation by means of repeated execution of tasks (e.g. budgets/cost calculations, evaluation of operating results, plans for development scenarios).
Können - kommunikative Kompetenz
Students who successfully complete this module as participants in the business game will have improved their skills in leadership communication, negotiation methods and presenting results. They will also have practised their team, integration and motivation skills through their work within their group.
Können - systemische Kompetenz
Students who successfully complete this module as participants in the business game, will have advanced their key skills, for example, dealing with cross-linked structures, dealing with uncertainty in decision-making, problem-solving skills, strategic-thinking skills - including under time pressure.

Lehr-/Lernmethoden

Business GameFollowing an introduction to the business game, participants are divided into groups. They receive the assignment, each take on a role in management of a virtual company and simulate their leadership behaviour (active learning in groups). The companies form a competitive market in which they "fight" for market shares (simulation game as experimental learning environment for the assessment of the usefulness of "theoretic", aggregated knowledge for success of business activities). The facilitator provides support to the participants by assisting the groups with any problems and controlling the reflective work which is important for the learning outcomes.

Empfohlene Vorkenntnisse

General Understanding of the Principles of Business Administration

Modulpromotor

Temme, Thomas

Lehrende
  • Buning, Gerhard
  • Temme, Thomas
Leistungspunkte

10

Lehr-/Lernkonzept
Workload Dozentengebunden
Std. WorkloadLehrtyp
10Vorlesungen
10Lehrgespräche
Workload Dozentenungebunden
Std. WorkloadLehrtyp
10Veranstaltungsvor-/-nachbereitung
140Referate
30Literaturstudium
100Hausarbeiten
Literatur

Gerry Johnson, Kevan Scholes and Richard Whittington"Strategisches Management - Eine Einführung: Analyse, Entscheidung und Umsetzung" , Pearson Studium, 2011

Thomas Hutzschenreuter, Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre, 5. Auflage, Springer Gabler, 2013

Topsim General Management, Participants' Manual

Prüfungsleistung

Hausarbeit und Referat

Bemerkung zur Prüfungsform

Essay assignments/presentations

Dauer

1 Semester

Angebotsfrequenz

Nur Wintersemester

Lehrsprache

Deutsch und Englisch