Nine Topic Oriented Mini Simulations: Descriptions, Purposes, and Observations

Authors

  • Terry Dennis
  • Thomas F. Pray

Abstract

The authors have developed and used extensively a variety of computer based mini simulations as pedagogical tools in the teaching of topics within the functional areas of business. Specifically, the simulations are used in courses such as principles of management, personnel, production and operations management, manpower, statistics, forecasting and managerial economics. These topical simulations were developed to assist both undergraduate and graduate business students in understanding concepts, issues, and problems such as: (i) the inherent tradeoff in the classical E.O.Q. problem, (ii) robustness of inventory models when demand and leadtime are stochastic; (iii) non intuitiveness of queuing formulas; (iv) hiring, firing and training cost tradeoffs in the personnel area; (v) manpower planning via Markov analysis; (vi) optimal recruiting-selection strategy for minimizing total cost of recruiting, selecting, training, etc. (vii) use of simulated data to demonstrate modeling with regression analysis; (viii) and data for empirical demand and production analysis. This paper describes nine simulations which have been extensively employed by the authors. The purposes, underpinnings, and worked examples of each simulation are discussed. Some of the major benefits to both the student participants and the Instructor are highlighted.

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Published

1982-03-13