Inventory Simulation - A Time-Sharing Television Output Simulation

Abstract

"Nearly every business school today makes some use of simulation in its curriculum. The typical format is to offer a simulation game as part of another course, such as Introduction to Business or Business Policy, and the students play one game for the entire term. Decisions are usually made during one class period and submitted at the end of the period for umpiring. The decisions are then processed on a batch computer and the results returned to the students the next class period, anywhere from a day to a week later, when another set of decisions is made. This unfortunate time lag between decisions and results is hardly in keeping with the proven learning concept of quick reinforcement, and some years ago we began experimenting with using a time-sharing computer as the vehicle for umpiring simulation games. The enthusiastic support given by the students to the quick feedback approach led to the development of a complete set of time-sharing games that permit offering a full course in management simulation. These games have recently been published by Reston Publishing Company (FRAZER -BUSINESS DECISION SIMULATION - A Time-Sharing Approach) and are thoroughly documented and tested, with a complete and detailed instructor’s manual and program tapes available to adopters. "