Integrating Across Functional Areas with a Computer-Assisted Case

Abstract

"The last decade has seen many universities striving to achieve three major goals in their undergraduate business programs: 1. the introduction of management science/operations research techniques which the students can apply to various decision settings; 2. the utilization of the computer as a significant tool in the decision- making process; and 3. the integration of various functional areas within the business school curriculum. Indiana University--Bloomington has made progress in achieving these goals through their integrative core program. In 1972, this program was enhanced by an Interesting teaching innovation--a computerassisted, integrative case-The Gulfways Equipment Company, Inc. In this case exercise, students must develop a one year operating plan for this firm troubled by financial difficulty. A description of the experience and the results of this experiment are the subject matter of this paper. "