Small-Scale Business Games for Assurance of Learning Purposes

Abstract

Recent AACSB literature has suggested and cited the use of business games for Assurance of Learning (AoL) purposes. The study of 182 teams with 836 undergraduates playing a large-scale game found theoretical and practical support of this endorsement. This paper replicates the large-scale game's environment using a small-scale and equally interfaced game to see if similar AoL conclusions can be drawn. The small-scale game experience placed 62 undergraduate students on 22 teams competing in four identical industries. It was able to duplicate the problem solving situation’s need for Variety and Endurance but was equivocal regarding Depth. Further research should be conducted using games that possess other degrees of validity and complexity.