Business simulation games are considered as effective tools for the empowerment and mediation of business content learning. They act as serious games which contribute to learning through a simulation of real-life situations and busi-ness environments. They are especially useful in the area of business management processes and business strategies. The blending of designed simulation technology and content curricula offers participants (players, students) a risk-free opportunity to test out a range of relevant strategies to drive business results. By customizing computer-based business simulations, participants can integrate key strategic and financial priorities. This paper provides a brief review of busi-ness simulations that serve learning purposes. The first part presents a short introduction and description of business games and their evaluation properties, and the second part provides a brief evaluation and analysis of selected business simulation games.
R. Michael David and S. L. Chen, “Serious Games in Defence Education: A Report into the Potential Educational Benefits of Education,” Education Journal, Vol. 61, No. 3, 2005, pp. 1-95.
J. Huizinga, “Nature and Significance of Play as a Cultural Phenomenon,” The MIT Press, Cambridge/London, pp. 96-120.
R. Caillois, “Man, Play, and Games,” Schocken Books, New York, 1961. doi:10.1177/101269027701200206
C. K. H. J. Riedel and J. B. Hauge, “State of the Art of Serious Games for Business and Industry,” 17th International Conference on Concurrent Enterprising (ICE), Aachen, 20-22 June 2011, pp. 1-8.
J. Aleckson, “Managing E-Learning,” 2009. http://managingelearning.com/2009/01/19/definitions-serious-games-game-based-learning
M. Pivec, “Editorial: Play and Learn: Potentials of Game-Based Learning,” British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2007, pp. 387-393.
M. Prensky, “Digital Game-Based Learning,” Paragon House Publishers, Saint Paul, 2001.
J. Herrington, R. Oliver and T. C. Reevers, “Patterns of Engagement in Authentic Online Learning Environments,” Australian Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2007, pp. 59-71. http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet19/herrington.html
M. G. Farkas, “Social Software in Libraries: Building Collaboration, Communication, and Community Online,” Information Today, New Yersey, 2007.
K. Royle, “Computer Games and Realising Their Learning Potential,” 2011. http://www.gamebasedlearning.org.uk/content/view/67/60/1/1
A. Armory, “Game Object Model Version II: A Theoretical Framework for Educational Game Development,” Educational Technology, Research and Development, Vol. 55, No. 1, 2008, pp. 51-77. doi:10.1145/1655925.1656110
M. Prensky, “Learning in the Digital Age,” Educational Leadership, Vol. 63, No. 4, 2006, pp. 8-13
C. N. Quinn, “Enganging Learning: Designing E-Learning Simulation Games,” John Wiley and Sons Inc., San Francisco, 2005.
B. Scholz-Reiter, S. Gavirey, W. Echelmeyer, T. Hamann and R. Doberenz, “Developing a Virtual Tutorial System for Online Simulation Games,” Proceedings of the 30th SEFI Annual Conference, Firenze, 8-11 September 2002.
K. Salen and E. Zimmerman, “Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals,” MIT Press, Cambridge, 2004.
S. De Freitas and M. Oliver, “How Can Exploratory Learning with Games and Simulations within the Curriculum Be Most Effectively Evaluated?” Computers and Education, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2006, pp. 249-264. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2005.11.007
D. Burgos, C. Tattersall and R. Koper, “Re-Purposing Existing Generic Games for E-Learning,” Computers in Human Behaviour, Vol. 23, No. 6, 2007, pp. 2656-2667. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2006.08.002
K. Killi, “Foundation for Problem-Based Gaming,” British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2007, pp. 394-404. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00704.x
S. Bj?rk and J. Holopainen, “Patterns in Game Design,” Charles River Media, Hingham, 2005. doi:10.1073/pnas.0935845100
M. D. Dickey, “Engaging by Design: How Engagement Strategies in Popular Computer and Video Games Can Inform Instructional Design,” Educational Technology, Research and Development, Vol. 53. No. 2, 2005, pp. 67- 83. doi:10.1007/BF02504866
C. A. Steinkühler, “Learning in Massively Multiplayer Online Games,” Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Learning Sciences, Santa Monica, 22-26 June 2004, pp. 521-528.
J. Koumi, “Designing Video and Multimedia for Open and Flexibl eLearning,” Routledge, New York, 2006.
W. Westera, “A Didactic Framework for Audio visual Design,” Journal of Educational Media, Vol. 24, No. 2, 1999, pp. 87-102. doi:10.1080/1358165990240202
P. S. Greenlaw, L. W. Herron and R. H. Rawdon, “Business Simulation in Industrial and University Education,” Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1962.
W. D. Biggs, “Introduction to Computerized Business Management Simulations,” In: J. Gentry, Ed., Guide to Business Gaming and Experiential Learning, Nichols/GP Publishing, East Brunswick, 1990, pp. 23-25.
S. Pillutla, “Creating a Web-Based Simulation Gaming Exercise Using PEARL and Java Script,” Simulation & gaming, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2003, pp. 112-130. doi:10.1177/1046878102250635
M. Wawer, M. Marek, P. Muryjas and R. Magdalena, “Business Simulation Games in Forming Students’ Entrepreneurship,” International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2010, pp. 49-73.
D. Clark, “Games and E-Learning,” Reproduction, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2006, pp. 1-46. http://www.caspianlearning.co.uk/Whtp_caspian_games_1.1.pdf
B. Keys and J. Wolfe, “The Role of Management Games and Simulations in Education and Research,” Journal of Management, Vol. 16, No. 2, 1990, pp. 307-336. doi:10.1177/014920639001600205.