Strategy Theory Matters: The Effect of Strategy Coursework Before or During Simulation Play on Student Team Performance

Many instructors include simulations in their strategy courses. This study examines the timing of strategy theory coursework in comparison to simulation play, an unexplored research area. Is student team performance better in the simulation when strategy theory coursework is fully completed before starting simulation play (TB4), or is it better to teach strategy theory while student teams play the simulation (TWP)? Results show that student team performance is significantly better when strategy theory is fully completed before simulation play. Post-hoc analysis suggests that the TWP teams spend longer in the startup phase of the simulation, are significantly behind TB4 student teams by the simulation midpoint, and never catch up in terms of team performance.TB4 teams appear to have an enhanced simulation experience, moving through startup, transition, and performance growth phases. Instructors who need to choose a timing option should consider completing strategy theory coursework before introducing simulation play.