Application of Spreadsheet-Based Business Games as Management Simulators

The scarcity of comprehensive alternatives to management simulators with financial reporting hampers the effective use of business games in classrooms. This paper introduces the Supply Chain Competition Game, an offline management simulator that generates comprehensive business results across a wide range of parameters. This game is made freely accessible to decision-makers, educators, and independent learners, and can be used both offline and online. The objective is to create a serious game in open access with a broader set of variables compared to traditional management simulators. The design of the simulators involves modifying the well-known beer game to include marketing, personnel, accounting, and supply chain competition. Using an electronic spreadsheet format enables flexibility with easy modification of the simulator without requiring programming skills, providing adaptability to diverse educational needs. Classroom results for students demonstrate the financial impact of chosen business strategies on key performance indicators, incorporating a comprehensive set of variables and offering insights into supply chain management from economic, social, and environmental sustainability perspectives. The game is suitable for teaching logistics in international business and contributes to making management simulators more affordable. This study outlines an experience developing and implementing spreadsheet-based business games in higher education courses to overcome limitations in existing simulators.