This study evaluates the effect of structured debriefing for a business simulation game for university students. The program provides an authentic learning experience of real-world business management by allowing learners to make decisions related to ...
This study evaluates the effect of structured debriefing for a business simulation game for university students. The program provides an authentic learning experience of real-world business management by allowing learners to make decisions related to R&D, marketing, production, and finance through a business simulation game, and check the results in real time. In 2022, University A and B each ran a business simulation game-based program as an extra-curricular activity. University A conducted a traditional instructor-led debriefing where the instructor explained the summarized process and results, while University B implemented a structured debriefing which had been developed based on Gibbs' and 3D models. To assess the effect of the structured debriefing compared to the traditional instructor-led debriefing, business knowledge and entrepreneurship competencies were measured three times. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for the differences between the two groups and to examine interaction effects between group and time. The structured debriefing group achieved statistically significantly higher academic scores than the traditional instructor-led debriefing group at the post-test and in 2 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of entrepreneurship competencies. There was no interaction effect between group and time, both in academic achievement and in entrepreneurship competencies. In conclusion, the simulation game-based program integrated with the structured debriefing session is more likely to have a stronger impact on academic achievement and its retention.