Abstract:

Implementing of new technologies in higher education has become a need, rather than a value-added addition to the educational offering. In the wake of the health crisis brought about by COVID-19, academics have been impelled to commit to digital technologies and consider educational proposals based on online learning.

In particular, business simulators games are becoming one of the more interesting methodologies, not only for their academic learning, but also for their capabilities for motivating and engaging students.

Online business simulation games (OBSG) are increasingly considered as pedagogical tools for motivating and engaging students actively in the learning experience (Buil et al., 2019; Vos, 2015).

Based on a survey of 96 undergraduate students experienced with OBSG during the period of lockdown, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how business simulation games contribute to the development of management skills and transversal competences. In addition, this study explores the influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, and flow experience on attitude towards the OBGS and on student satisfaction.

Our results show numerous benefits of enriching curricula with OSBG in the achievement of learning objectives and also improvements in students' acquisition of skills and competences. The findings indicate that students’ perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use of OBSG have a positive influence on the perceived usefulness of the OBSG. Perceived ease of use is not significantly related to flow experience. Indeed, results reveal a positive influence of flow experience on attitude towards the OBGS and on student satisfaction. The study ends with some recommendations for improvements in the use of business simulation games.

Keywords:

Business simulation game, managerial skills, learning outcome, flow experience, higher education.