Developing future managers through business simulation gaming in the UK and Hong Kong: exploring the interplay between cognitive realism, decision-making and performance

Abstract

Purpose– This paper investigates how individuals’ decision-making approach and perceptions of a game’s cognitive realism affect the performance of virtual businesses in a web-based simulation game. Design/methodology/approach–Surveydataarecollectedfrom274businesssimulationgameusersandis analysed using the fsQCA technique. Findings– The study identifies three alternative pathways to high and low performance in a business simulation game. Results indicate that a flexible decision-making approach exists in all high performance pathway solutions. Where a game is perceived to be realistic, a more focused decision-making approach is associated with high performance. However, where perceived cognitive realism is absent, a less focused experimental decision-making approachis employed, whichincreasesthechancestoachievelow performance. Finally, perceived cognitive realism and an experimental decision-making approach are found to be mutually exclusive for achieving high performance. Originality/value– Whilst the learning benefits of web-based simulation games are widely acknowledged, the complex interplay amongst factors affecting performance in games is under-researched. Limited research exists onhowperceptionsofagame’scognitiverealisminteractwithuserdecision-makingapproachestoaffect performance.