IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/simgam/v51y2020i4p498-523.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Capelo
  • Ana Lorga Silva

Abstract

Background. Simulation-based learning environments are used extensively to support learning in complex business systems. Nevertheless, studies have identified problems and limitations due to cognitive processing difficulties. In particular, previous research has addressed some aspects of model transparency and instructional strategy and produced inconclusive results. Aim. This study investigates the learning effects of using transparent simulations (that is, showing users the internal structure of models) and exploratory guidance (that is, guiding learners so they are able to explore the simulation by themselves, supported by specific cognitive aids) from a mental models perspective. Method. A test based on a simulation experiment with a system dynamics model , representing a supply chain system , was performed. Participants are required to use the simulator to investigate some issues related to the bullwhip effect and other supply chain coordination concepts. Results. Participants provided with the more transparent strategy and offered the more exploratory guidance demonstrated better understanding of the structure and behaviour of the underlying model. However, our results suggest that while exploratory guidance is a beneficial method for understanding both model structure and behaviour, making only the model transparent is more limited in its effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Capelo & Ana Lorga Silva, 2020. "Optimising the Learning Potential of Simulations Through Structural Transparency and Exploratory Guidance," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 51(4), pages 498-523, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:51:y:2020:i:4:p:498-523
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878120916209
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1046878120916209
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/1046878120916209?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Samuel C. Wood, 2007. "Online Games to Teach Operations," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 8(1), pages 3-9, September.
    2. Hau L. Lee & V. Padmanabhan & Seungjin Whang, 1997. "Information Distortion in a Supply Chain: The Bullwhip Effect," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(4), pages 546-558, April.
    3. Elsawah, Sondoss & McLucas, Alan & Mazanov, Jason, 2017. "An empirical investigation into the learning effects of management flight simulators: A mental models approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 259(1), pages 262-272.
    4. Philip Hallinger & Ray Wang, 2020. "The Evolution of Simulation-Based Learning Across the Disciplines, 1965–2018: A Science Map of the Literature," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 51(1), pages 9-32, February.
    5. Andrea M. Prado & Ronald Arce & Luis E. Lopez & Jaime García & Andy A. Pearson, 2020. "Simulations Versus Case Studies: Effectively Teaching the Premises of Sustainable Development in the Classroom," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 303-327, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Willy C. Kriz, 2020. "Gaming in the Time of COVID-19," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 51(4), pages 403-410, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vien-Thong Nguyen & Philip Hallinger & Parinya Showanasai, 2024. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Leading Change for Sustainability in Schools Simulation: A Research and Development Project," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 55(1), pages 51-81, February.
    2. Ewerhart, Christian & Cassola, Nuno & Valla, Natacha, 2012. "Overbidding in fixed rate tenders: The role of exposure risk," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 539-549.
    3. Baron, Opher & Callen, Jeffrey L. & Segal, Dan, 2023. "Does the bullwhip matter economically? A cross-sectional firm-level analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    4. Elcio Mendonça Tachizawa & Cristina Giménez, 2005. "Drivers and sources of supply flexibility: An exploratory study," Economics Working Papers 889, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    5. Sohn, So Young & Lim, Michael, 2008. "The effect of forecasting and information sharing in SCM for multi-generation products," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 186(1), pages 276-287, April.
    6. Irene Alfarone & Ugo Merlone, 2024. "Should I stay or should I go: A dynamical model of musicians’ agglomeration and migration," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 97-116, February.
    7. Ma, Yungao & Wang, Nengmin & He, Zhengwen & Lu, Jizhou & Liang, Huigang, 2015. "Analysis of the bullwhip effect in two parallel supply chains with interacting price-sensitive demands," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 243(3), pages 815-825.
    8. Nurmilaakso, Juha-Miikka, 2008. "Adoption of e-business functions and migration from EDI-based to XML-based e-business frameworks in supply chain integration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(2), pages 721-733, June.
    9. Rich, Karl M. & Ross, R. Brent & Baker, A. Derek & Negassa, Asfaw, 2011. "Quantifying value chain analysis in the context of livestock systems in developing countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 214-222, April.
    10. Dejonckheere, J. & Disney, S. M. & Lambrecht, M. R. & Towill, D. R., 2002. "Transfer function analysis of forecasting induced bullwhip in supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(2), pages 133-144, July.
    11. Sari, Kazim, 2010. "Exploring the impacts of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology on supply chain performance," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 207(1), pages 174-183, November.
    12. Maureen P. Lojo, 2016. "Improving Undergraduate Student Performance on the Littlefield Simulation," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 16(2), pages 54-59, January.
    13. Zhao, Xiande & Xie, Jinxing & Leung, Janny, 2002. "The impact of forecasting model selection on the value of information sharing in a supply chain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 321-344, October.
    14. Y. Boulaksil & J. C. Fransoo & T. Tan, 2017. "Capacity reservation and utilization for a manufacturer with uncertain capacity and demand," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 39(3), pages 689-709, July.
    15. VASILE Adrian & BALINT Antoniu Ovidiu & COSTEA Carmen, 2013. "An Inquiry Into The Characteristics, Applicability And Prerequisites Of Intelligent Management Solutions In Logistics," Revista Economica, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 65(6), pages 225-236.
    16. Zhiyuan Wang & Zhiqiang (Eric) Zheng & Wei Jiang & Shaojie Tang, 2021. "Blockchain‐Enabled Data Sharing in Supply Chains: Model, Operationalization, and Tutorial," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(7), pages 1965-1985, July.
    17. İsmail Bakal & Nesim Erkip & Refik Güllü, 2011. "Value of supplier’s capacity information in a two-echelon supply chain," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 191(1), pages 115-135, November.
    18. Jaksic, Marko & Rusjan, Borut, 2008. "The effect of replenishment policies on the bullwhip effect: A transfer function approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 184(3), pages 946-961, February.
    19. Mark Nissen, 2000. "Agent‐based supply chain disintermediation versus re‐intermediation: economic and technological perspectives," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(4), pages 237-256, December.
    20. Kevin Zhu & Kenneth L. Kraemer, 2005. "Post-Adoption Variations in Usage and Value of E-Business by Organizations: Cross-Country Evidence from the Retail Industry," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 16(1), pages 61-84, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:51:y:2020:i:4:p:498-523. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.