USING SIMULATION PROGRAMS AS CAPSTONE PROJECT IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Other than the theoretical knowledge that given the students there is a strong need for gaining knowledge in the real-world business environment especially for the BA students. Simulation programs enable students to set up a virtual company and manage the company like a real business. Although there are many simulation programs in the education field “Marketplace” simulation is chosen because the simulation is prepared by the Tennessee University’s faculty. This course was a Capstone course for students to understand the strategic marketing process that is applicable to any organization about marketing their products or services. The case study methodology was used for this study and 13 senior BA students participated. The feedback received by the students and interviews’ answers were collected and analyzed for the evaluation of the course content, the ease and the usefulness of the program. This study confirmed that simulation programs enable students to transform theoretical knowledge into practices.