Problem-Based Learning becomes active for Business and Economics students when they use Case Simulations. Watch this video to learn more.
Teaching competition is hard. Textbooks struggle to go beyond monopoly, oligopoly, and perfect competition. But how can students learn about competition in the real-world?
Students don’t want to learn theory. They want to learn analysis. Class discussions are abstract and detached. What students lack is active problem-based learning.
Case Simulations to the rescue! Case Simulations combine Case Studies with Market Simulation. Student hypotheses are challenged by realistic models. And analysis is applied using concepts from the market: customers, products, brands, and rivals.
These Case Simulations were developed for instructors, with everything needed for a class:
- Case Study
- Discussion Questions
- Market Simulation
- Simulation Questions
- Advanced Exercises
- Post-Script
Teaching Case Simulations
Case Simulations can supplement lectures, textbooks, assignments, and class discussions. Click here to learn more.
Case Simulations
Burger Wars 2002
Everybody blamed McDonald’s for starting the price war. In 2002 a price war broke out between McDonald’s, Burger King, and other USA fast-food hamburger restaurants. This Case Simulation explores those market dynamics. With discussion questions and simulation exercises, students can analyze what really happened.
Springsteen on Broadway
Springsteen on Broadway ran from October 2017 to December 2018 in an intimate, 960-seat, theater on Broadway. This Case Simulation provides both a case study of the concert and a software simulated model of the market for tickets. Students are asked to analyze the market and optimize prices in the model.
Courtyard by Marriott
Small Marriott hotels seemed to be the answer. In the early 1980’s Marriott Corporation used a statistical survey to design a new chain of hotels. The result was the Courtyard by Marriott. This Case Simulation provides a case study of Marriott’s research, and a software simulated model of the hotel market. Students use the model to design Marriott’s new chain of hotels.
Foodie’s
Economies of scale are in short supply at Foodie’s, yet it successfully competes against much larger, nearby rivals. Stocking limited shelf space with a smart product assortment is essential. This Case Simulation provides a case study of grocery stores, and a simulated model of Foodie’s market dynamics. Students are asked to optimize the product assortments presented in the model.
