Introduction to Labams Simulations

Company simulators, are computerised pre-designed time-dynamic scenarios used to develop decision-making abilities through the observation of decision outcomes. Learning arises as participants compete and observe the consequences of their decisions. Participants become "virtual managers" during a short but intense period of time, as computerised simulations compress time and save real resources.

Labams ten simulations built on different scenarios are computerised in order to adequately represent complex real conditions and accelerate the acquisition of experience in decision-making in a multiple way. Two kinds of simulated scenarios have been designed: generalist scenarios, where participants face a wide range of intertwoven decision issues, a horizontal dimension, and specialised scenarios, built vertically, where participants concentrate on the decision-making issues of just one specialised function, and where the influence and real intervention of other functional areas has been deliberately reduced, albeit credibly and reflecting real and current business conditions. For instance in one simulation, the marketing function has been minimized so that the purchase and efficient allocation of capital is highlighted, as with companies producing commodities and raw materials. In another simulation, in contrast, the marketing function is supreme, organized as a profit centre, where the purchase and allocation of capital is the responsibility of a different profit centre,as in the case of consumer goods companies, both durable and non-durable. Yet another simulation portrays the huge services sector, hotels and hospitals, where the "production" function literally does not exist and business strategies have a peculiar mixture of collaboration and competition.

See General Presentation here.