Cadotte (1995) suggested that business schools place too much emphasis on theory and not enough on practice as well as too much on separate disciplines at the expense of integrative problem-solving and management.

This business simulation utilizes proprietary software developed by Dr Phil Kelly © 2014

The Core (stage 1) simulation takes 2-5 hrs. and makes use of a simulated clock whereby 30min of real time equals one day in Scaters. This can be set/ adjusted by the tutor. The simulation is suitable for business courses. Of particular benefit to courses with multidisciplinary and cross functional goals.

The software is essentially an enterprise system that supports the Scaters core processes. Developed using MS Access (required on client PCs) the software simulates email and the enterprise system enabling various operational business scenarios to be modelled providing students with a hands-on experience. Tutors may receive automatic progress reports (by email) from student groups operating autonomously. Client PCs must therefore have MS Outlook operating in the background.

The basic student task is: The MD has asked your team to analyse the current business and make recommendations for efficiency improvements that could take immediate or short-term effect. The simulation is suitable for management students of any level, any Programme/ course of any cohort size.

Thus the simulation is a Teaching/ Learning & Assessment method; a Cross Functional, Partially Competitive, Team/Role Based Interactive Scenario Simulation.  Scenarios are played out in a simulated environment and the learner is asked to make individual or team based decisions on how to act in the simulations.

This approach encourages Team work / role play (transferrable skills/ Critical thinking); improve verbal and Interpersonal communication, problem solving and presentation skills; the student gains the opportunity to put management and business theory into practice and opportunity to engage in day-to-day operations. They interact with an enterprise system to gain appreciation of business processes, structure, integrated roles/ functions & responsibilities etc.

The rich experience then provides opportunity for reflection. It supports an International pedagogy and Problem based learning (PBL) / Action learning –(learning by doing). Simulations have higher impact than case studies (richer/ deeper) and it is claimed that such approaches:

Motivate (better class attendance), Encourages independent and collaborative learning, participation and involvement, and Develops higher order-cognitive skills.