---
title: Business Simulations help achieve learning goals and acquire skills
description: Business Simulation Games can make learning goals more achievable for higher-education students according to researchers of the University of Utrecht.
---

[The Business Simulations Blog | Cesim](https://www.cesim.com/blog)

# [Business Simulations help achieve learning goals and acquire skills](https://www.cesim.com/blog/business-simulations-help-achieve-learning-goals-acquire-skills)

 Written by [Cesim Team](https://www.cesim.com/blog/author/cesim-team) | Wednesday, August 02, 2017

The use of Business Simulation Games can make **learning goals** more achievable for higher-education students according to a [meta-study](http://www.cs.uu.nl/research/techreps/repo/CS-2015/2015-017.pdf) by researchers of the [**University of Utrecht**](https://www.uu.nl/en) (Netherlands). Simulations have become a vital part of academic courses in different business and management fields, the researchers from the Dutch university point out, and after reviewing a series of studies on Business Simulations, they have also identified 3 best practices for their successful use: **specificity** of the game, **integration** in the course, and role of the **instructor**.

**Which learning objectives work best with a Business Simulation**  
The authors describe two different kinds of learning goals, **knowledge** and **skills**, and point out that Business Simulations work best to achieve the latter. In other words, **Simulations help students to put in practice the theory they've learned in the classroom**.

Moreover, the researchers propose that the body of academic studies on Simulations suggests that they are significantly useful to engage students in **deep-learning skills** such as **collaboration**, **critical thinking** and **problem solving**.

 

**Best practices when using Simulation Games**  
The meta-study also describes how Business Simulations are being intensively used by education institutions to "develop a diverse range of **cognitive and communicative skills**" of their students, which include **productive cognitive skills**, **procedural knowledge** and **productive interactive skills**.

The success in achieving these learning goals is based on three factors according to the authors. First and probably the most important of all, the **role of the instructor** is cited by most of the studies reviewed by the researchers as "vital for achieving learning objectives through simulations and games." The effectiveness of Business Simulations decreases without "instructional support \[...\] since players may use their capacity for ineffective activities such as focusing on irrelevant information".

Another key factor for maximizing learning by using Simulations is the **specificity of the game**, i.e., that a Simulation must have **"clearly defined learning objectives**" to make the best out of it, according to the researchers .

Last but not least, **course integration** is another important factor mentioned in the meta-study as necessary to get the most positive effect from using Business Simulation Games. The researchers enumerate "clear guidelines on coursework, realistic complexity, incentives for interaction and face-to-face contact with the course leader" as key elements that must be considered when including Simulation as part of a course.

**Cesim Business Simulation Games** are designed with all these factors in mind, so that students and instructors get the best out of their experience with our products. Click [here](https://www.cesim.com/simulations/compare-business-simulations) to explore our portfolio and find the Business Simulation that fits best your needs.

**Read more:**

- [The Role of The Instructor in Business Simulation Games \[Study\]](https://www.cesim.com/blog/bid/118029/The-Role-of-The-Instructor-in-Business-Simulation-Games-Study)
- [Business Simulation Games Integration with Mike Geringer](https://www.cesim.com/blog/bid/97693/expert-interview-mike-geringer-on-business-simulation-integration-at-california-polytech)
- [4 Ways Business Simulations Can Improve Student Engagement](https://www.cesim.com/blog/bid/187906/4-ways-business-simulations-can-improve-student-engagement)
- [6 Effective Business Simulation Games Teaching Strategies](https://www.cesim.com/blog/6-effective-business-simulation-games-teaching-strategies)
- [6 Reasons Why Students Like Business Simulations](https://www.cesim.com/blog/6-reasons-why-students-like-business-simulations)

[View full post](https://www.cesim.com/blog/business-simulations-help-achieve-learning-goals-acquire-skills)

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