The Simulation Game ECOMAN as a Powerful Learning Tool

The business game ECOMAN has been organized since 1996 by the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven Campus Brussels. The game is an example of an interactive and skills-focused approach. To lead a company, many decisions have to be taken according to the mission statement and strategic objectives. The intention is that the management team runs the company for a number of financial years (game rounds). For this, they need to make decisions taking into account disruptive economic and business factors.Every decision has an impact on the overall business situation. Within this context, simulation games are extremely powerful learning tools, allowing the decision maker (player) to formulate and test the results of the different decisions taken as a manager. The game ECOMAN creates an added value for the participants. They clearly have a lot more insight into business economics, as the game teaches them to estimate the effects of various unpredictable factors..The reaction of the individual and the group is thoroughly tested. Moreover they learn to work independently on a project and practice their foreign language and presentation skills.