Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Student is able to
- gain competence on how strategic business decisions affect the success of the company operating in global markets
- operate in a highly competitive business and understands cause-effect learning through decisions
- work in a virtual and international team as a company management team
-analyze external data: customers, markets, competitors, business environment trends
-analyze internal data: production, warehouse, R&D, marketing, logistics, finance
-form the strategy and implement it through operative decisions

Implementation and methods of teaching

This course is run as an intensive week 12-16 February 2024. Additionally, there are two online sessions prior to the intensive week. The course includes team work during the intensive week and individual assignments prior to and after the intensive week. The implementation is based on a business simulation game (Cesim).

Timing and attendance

This course is linked to an international intensive week, which takes place on Lahti campus 12-16 February 2024. Students attending the course are required to participate in this event the whole week from Monday to Friday! Additionally, there are two online sessions: Fri 26 Jan at 9:00-12:00 and Fri 2 Feb at 9:00-12:00.

Learning material and recommended literature

The course material can be found on the course Moodle site.

Alternative completion methods

The same course is implemented as an online course during the autumn semester. No other alternative completion methods.

Working life cooperation

During the intensive week there will be a guest lecture from a business representative and/or a company visit.

Exam retakes

No exam.

Learning environment

Moodle, Cesim business simulation.

Student time use and work load

Most of the work is done during the intensive week and the online sessions. Additionally students need to be prepared for individual assignments a few weeks prior to and after the intensive week.

Contents

Students are assigned to work in teams. Each team will run their own virtual business through a business simulation game that reflects real world business challenges and results. The game covers areas such as marketing, logistics, production, finance, and sustainability. The teams compete against each other just like in real business environment. The aim is to practice business, decision-making and problem-solving skills, whilst also getting invaluable experience in working in an international team. Learning is supported by brief lectures and guidance from academic and business representatives.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

It is recommended that student has completed most of the core competence courses or otherwise gained basic knowledge on business management (marketing, accounting, logistics, etc.)

Assessment criteria

Requirements / evaluation:
1) Individual assignment prior to the intensive week (grading: pass/fail)
2) Participation in the online sessions prior to the intensive week (grading: pass/fail)
3) Participation in the intensive week including the business simulation game and a final presentation as a team work (grading: pass/fail)
4) Individual assignment after the intensive week: a reflective report on the learning outcomes of the business simulation game and the intensive week (grading: 1-5)

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

Student does not achieve the learning objectives.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student has completed all the required elements and through the individual report shows to have achieved the learning objectives on a satisfactory level.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student has completed all the required elements and through the individual report shows to have achieved the learning objectives on a good level.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student has completed all the required elements and through the individual report shows to have achieved the learning objectives on an excellent level.

Learning outcomes

Student is able to
- gain competence on how strategic business decisions affect the success of the company operating in global markets
- operate in a highly competitive business and understands cause-effect learning through decisions
- work in a virtual and international team as a company management team
-analyze external data: customers, markets, competitors, business environment trends
-analyze internal data: production, warehouse, R&D, marketing, logistics, finance
-form the strategy and implement it through operative decisions

Implementation and methods of teaching

The students can utilize their studies on various business areas in running an international company via a strategy & business management simulation (Cesim Global Challenge). The target of the course is that the students gain comprehensive understanding on how strategic business decisions in areas like marketing, pricing, investments etc. affect the success of the company operating in global markets.

Introduction to the course via practice rounds and result analysis. Virtually played decision-making rounds in student teams. Final seminar with results and analysis. The course materials can be found on Moodle, and the course lectures and coaching are done via Zoom.

Timing and attendance

All the participating students must be present at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out. The final seminar of the course is also mandatory to attend or has to be done in addition to the substitute writing assignment.

Learning material and recommended literature

Based on the used business simulation (Cesim) software system, to be delivered in the beginning of the course. The course materials can be found in the Moodle.

Learning environment

Introduction lectures, virtually played business simulation rounds, investor deck / pitching session, report presentations, final seminar via Zoom sessions.

All the participating students have to be present at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out.

Contents

Introduction lectures, virtually played business simulation rounds (decision-making rounds in student teams), investor deck / pitching session, report presentations, final seminar via Zoom sessions.

All the participating students have to be present (online and via Zoom) at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out.

Assessment criteria

Team assignments and active participation in the decision-making process in every round, presence required in the introductory lectures in the beginning of the course as well as in the pitching session, final round's lectures and in the final seminar. Grading is based both on the success in the game and the analysis made via the final report.

Assessment scale

1-5

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions only superficially or one of the dimensions is missing. The success in game is bad, and the reasons for failure are not analyzed.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions analytically. The success in game is average, and the reasons for the company performance are described.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions in detail logically and analytically. The success in game is very good, and the reasons for success are analyzed and described informatively.