Computer simulation development and implementation for application of retail management concepts

The study was conducted to develop and evaluate a computer simulation for teaching retail management concepts. Specific objectives of the study were to identify the extent simulations are used within the retailing areas, both academic and industrial; to create a computer simulation for application of retail mathematics that meets the criteria resulting from the questionnaires; and to use the simulation in a classroom and test the attitudes of the students regarding the simulation. The study was conducted in three sequential phases. The first phase of the study included a questionnaire designed to identify uses of computer simulations in both the university retail curriculum and retail industry. Responses from twenty-five academics and thirteen corporate retailers from across the United States were analyzed. Results were used as a foundation in developing the simulation program. The second phase a computer simulation aimed for applying retail management concepts was developed. Specific objectives were to develop a simulation that may be used in teams and/or individuals; to increase problem-solving skills and decision-making skills; and to focus on increasing exposure to strategies and financial concerns found in retail management. The third phase included the testing and evaluation of the computer simulation on undergraduate students enrolled in a course aimed at teaching mathematics for retail buyers. The students had a positive attitude towards the developed simulation and an extremely high composite score in retail specific affective and cognitive learning. Implications and concluding recommendations are provided for further research.