ABSTRACT
The study conducted as part of a research project at Linköping University indicates that simulation games are useful tools for industrial training, and may probably be more effective for many purposes than other methods, particularly in complex areas such as production management. However, this research strongly indicates that the best results are achieved when simulation games are used in conjunction with other, traditional learning methods.
One of the contributions of this research project consists of the development and evaluation of a training method which helps participants to better understand their own problems at the company with the help of computer-based simulation games. The training method, SSIT – Simulation Supported Industrial Training – has the following main characteristics which make it unique:
The simulation games are tailor-made to the participants’ specific problems.
The training is carried out directly at the work place.
The training is based on the execution of a number of simulation games which successively illustrate the problems of the company.
The training method combines the work on the simulation games with other traditional types of learning techniques such as theoretical instruction and group discussions.
The training promotes not only the participants’ individual learning, but also the organizational learning process.
This chapter presents the main ideas which have been used in the creation of the SSIT method and describes its main characteristics (for more detailed information see Villegas, 1996).
