Spring 2007: Business 294
Business Simulation
Last modified November 28, 2006

Key dates:

We are currently soliciting participants for the 2007 team. Bus 294 meets from Dec. 16, 2006 - April 14, 2007. Please see these key dates:

• Thu, Nov. 30, 4:30-6:00 pm.: mandatory orientation meeting in BBC 103
• Fri, Dec. 8: Deadline for interested students to contact the instructor (via e-mail) to confirm interest and eligibility
• Sat, Dec. 16, 9:00 am-3:00 pm: First class session in BBC 003
• Mon/Thu or Tue/Thu, Jan. 8-Jan. 23, 6:00-9:00 p.m: Practice simulation classes

Read the information about the course policies, particularly the time commitment

Overview

This graduate course provides an integrated and intensive approach to understanding how to run a company, using a business simulation of a hypothetical manufacturing company operating in two countries. One or more student teams compete against teams from around the country in the annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition, in hopes of achieving the best financial performance. SJSU has amassed an impressive record of winning teams since first joining this competition in 1982.

Past students have described the course as the “single most rewarding experience in my entire college career”. The course provides hands-on experience equivalent to actually running a corporation, and allows each student to bring together functional academic concepts resulting in integrated, applied management.

However, almost all the results from this course come from building a strong, closely knit team of four to six students. The ideal team will have a balance of strong quantitative and communication skills. Every student will need both strong competitive instincts, and the ability to work closely together. Thus, essential prerequisites to success include both individual collaborative skills, as well as the bonds built between the team members during (or before) the course. These collaboration skills will be tested during a 12-hour day on the final, intensive portion of the competition.

Course Policies

See the class schedule for meetings and activities from November 2006-April 14, 2007. After the mandatory orientation meeting, there are a series of meetings in January, weekly meetings (day TBD) through February and March, culminating with a 4-day trip to San Diego (April 12-14) to participate in the conclusion of the simulation competition.

Time Commitment

This course meets outside the regular course schedule. It requires an intense time commitment over a period of four months:

• December 16, 2006 (Saturday): all day class to qualify potential team members
• January 2007: twice-weekly meetings to do practice simulation and form teams
• February-March: as decisions are due each week, have weekly meetings with teammates. At times, there is extreme time pressure to complete written reports
• April 12-14: trip to San Diego for intensive simulation phase

Please contact the instructor if you have questions about the commitment required or any potential schedule conflicts.

Registration Details

The registration information is as follows:

• Bus 294: on-campus 9 (or off-campus) MBA class. This is 3 units of unrestricted elective. Students should have
  • completed Bus 230 (Marketing Management) and Bus 270 (Financial Management) by December 2006
  • a graduate GPA of 3.50

A limited number of undergraduates may be added to the course to compete in the ICBSC undergraduate division; the course also substitutes for the required Bus 189 strategic management course. The requirement is to make sure that the team has academically qualified representatives for each of the major functional areas, particularly finance, accounting, marketing and operations (or quantitative decision theory).

We have funding for two graduate teams (and possibly one undergraduate team) in 2007. In all cases, preferences will be given to students who (realistically) are graduating in 2007, since other students can participate in Spring 2008.

Adding the course is by instructor permission only. To add the course, you need to

• Date Nov. 30: attend the orientation meeting, meet with potential teammates
• Indicate to Prof. West your decision to add the class and obtain an add code
• Sat., Dec. 16: attend the initial class session
• Xmas vacation: purchase the Business Policy Game Player’s Manual at Spartan Copy
• January: attend biweekly class meetings for instruction and practice simulations, in preparation for the actual competition.

Textbook

The Business Policy Game: Player's Manual,5th edition. Available via online download to registered students. Supplemental materials will also be provided by the instructor.

Grading

The main focus of the course is preparing (and monitoring) student participation in the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition.

• Most of your time is making quarterly spending and investment decisions for your hypothetical company. Your decisions are entered into a computer program, which then calculates sales, inventory and financial performance. The computer also calculates (and reports) the results for the four or five competing teams from other schools that are participating in your “world.”
• Teams are also assessed on a written business plan, annual reports and through a final oral presentation before a panel of judges.

The grade will be primarily (90%) determined by the team performance, as weighted by your teammates’ evaluation of your relative contribution, as well as the instructors’ evaluation of your team’s performance and your contribution. Two additional individual assignments (worth 10%) will determine the remainder of your grade.

Instructor (Team Advisor)

Prospective students need to speak with the instructor prior to receiving an enrollment code, both to answer any questions they may have and confirm that they are prepared for the intensive nature of the class.

Joel West, Ph.D.
BT 555, College of Business, San José State University, San José, CA 95192-0070
E-mail (preferred): west_j@cob.sjsu.edu
Phone: (408) 924-7069; Org & Mgmt Dept. phone: (408) 924-3550

For more about the instructor, read a brief biography.