TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, AND MODELING: THE SPREADSHEET BEER-LIKE GAME
Issues in Information Systems · 2006
This paper addresses a new teaching tool that reproduces aspects of the famous MIT beer game using spreadsheet modeling.In the traditional beer game, students learn that incomplete information leads to suboptimal decisions.In addition to this outcome, the spreadsheet beer-like game (SBG) addresses unplanned supply chain disruptions, and students learn about building decision support systems.The SBG only requires MS-Excel, possesses optimization capability, and uses open code to facilitate modification.A brief student survey demonstrates the potential benefits of the SBG.Sample applications are provided using optimization and how to design to minimize the disruptive impact of unplanned events such hurricanes or acts of terrorism.