Study Programmes 2015-2016
GEST1039-1  
Business simulation
Duration :
30h Mon. WS
Number of credits :
Master in management (120 ECTS)2
Master in management (60 ECTS)2
Lecturer :
Wilfried Niessen
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
All year long
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Important remark : this course is organized in English for the incoming Erasmus students of the fall term

The simulation game consists of 5 teams of 5 students each. Each team represents a company on a market, and competes with the four others. The students make up the board of the company.
The game lasts 4 days. The first half-day is devoted to presenting the game and briefing all participants. Each team makes 12 decisions, which corresponds to one decision per quarter for 3 years. According to its decisions, and the decisions of competitors, the company receives a quarterly result sheet.
After 3 simulated years of company life, the board has to present their results to their partners (shareholders, bank, works council). In the game, those partners are represented by all participants. The decisions of each team are analysed and synthesized in a final report drawn up by the organizers.
Learning outcomes of the course :
This course aims at helping students (working in teams) :
- discover the interaction between the major functions of a company (production, finance, marketing, human resources);
- learn how to define policies, infer objectives & compare results with objectives;
- train at decision-making.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
FIN 505 Accounting & Finance
SC 529 Logistics and Production
MKTG 552 Marketing
RH 132 Staff Management
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The game is organised in Banneux on four consecutive days from 8.30 to 6. A € 25 fee is to be paid.
Two simulations are prganized :
- from the 20 to the 23 of October 2014;
- from the 16 to the 19 of March 2015.
The repartition between both simulations will be done before the first simulation.
Recommended or required readings :
A leaflet with the rules of the game will be available on-line one week before the game starts.
It should be read carefully .
Assessment methods and criteria :
1st session assessment : continuous assessment of each team's performance; written report and presentation
2nd session assessment : idem
prolonged 2nd session assessment : idem
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
"Enseignement toute l'année" means one simulation by part of the year.
Contacts :
Wilfried Niessen
HEC-Ecole de Gestion de l'ULg (Bât. N1)
Tél.: +32 4 2327264
email : Wilfried.Niessen@ulg.ac.be