Games and simulations in this section help to enrich a classroom experience.
In this exercise (in PDF) the participants role-play American business persons who journey to Sharahad looking for distributors. Even though both Americans and Sharahadans want to do business with each other, there are some substantial barriers present based on their cultural behaviors and communication barriers. The author, Phil Darg, has generously agreed to globalEDGE making this exercise available for download at no charge (for educational purposes only).
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 23, 2012
This exercise (in PDF) simulates a business meeting of Americans who have traveled to the fictional country of Mintana. The intercultural exercise allows participants to experience and adjust to different cultural communication patterns and to recognize some of the intercultural barriers in today's global business environment. The author, Phil Darg, has generously agreed to globalEDGE making this exercise available for download at no charge (for educational purposes only).
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: April 2, 2013
This exercise (in PDF) simulates a meeting of American botanists who travel to the fictional country of Maranã. The Americans, ignorant of the host culture, must communicate with the Amberanans in an acceptable manner to succeed in their quest. An intercultural exercise that explores verbal and non-verbal differences, as well as cultural values. The author, Phil Darg, has generously agreed to globalEDGE making this exercise available for download at no charge (for educational purposes only).
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 8, 2012
Academy of Management Interactive Teaching Tools and Methods
The Academy of Management provides interactive teaching tools and methods for those interested in the field of international management. The site contains exercises for teaching and learning in different countries including India, Thailand, and Germany as well as other regions. Other exercises and case studies pertaining to management on a global scale are also provided.
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: August 29, 2012
An American toy company is considering expanding to a Mexican Maquiladora. Three company executives travel to Tijuana, Mexico to investigate the possibility of outsourcing some or all the manufacturing to a maquiladora.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
BaFa 'BaFa' is an intercultural simulator created to educate participants on the effects that culture plays in every person's life. It is especially useful to prepare participants for living and/or working in another culture or to learn how to work with people from different backgrounds. It requires a minimum of 12 players.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Using a simple card game, Baranga aims to communicate that despite many similarities, people of differing cultures perceive things differently or play by different rules.
For instructions to a DIY version, visit the Barnga page hosted by Acadia University.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Bridging Cultures is an interactive computer-based assessment program designed to help global professionals understand how they might interact in another country's culture. It helps participants learn how cultural differences impact doing business and how personal characteristics frequently influence their behavior in cross-cultural situations.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Brief Encounters is a role-playing game that helps players develop an understanding of how culture impacts behavior and perception of others. This game will help players learn how to describe and recognize cultural differences through behavior, how culture influences the way we view the behavior of others, and how to communicate with others despite cultural norms.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Carpenter Strategy Toolbox - Global Alliance Game
Carpenter Strategy Toolbox lists instructions for the Global Alliance Game which teaches the importance of international trade and relations between countries. Complete step-by-step instructions for the simulation is provided as well as a downloadable file for all the materials required by the Global Alliance Game. Information on how to debrief the simulation is also given on the site.
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: August 29, 2012
Global Challenge is an online business simulation game where teams representing mobile telecommunication companies compete by making international business strategy decisions in different areas of international business management. Free registration is required for first time users.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Corporation: A Global Business Simulation
An interactive computer based exercise marketed to practicing managers and college students. It includes decision making and feedback at the strategic management level and involves the takeover and continuing operation of a multi-divisional, multinational corporation.
Tags: Management, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Country Manager is designed for students taking courses in international marketing or business. The simulation is based on deciding the best way to enter the Latin American market with a toothpaste brand management team. Participants must decide which country to enter, which channels to motivate, how to communicate best with the customer, and which SKUs to offer. After building operations in one country, expansion into additional countries is the next step.
Tags: International Business, Marketing
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
A dynamic, situation-and values-based series of training tools, Cultural Detective encourages participants to develop intercultural competence in themselves and their organizations. Cultural Detective participants identify and explore a culture using key values as "clues" to solve cross-cultural "incidents" or mysteries and develop practical strategies for enhancing intercultural collaboration. Around sixty culture-specific and topic-specific versions are available in the online store.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Diversophy is a set of intercultural training games, designed for teams of 3 to 8 people playing simultaneously. Players are tested on cultural facts and appropriate behavioral choices, share their own background and experiences with diversity or intercultural challenges, get advice about the culture they are exploring, and explore the risks of living or working in a new environment or with people different from themselves. Diversophy is now also available in a mobile phone version.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
A small Macromedia Flash animation that goes through eleven questions on dining etiquette in different countries. A short but fun animation that can be used to introduce students to the topic of cultural differences. Requires Shockwave Player to run.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
The Ethics Game is a suite of online simulations that can be incorporated to a wide range of business classes. Three of the "Hot Topics" simulations feature an international focus including an exercise on the Foreign Corrupt Business Practices Act. The simulations stress the importance of team-building and help users make ethical choices in a globally complex world. Free demos can be scheduled, however all simulations require purchase after the demo expires.
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: November 16, 2012
A training book containing numerous exercises, dialogues, stories and simulations that put Geert Hofstede's five dimensions of culture into action. Authored by Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen, and Geert Hofstede.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Export-Import Management System Online
Export-Import Management System Online is a management planning tool designed to help develop a company’s import or export strategy and operational procedures. EIMSO consists of two dynamic software programs: Export Management System Online (EMSO) and Import Management System Online (IMSO), each of which consists of four modules covering various topics related to Export and Import management.
Tags: International Business, Marketing
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
FORAD is a computer-based learning experience designed to help corporate executives and bankers better understand what it takes to manage the financial position of a multinational industrial corporation. It is based on the issues and challenges which confront such a company operating in today's international markets.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Foreign Investment Negotiation Simulation
Foreign Investment Negotiation Simulation (FINS) tries to simulate the foreign investment process to improve understanding of interaction among the strategies of multinational firms, local companies, and host country governments. Negotiation and contract making is the focus of the exercise. The final report must be purchased.
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
A role-play simulation designed to teach cross-cultural negotiation strategies. Frost is one of the world's largest electronic recycling firms, and is planning to enter France through a joint venture with a French company. The case covers the negotiations phase. The simulation is available in English and French.
Tags: Management, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
GEO: Reductionism in an International Entrepreneurship Game 
Centered around the question of why nations trade when their products and environments are identical, participants in this game discover the answer through founding, managing, and setting policies for firms within the context of the game's simulated global economy. Participants are randomly and evenly distributed across six nations with differing trade policies, where they are required to work until being granted migration capabilities in period 48. This game was developed by Precha Thavikulwat, Ph.D., who is a professor of management at Towson University, the business and management editor of Simulation & Gaming: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Theory, Practice, and Research, and a past president and fellow of the Association for Business Simulation and Experiential Learning. Registration required to access game.
Tags: Resource Desk
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: April 26, 2013
Global Market Potential System Online
GMPSO is a research and strategic planning marketing/management tool designed to help students bridge the gap between theory and the real world of business. GMPSO, consisting of two dynamic modules, will enable users to systematically conduct a company situation analysis in a global context, and identify countries with high market potential for the specific products/services.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
Global Marketing Management System Online
GMMSO is a research and strategic planning marketing/management tool designed to help students to bridge the gap between theory and the real world of business. GMMSO, consisting of four dynamic modules, will enable students to become a manager and decision maker in a real world global setting.
Tags: International Business, Marketing
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
A generic, one-day strategy simulation involving developing a world wide presence and product offering. Participants launch a new product in direct competition with several other teams and set up a factory to produce it. Liquidity will force them to decide between new product development, expanding capacity or build their world coverage. The "Downloads" section of the website also features a participant briefing document with additional information.
Tags: Operations and Supply Chain Management, Management, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 13, 2012
Global View Advanced Business Simulation
Global View provides a team-based business simulation where participants compete with other students around the world. They build a company from the ground up, making decisions on all aspects of business while negotiating via e-mail, chat rooms, and posting boards to buy and sell products. There are some international components to the simulation as well, although it is primarily designed for a capstone business course.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: April 2, 2013
Globalization and Nigerian Oil
The simulation explores the effects of globalization through the case of Nigeria. Participants take on the role of one of the parties involved in the political economy of the Niger River delta region of Nigeria -- either the government, an NGO, an MNC, or an ethnic group within Nigeria -- and participate in negotiations about the future shape of the petroleum industry. Part of a series of simulations by University of Maryland based ICONS Project.
Tags: Economics, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
GLO-BUS is an online exercise where teams of students run a digital camera company in head-to-head competition against companies run by other class members. Companies compete in a global market arena, selling digital cameras in four geographic regions. Students must make decisions relating to all aspects of operations including R&D, product line selections, production, outsourcing, pricing, marketing, and finance.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
The simulation takes the participants through the various phases of the international marketing process such as direct exports, contractual entry (licensing) and foreign production and investment (joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries). Several international marketing issues are covered: global segmentation, product adaptation and standardization, marketing standardization issues, international product life cycles, entry strategies, foreign production and R&D location decisions.
Tags: Marketing, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
International Operations Simulation (INTOPIA)
Intopia focuses on IB strategy, and the consequent challenges to integrate functional, regional/cultural, and product areas of the MNC. Key features include negotiation and networking, in- and outsourcing, the value chain, logistical and currency issues. The setting is hi-tech products (chips and PC) in both the consumer and industrial markets of Brazil, EU, and the US. Special features include entrepreneurship and global events scenarios. The game can be customized through flexible parameters.
Tags: International Business, Entrepreneurship, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Participants take over an overseas subsidiary currently selling imported products. They have to decide whether to expand this range and set up local manufacturing for a parallel range of products. Additionally, they must decide how and when to replace expatriate management with locals. Optionally, the simulation can involve currency management.
Tags: Marketing, Management, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Jeneryn in India creates a complex international negotiation scenario. Participants play the roles of executives of a U.S. medical transcription company contemplating growth through offshore outsourcing. Other participants play executives of an Indian company in Chennai interested in acquiring American business. All participants must act within company, country, and cultural constraints while working toward specific business objectives.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
This site contains two simulations designed for students learning about global marketing and supply chain management. These simulations are designed for undergrad and MBA students. Competitors are aligned based on educational level.
Tags: Marketing, International Business, Logistics
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Marketplace is designed as a learning tool that allows participants to build an entrepreneurial firm and compete with others in a virtual business world. Players are forced to use business fundamentals and interplay various facets of business. The simulation has a variety of levels of difficulty incorporating various areas of decision-making.
Tags: International Business, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
In this cross-cultural negotiation simulation, a fictional insurance company is looking to expand into China. Three top officers will need to go to Shanghai to begin a negotiation process with the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 9, 2012
A foreign language simulation where participants experience speaking a language non-fluently: how it affects one's ability to stay focused and connected with the listener, and one's feelings of competence and confidence.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Representative Templates and Methodology for Stodder's Comparative Advantage Experiments
An experiment designed to introduce students to the ramifications of comparative advantage theory. Students are paired up to take on the roles of two countries that must make production and consumption choices under a situation of autarky and then under a situation involving the possibility of trade.
Tags: Economics, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
The Business Policy Game is a total enterprise simulation and targets an audience looking for a dynamic process to integrate the business disciplines and provide experience in strategy development. The software also provides the competitive environment for the annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
The Business Strategy Game is a web-based simulation in the athletic footwear industry, and each company is managed by a team of players competing against other companies. The simulation tries to mirror the real athletic footwear industry to a large extent, and requires the players to make decisions on all operational aspects of business, including sales, marketing, finance, web sales, warehousing, and distribution. Companies can sell their products in four regional markets.
Tags: Management, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Global Business Game is a web-based simulation that is focused on international business and strategic management. It is designed primarily to complement undergraduate and graduate classes in those areas. Participants manage a company that is present in either the NAFTA or APEC markets, allowing them to experience the various aspects and challenges of globalization. Instructors will also be able to customize options within the simulation to meet the needs of their courses.
Tags: Business (General), International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
The Global Economics Game is an educational software game that simulates economic activity in a global setting. Each player is in charge of their nation's economic policy. The object of the game is to promote balanced economic growth without excessive pollution, while maintaining full employment without too much inflation. Fiscal, trade, and monetary policies are used to avoid undesirable situations such as depression, stagflation, and hyperinflation.
Tags: Economics
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Trade Balance and Exchange Rate Simulation
A simple, web-based exercise that explains how a change in exchange rate influences the trade balance. Information and practice questions to help with the trade balance concept are supplied.
Tags: Economics, International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Trading Game: A Simulation Game
This simulation is designed help players understand the impact of unequal resource distribution on trade. Includes directions, needed materials, and reflection questions to help discuss the results of the game.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Voyage Beijing is a digital game using engagement, motivation and interactivity to teach crucial information about business travel to China. Simulating a first business trip to Beijing, the mission of the game is to arrange a business deal with a potential Chinese partner. You build or loose impression points by making choices in the interactions you have with the Chinese hosts. You can also earn knowledge points by exploring the game world, which is based on Beijing.
Tags: International Business
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
Where Have You Been?: An Exercise to Assess Your Exposure to the Rest of the World's People
This team-building and familiarization activity can be used in the initial class or session of an international management program. It assesses one's exposure to the rest of the world's peoples. A series of worksheets require the respondents to check off the number and names of countries they have visited and the corresponding percentage of world population which each country represents. By summing a classes' collective exposure to the world's people, the result will inevitably be the recognition that together they have seen much, even if individually some have seen little.
Tags: International Business, Management
Last reviewed by globalEDGE on: February 14, 2012
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