ISHS Acta Horticulturae 655: XV International Symposium on Horticultural Economics and Management
HORTGAME, A HORTICULTURAL MANAGEMENT GAME FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| Author: | B. Håkansson |
| Keywords: | Management game, teaching, horticulture, business administration |
| Abstract:
Management games of various types are often used in basic courses in business administration. The purpose of these games is to let the students act as firm managers and make various decisions in a simulated firm environment. Hortgame principally draws upon the game ZEMA which was created in Germany in the late 1970’s. Since then, the technological development has enabled new and more convenient implementations. The current version runs completely over the Internet. The game simulates a local pot plant market. The players have to make decisions based on limited information in a risky environment. They can see the prices they got for their products last year, but not what they will get next year. They are confronted with the problem of crop planning and how to fill the greenhouse areas with profitable crops. A number of economic concepts are part of the game and are learnt by the students while playing. They must learn to understand the balance sheet and profit and loss statement, they decide about investments and financing, they make depreciations on buildings and equipments and they have to consider the most important laws concerning tax planning. | |
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