A mixed method approach to evaluate web 2.0 applications in business games

Abstract

Business games are useful tools for analyzing communication, processes and correlations in business contexts. They help to reduce the complexity of the problems faced by real companies to substantial parts. In addition to informal learning, they also help to stimulate explicit and implicit knowledge. Thus, business games increase the motivation to learn and improve knowledge acquisition. There are only a few findings linking general conditions to high-quality results of business games. Based on a business game, this paper presents an approach that uses a mixed method evaluation design to examine a Web 2.0 application in a production setting; psychological elements in the game; and the competence development of the participants. Overall, 194 participants responded to questionnaires and 60 interviews that measured the participants’ learning effects and game experiences. The most important results which need to be referred for implementation in business games are identified as flow, motivation, realism and learning.