Examining the Relationship Between Mental Workload, Learning Outcomes and Acceptance in a Process-Improvement Simulation Game

Christoph Szedlak and Bert Leyendecker

Simulation & Gaming, 2025, vol. 56, issue 3, 261-288

Abstract: This study explores the impact of process optimizations in business simulation games on learning outcomes, mental workload, and the acceptance of process improvements. A business simulation game was executed in two rounds: an initial baseline round and a subsequent round featuring process optimizations. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and NASA TLX were employed to measure performance and perceived mental workload, respectively. Results indicate that process optimizations led to improvements in performance metrics such as lead-time and throughput, and mental workload significantly influenced both short-term learning outcomes and the readiness to implement process optimizations. The study emphasizes the importance of considering mental workload in the design of simulation games to enhance learning outcomes and practical application of improvements. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of more effective business simulation games in vocational education.

Keywords: business simulation game; experiential learning; mental workload; serious games; vocational learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:simgam:v:56:y:2025:i:3:p:261-288

DOI: 10.1177/10468781241313202

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