It's All in the Game: A 3D Learning Model for Business Ethics

Abstract

How can we improve business ethics education for the 21 st century? This study evaluates the effectiveness of a visual case exercise in the form of a 3D immersive game given to undergraduate students at two UK Universities as part of a mandatory Business Ethics module. We propose that due to evolving learning styles, the immersive nature of interactive games lends itself as a vehicle to make the learning of ethics more 'concrete' and 'personal' and therefore more engaging. To achieve this we designed and built an immersive 3D simulation game 1 in the style of a visual case. The effectiveness of the game was evaluated using a mixed methods approach measuring recognised and adapted constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Results demonstrate that students found the game beneficial to their learning of ethics with the development of knowledge and skills applicable to the real world and that they engaged with the process due to game elements. Findings demonstrate the potential for the development of simulated games to teach ethics at all levels and modes of delivery and the contribution of this type of visual case model as a pedagogic method.

Cultural influences moderating learners’ adoption of serious 3D games for managerial learning

“…The aim of game-based learning is to engage students and enhance their learning experience by introducing an entertainment element to the learning tasks (Jagger,Siala andSloan, 2015, Sung andHwang, 2013). Findings from prior research found that game-based learning stimulates deeper and more practical learning (Bloom, 2009, Mustar, 2009, which eventually improves learners' critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Kapp, 2012, Ke, 2008a) and makes a taught subject more interesting (Bloom, 2009, Tobias,Fletcher andWind, 2014).…”

“…Gender (H3, H4) The game will make ethical decisions easier in the future I find the game useful to practice ethical decisions The game will make me more efficient at making ethical decisions Using this game helps me to make an ethical decision more quickly The game will improve my performance when making ethical decisions It was easier to retain knowledge learned in this game than in a textbook or lecture The game helped me appreciate the skills needed in ethical decision making From the game I have learned ethical decision making skills which can apply in different situations From the game I have acquired new knowledge useful in day to day business decisions The game motivates me because it deals with real issues The issues presented in this game helped me to see from others' perspectives rather than just my own The game is close enough to real life to be useful to me I feel that I can make an appropriate ethical decision in the workplace after playing this game (Jagger et al 2015) Appendix 2…”

Taking Advantage of Students’ Passion for Apps in Sustainability and CSR Teaching

“…In management education, increasing attention was paid to sustainability over the past 10 years [17], and sustainable environmental education is a vital issue in our time [27]. In higher education, the challenge is to ensure business students leave university with a deep understanding of their role and responsibility toward their future employers, community, and society in general [15]. Additionally, they should be aware of the implications of being a sustainable professional and the important part they play in shaping a business world that is perceived as contributory and responsible [28].…”

“…The scant research that analyzed the effectiveness of these learning methods in business matters contrasts with the existing literature on management education, and specifically on sustainability management education, highlighting the necessity of incorporating new action learning methods into business courses. In particular, in higher education, the challenge is to ensure that business students leave university with a deep understanding of their role and responsibility toward their future employers, community, and society in general [15]. Several schools, aware of this necessity, are teaching these topics using experiential learning and immersion techniques [16].…”

Does behavior simulation based on augmented reality improve moral imagination?

“…Simulation-based learning is an innovative approach to learning, which provides more concrete experiences or learning practices by representing problems that occur in real business life, thereby increasing the students' immersion in learning (Jagger et al 2016). Innovative delivery is in line with the expectations of the current audience, who are a millennial generation with an educational instrumentalist view (Raman et al 2019) and look for investment returns from whatever they learn (Clayson and Haley 2005).…”