EMBA Business Simulation

Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya Balmes University Foundation

Activity details

This badge certifies the practical application of executive management competencies in a simulated business environment, where participants assume full responsibility for the overall management of a company while competing in real time against other teams.

The activity required participants to integrate decisions across strategy, operations, marketing, finance, internationalisation, and sustainability, adopting a holistic approach to business management.

Objectives

• Lead a company in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
• Make strategic decisions based on business data and performance indicators.
• Integrate the different functional areas of the organisation into the decision-making process.
• Develop leadership, teamwork, and complexity management competencies.
• Maximise organisational value through a holistic and sustainable business perspective.

Activities

Manage a company operating in the leather and fashion industry throughout successive decision-making rounds using the Global Management Business Simulator, making real strategic decisions within Market O while competing directly against other teams enrolled in the same Executive MBA programme.

• Analyse business performance reports, income statements, and balance sheets to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Define pricing strategies by product and market while prioritising target demand segments.
• Plan production operations and logistics, managing inventory levels and industrial technology investments.
• Decide on the establishment and management of international manufacturing facilities as part of the company's internationalisation strategy.
• Conduct executive management meetings to resolve internal conflicts and strengthen leadership team cohesion.
• Compete directly in Market 0, continuously adapting the business strategy from one decision round to the next according to market developments and competitors' actions.

Competencies

• Ability to analyse complex situations and make strategic decisions under pressure and with incomplete information.
• Systems thinking and resilience in VUCA/VANI environments, anticipating the impact of decisions across the organisation.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams, effectively managing diversity while fostering cohesion, trust, and collaboration.
• Effective conflict management, recognising conflict as a positive opportunity to improve business outcomes, in line with Patrick Lencioni's team dysfunctions model.
• Data-driven decision-making based on Big Data, Business Intelligence, and economic and financial analysis.
• Holistic business perspective, integrating strategy, marketing, operations, finance, and international business management.
• Integration of sustainability (ESG) principles and the Triple Bottom Line approach into corporate management and shared value creation for stakeholders.

Badge recipients

Students enrolled in the Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) at UVic-UCC.