Business Students Fare Well In National Competition

Competing against students from colleges and universities across the nation, a team of Oklahoma Baptist University business students placed in the 91st percentile in the 2009 Capsim Management Simulations competition.

Approximately 2,400 student teams participated in the online simulation experience, which is offered throughout the academic year. Three OBU student teams participated. All three placed above the 50th percentile at the conclusion of the competition. OBU's "Andrews" team placed in the 91st percentile in the first round of competition, marking the highest placement for any OBU team in the history of the competition.

Over the course of the competition, two OBU teams scored at or above the 80th percentile for individual rounds, and OBU teams had a record five times when at least one team was at or above the 80th percentile.

"All three OBU teams have set the bar high for future teams," said Dr. Keith Harman, OBU professor of business. The students participated in the Capsim competition as part of Harman's management business policy course.

"Through the competition, they take a product, design, market and sell it," Harman said. "It gives them a real taste of running a business."

The Capsim includes eight competitive rounds, where students log into the online simulation Web site, enter their results, and see how they compare to other student teams in the nation.

"Through this, the students get two dynamics," Harman said. "There is teamwork that has to occur. Also, they work under pressure of meeting deadlines, being profitable and getting market share. It's as close as we can get them to running a business."

According to the Capsim Web site, the group is "the largest provider of business simulations and business games." The site claims students "learn more and remember more when they are involved by a simulation, rather than just reading a text book or hearing a lecture."