Implementation of Business Simulation for Events, Pedagogy and Assessment Strategy: Exploring Task-Technology Fit and Flow Experience in Building Experiential Learning

This case study presentation showcases how business simulation was adopted to support the management of Welcome Week (Induction Week), integrated into postgraduate (PG) pedagogy, and assessment as an authentic, experiential learning strategy. Implemented within a digital e-learning environment, the simulation was designed to mirror the complexity of planning and delivering a large academic event, enabling students to engage with realistic decision-making, resource allocation, teamwork, and problem-solving tasks.

The presentation highlights how simulation was implemented and used not only as a teaching tool but also as a structured assessment approach, allowing PG students to demonstrate the application of theory in a practical, event-management context. Through scenario-based activities, students evaluated priorities, responded to changing conditions, and made collaborative decisions similar to those required in real-world academic event planning. This approach strengthened engagement by creating an immersive and interactive learning experience linked directly to curriculum outcomes.

The presentation also will highlight how the simulation supported collaboration across disciplines, year groups, and cultural backgrounds, encouraging peer learning and professional skill development. In addition, the presentation discusses the educational value of adopting simulation for assessment, particularly in promoting authentic evidence of learning, reflective practice, and applied capability. Conceptually, drawing on Task-Technology Fit (TTF) and flow experience, the study explores how alignment between task demands and simulation technology can enhance learner performance and system utilization. Finally, this presentation showcases how flow experience supports active participation and improves experiential learning outcomes when simulation is embedded in both event management practice and PG pedagogy and assessment design.