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College of Business
STUDENTS EXCEL IN CAPSIM BUSINESS SIMULATION
Capstone course combines the study and practice of business
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Business students in Missouri Southern’s Strategic Management course learn from hands-on experience using the Capsim business simulation.
Strategic Management, a capstone course taken during the last semester of university work, integrates business disciplines with formal analyses of the organization’s macro and industry environment; mission and goals; and strategy formulation, implementation, and control using computer simulation and/or the case method approach.
“Having taught Strategic Management for over 35 years, one of my goals has always been to help students integrate the study of business and the practice of business,” said Dr. Robert Hilton, assistant professor of management.
“At MSSU, our graduating seniors have the opportunity to integrate the major business functions of marketing, research and development, production and finance, as well as other areas and functions including human resources, labor negotiations, ethics and total quality.”
The Capsim business simulation assesses student decisions through four practice and eight competition rounds of play. The balanced scorecard is used to assess the four pillars of business, finance, internal business systems, customer metrics, and learning and growth.
Based on the objectives of the course, Capsim industries are organized in either team or individual formats. Team formats help to build skills in team formation and execution, including peer trust, decision-making and analysis.
Five of the 18 student teams from MSSU’s 2021 spring semester scored in Capsim’s top 10 percent Overall Balanced Scorecard, with one team placing in the top 1 percent internationally. The overall ranking included more than 2,700 eligible teams from around the world.
“Based on my experiences, I have found business simulations help seniors better prepare for their next step in life, graduate studies or employment,” said Hilton. “I am so proud of all our students. It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part our future alums’ capstone experience.”
The Plaster College of Business has taken another step toward achieving accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The global nonprofit association, established in 1916, connects educators, students and businesses with a mission of improving the quality of business education around the world.
The organization’s International Initial Accreditation Committee met last spring to review the initial selfevaluation report submitted by the College of Business, and recently notified the university that the report had been accepted. “The faculty, students, administration and other stakeholders of Missouri Southern State University are to be congratulated on their efforts,” the notification stated. “The Initial Accreditation Committee commends the progress your school has made toward earning AACSB International business accreditation and looks forward to working with your school in achieving its goals.”
The goal is for the College of Business to be fully aligned with the accreditation standards when the second progress report is due in February 2023.
Students from the College of Business were invited to participate in the inaugural Joplin Regional Innovation & Technology Summit.
Presented by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the event – held on Nov. 5 – focused on issues such as cyber security, e-commerce and entrepreneurship in a series of breakout sessions.
As part of the entrepreneurship track, a pitch competition was offered at the high-school and collegiate level with $1,000 offered for first place and $500 for second. Dr. Dominic Buccieri, assistant professor of international business, and Ken Surbrugg, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship volunteered to help organize the pitch contest.
Due the variety of topics and breakout sessions offered, the event had wide appeal for business and non-business majors.
“The event is a really great opportunity for our students,” said Buccieri. “Cyber security is a growing issue, and this is an opportunity for our CIS and human resources majors to learn more about it. The e-commerce session includes a focus on women in technology.”
Other sessions covered topics such as digital marketing, start-up space, and digital workforce coding.
A discounted rate was offered for students to participate, and Buccieri said he hopes the summit will become an annual event.
