Week 6: Research Work

Name:
MAYAG-AS, WOWIE
TAMAYO, ZEIRA
Date of submission: July 12, 2023
Section: HRA 2B

1. What is the beer game in relation to supply chain management?

A simulation game called "the beer game" is frequently used in supply chain
management classes. It seeks to provide an example of the difficulties and complexity involved
in controlling a multi-stage supply chain. Four participants participate in the game, each of
whom represents a different link in the supply chain: a retailer, wholesaler, distributor, or factory.
Based on client demand, each player decides how much beer to order and have on hand. The
game draws attention to problems including the bullwhip effect, inventory control, and difficulties
with supply chain coordination.
2. Learning organization principles and applications to the beer game.
The beer game can benefit from the application of learning organization principles in
order to improve learning and gain new perspectives. Several important guidelines are as
follows:
a) Shared Vision - Coordinating actors' objectives and actions to achieve supply chain
efficiency and coordination.
b) Mental Models - Examining presumptions and mental structures that affect judgement.
c) Team Learning - Working together to review game results and pinpoint areas for
development.
d) Systems Thinking - Recognizing how the supply chain system is interdependent and has
feedback loops.
e) Personal Mastery - Making an effort to build one's own skills and never stop learning.
By putting these ideas into practice, participants can improve their knowledge of supply
chain dynamics and create plans to deal with problems that frequently arise in games.
3. Structure-Process Event Dependencies and System Dynamics in the beer game.
In the beer game, system dynamics and structure-process event interdependence are
key factors. The game's design, which takes into account the number of participants, their
responsibilities, and the regulations, is referred to as the structure. The steps made by each
participant according to customer demand are shown in the process. The conversations and
interactions among participants lead to the emergence of event dependencies.
System dynamics, a technique for simulating complex systems, makes it possible to
comprehend the cause-and-effect relationships within the beer game. It helps to understand
how decisions and actions at one stage of the supply chain can alter and increase effects at
other stages. For instance, the supply chain may experience significant inventory imbalances
and shortages if the merchant overestimates demand.
By analyzing the framework, technique, event dependencies, and system dynamics of
the beer game, participants can identify potential inefficiencies and collaborate to improve the
overall efficiency of the supply chain.