Investigating retention and workplace implementation of board game learning in employee development

Abstract

Orientation: Business simulation games for the development of learners take many forms, such as video games and computer games, and are popular choices in academia. The board game, however, is an underutilised educational tool in the development of employees.

Research purpose: The retention of board game learning long after the intervention, and the workplace implementation of the decisions it has involved, is an area neglected by academia.

Motivation for the study: This study wanted to determine if board games are an effective teaching tool by investigating retention and workplace learning of board games.

Research design, approach and method: This qualitative study used descriptive interpretation and deductive content analysis based on two group interviews conducted 1 year after the board game was played.

Main finding: This study showed that the participants retained and implemented the learning long after the board game intervention. It is a practical, interactive way to encourage teamwork and allows participants to learn and implement decisions.

Practical and managerial implications: Company executives should consider board games as an alternative to traditional educational methods of developing employees.

Contribution or value-add: This study showed overwhelmingly that employees still remember the board game 1 year after the intervention and implemented some of its learning in the workplace.