Developing Organizational Simulations : A Guide for Practitioners and Students

This book provides a concise source of information on effective and practical methods for constructing simulation exercises for the assessment of psychological characteristics relevant to effectiveness in work organizations. Simulation exercises present the examinee with descriptions of complex situations that stimulate aspects of real-world settings and problems. Examinees are required to demonstrate overt behavior in handling the problems presented. The process and/or products of this behavior are observed by trained assessors who observe behavior, classify behaviors into relevant dimensions, and evaluate effectiveness. Simulations can provide assessments of abilities, skills, and competencies not readily measured by other testing techniques.

Developing Organizational Simulations provides practical guidance for defining the attributes to be assessed, constructing the stimulus material, and designing methods for administration and scoring. Several different situational exercises are presented, including business games, leaderless group discussions, in-baskets, one-on-one interaction simulations, and case studies/presentations. Steps to ensure the reliability, validity, and legal defensibility of assessments from simulations are described. In addition, the book presents the use of simulation exercises for the purposes of personnel selection, training, development, and certification. Professional standards and guidelines relevant to the construction of simulation exercises are also covered.

George C. Thornton III is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Colorado State University, USA. He specializes in assessment centers and implications of employment discrimination law for personnel psychology. He is the lead author of Assessment Center Perspectives for Talent Management Strategies.

Rose A. Mueller-Hanson is Associate Director/CFO at Community Interface Services, USA. She specializes in developing and implementing talent management programs and has published numerous articles and given presentations on a variety of talent management topics.

Deborah E. Rupp is Professor and William C. Byham Chair in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Purdue University, USA. She specializes in the psychometric, technological, cross-cultural, legal, and ethical issues inherent in workplace behavioral assessment. She also consults and conducts research in the areas of organizational justice/ethics, corporate social responsibility, and humanitarian work psychology.