Business Games: Approaches to the Phenomenon, Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives

In addition to being used in the teaching process, Business Games are used as research tools, as pointed out by Gentry, Tice, Robertson and Gentry (1984). This qualitative, quantitative and descriptive study is characterized as an integrative review regarding methodology, and deals with the following research problem: what are the characteristics of Brazilian academic research articles on business games, considering their approach to the phenomenon, theoretical background and methodological aspects? A total of 226 articles published in online scientific journals, as well as the Spell indexer and in conferences were analyzed. Results produced a proposed typology for the classification of research in business games, considering: (a) research approach to the phenomenon; and (b) theoretical themes. A predominance of studies was observed to focus on simulations as research objects - SARO (77.9%), while 22.1% use business simulations as a research environment - SARE. Among the studies, 38.5% were found to not mention any of the methodological classifications analyzed. The paper discusses some methodological weaknesses identified in the research area. Although classification is not instrumental in determining the quality of a study, it is evidence of consistency in the reflection process and of cohesion in the research.