Computerized beer distribution game management flight simulators : a review

Abstract

The Beer Game has been used to demonstrate the bullwhip effect often observed in supply chains, i.e. the amplification of demand variance upstream in the supply chain in multiple echelon systems. In recent years, computerized Beer Games have been developed at a number of schools to facilitate or replace the traditional manual game. This thesis reviews five existing computerized Beer Distribution Games, discusses their differences, and introduces a new computerized Beer Game currently being developed. Key words: Beer Distribution Game, Supply Chain Management, System Dynamics, System Thinking, Computer Simulation, Internet, Intranet.