SETU students competed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) coffee shop simulation game as part of the Developing SDG’s-driven Entrepreneurship culture across Ireland initiative.
The programme was in conjunction with University College Cork (UCC) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
A total of 23 students from the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and Bachelors of Business in Supply Chain Management programmes recently completed a coffee shop business simulation game, with their lecturer Larry Banville. Simulation games in teaching are beneficial to students because of their real-life experiential learning advantages, whilst enhancing the theory students have learned in the classroom environment.
“The SDG Coffee Shop Simulation Game gave our Supply Chain Students the opportunity to put into practice the many skills and aspects of supply chain management needed to start and run a business. During a number of rounds representing a number of periods in the life of the business they had the opportunity to work in teams, make decisions, see those decisions being implemented and after each round see the outcomes of those decisions. As a lecturer it was very rewarding to observe the enthusiasm of each team as they worked through each round of the simulation game.”
Larry Banville Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at SETU.
Business Simulation Game
Working in five teams, students established and managed virtual coffee shops within a competitive shopping mall setting. Each team was responsible for the full operation of their business, making decisions across areas including staffing, procurement, marketing, and investment. The simulation represented a six-month trading period, requiring students to integrate sustainability considerations into their business models while managing performance indicators such as costs, margins, and profitability. This hands-on approach enabled participants to better understand the complex relationship between sustainable practices and commercial success.
“It was great to see the students were so engaged in the Coffee Shop simulation game, they obviously enjoyed the real-life nature of the game and I am sure they learned a lot about the challenges facing any entrepreneur in the current demanding environment. A big thank you to Larry Banville, SETU lecturer who was the initiator of this innovative method of teaching allowing students to learn by doing."
Myles Kelly Head of Department of Business at SETU.
Student success and excellence
SETU students performed exceptionally well in the SDG coffee shop simulation, with top groups recognised for strong performance, teamwork, and strategic decision-making. First place awards were secured by participants from both the Masters and the Bachelors in Supply Chain Management programmes, reflecting excellent collaboration, adaptability, and strong business acumen throughout the exercise.
Throughout the simulation, the Masters winning team of Mary Hickey, Ayaan Kanaan Sharif, Hong Ki To, and Shilpa Vettukallammakkal Jaimon delivered a consistently strong strategy, making effective decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment. The Bachelors winning team, Caoimhe Murray, Hunter Poole, Cameron Glasgow, Philipp Von Craushaar, and Emma Walsh were also praised for their innovative approach and their ability to respond quickly to changing business conditions, reflecting the high standard of student engagement and entrepreneurial thinking at SETU.
“The simulation showed me how quickly decisions can impact performance, and making decisions as a group under time pressure was challenging. It really highlighted how dynamic and fast changing business can be. I learned that flexibility, quick thinking, monitoring, and continuous improvement are key to managing a successful business.”
SETU Winning Team in SDG-Driven Entrepreneurship Simulation Game.
SDG Entrepreneurship
The event was coordinated by Jane Foster, Rural Hubs Programme Support Officer and supported by Brian Ogilvie, Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement at SETU. The business simulation game formed part of a broader HEA-funded initiative delivered in collaboration with University College Cork (UCC). This project included a number of initiatives aimed at embedding sustainability and entrepreneurship across the university. These comprised an SDG-focused Hackathon series, a coffee shop simulation game, a digital badge in SDG Entrepreneurship for staff and students, and a masterclass in SDG Entrepreneurship.
SETU’s sustainability department supported the wider project, recognising their value in fostering innovation and advancing the university’s sustainability goals.
For more information, please contact Jane Foster at [email protected].
