Teaching Tip: Simulated Interface for Management and Collaborative Decision Systems: A Computer-Based Supply Chain Application for Teaching Information Transparency

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.62273/TFRC4843

Publication Title

Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE)

Volume

37

Issue

1

Pages

18-46

Abstract

This teaching tip presents the Simulated Interface for Management and Collaborative Decision Systems (SIMCDS), an Excel-based simulation designed to teach the role of information transparency in strategic supply chain decision-making. In the activity, students assume the roles of Manufacturer, Distributor, and Retailer, managing inventory decisions under both limited and full information-sharing conditions. The simulation illustrates how transparency affects service levels, costs, and overall system coordination. Implemented in an undergraduate strategic management course, SIMCDS was associated with measurable increases in students’ self-reported understanding of data-driven collaboration and inter-node decision-making. By combining active learning with realistic supply chain dynamics, the tool reinforces key operational concepts and aids experiential exploration of transparency’s strategic value.

Rights

© Published by ISCAP, Information Systems and Computing Academic Professionals, North Carolina, USA.

All rights reserved. Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holder and the author.

ORCID

0000-0002-0255-968X (Soto-Ferrari)

Original Publication Citation

Soto-Ferrari, M., Chams-Anturi, O., Casile, M., & Escorcia-Caballero, J. P. (2026). Teaching tip: Simulated interface for management and collaborative decision systems: A computer-based supply chain application for teaching information transparency. Journal of Information Systems Education, 37(1), 18-46. https://doi.org/10.62273/TFRC4843

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