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Snapshot |
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Automotive industry is extremely sensitive to
market
dynamics whether internal or external. Such sensitivity requires highly
qualified
calibers to
manage and run the business with all its complicated mechanism. "Off the
job
training" has become an essential for developing skills in addition to
job experience. However, till now, most training tools are rather
theoretical or maybe case based workshops. Time and dynamism were
factors though very important yet cannot be covered in traditional
training techniques. A simulation is an experiential learning exercise.
The emphasis is on practice and active learning within a
cross-functional business experience. The players provide the living
detail through their own deliberations, actions and interactions with
competitors and the market. The exercise represents a series of
interconnected cases. |
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Every decision period represents a new case, a new set circumstances.
the students do not need to role play "AutoDynamics©"
is simulation software, which has been developed for the automotive
industry in Egypt. it used Vensim®
software in model building, and a visual basic interface program aiming
to introduce training software that
applies simulation methodology to this market. The model falls into four
dimensions; operating dimension which represents all important decisions
related to automotive industry, marketing dimension representing all
important decision that need to be taken by marketing department in an
automotive company, finance dimension representing all important
financial decision that should be taken by a financial department in an
automotive company, and human resource dimension representing all
important human resource decisions for the company the
core of
the software focused on setting company objectives and strategy.
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The Software has been validated
in tow stages; model validation, and interface validation. Experts from
automotive industry have been interviewed to validate the software.
Interviewed experts believed that model is very close to reality to the
degree made them satisfied enough of by the model's building, especially
that this model is designed for a training purpose. They were also
satisfied enough by model's dimensions; also they still believe that the
customer services should be added as a fifth dimension. They appreciate
the degree the
model achieves its learning objectives and they believe it reasonably
covers
the targeted topic. They expressed much pleasure of running the program;
since it
allowed them to fully understand decision making and
business planning process. |
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Developing "AutoDynamics©"
as a training tool for the automotive industry applying simulation
methodology was important to be introduced to the Egyptian market.
Continue both vertical and horizontal developing over this research is
recommended. A vertical developing of newer version of "AutoDynamics©"
could include for examples the excluded variables such as exchange rate,
governmental rules, and overall economic situation. A fifth dimension
for manufacturing could also be added to cover the need of some local
assembling companies. Horizontal developing of other models for
different Egyptian industries is also important. Pharmaceutical, Oil,
banking, and fast moving
consumable goods are examples for those industries. |
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