TRENDS IN LEARNING GROUP PERFORMANCE IN PROBLEM-SOLVING SIMULATIONS

The paper discusses the application of simulations for group problem solving in management training. The aim is to explore trends in group performance, which can then serve as a starting point for analysis and discussion of decision-making processes during training sessions. The results of the observation of the work process of 113 groups with a total number of participants of about 500 people were obtained from 5 different simulations based on a procedure developed by Human Synergistics. Average individual and group results, the gain/loss from the group discussion and the resulting synergy in the group were calculated as efficiency measures. The results of the Bulgarian groups are compared with those of known published studies and can serve as reference values. Expectations of similarity in the performance trends of individuals and groups are confirmed. The hypotheses regarding the increase in the quality of group decisions compared to the averaged individual results (in 82% of cases) and the relatively limited achievement of synergy (only in 30% of cases) are confirmed. Differences are also established between groups based on belonging to a private or state organization and open groups or members of a team/organization. The observations create a basis for more in-depth discussions during the training sessions on how the quality of decisions can be improved by increasing the quality of interactions between group participants.