Learning from a Simulated Reality

RESUMÉ

The dissemination and implementation of the findings from research into the strategic management of building firms is constrained by the lack of familiarity of most executives with key concepts of management, organization, economics and strategy. AROUSAL is a unique business simulation system which provides a supportive learning environment for executives to develop an operational understanding of strategic management and generate the confidence to apply that understanding. Thus, AROUSAL provides a powerful approach w the dissemination of complex research findings and to influencing decision-making in organizations. The approach draws on a wide range of training and organizational development methodologies. The key ingredient is a highly flexible computer modelling system which recreates the world of the manager and allows him to manage his business into the medium-term future. The paper discusses the issues faced in developing the approach.

La diffusion et la réalisation des conclusions des recherches sur I'administration stratégique des firmes du bâtiment subissent le manque de connaissance des concepts clefs de la gestion, de I'organisation, de l' économique et de la strategie pour la plupart des cadres. AROUSAL est un systeme unique de simulation des cas, quifoumit aux cadres une possibilité de développer une compréhension opérationelle de l'administration stratégique, et de mettre en pratique cette compréhension. Ainsi, AROUSAL permet d'unefaçon très puissante la diffusion des conclusions complexes des recherches à fin d'inflechir le processus de la decision dans les organisations. La façon utilise un grande étendue des méthodologies de la formation et du developpement organisational L' élément clef est un système très flexible du modelage par ordinateur qui recrée la monde du cadre et permet à lui d'administrer sa firme dans I'avenir à terme moyen. L'article discute les problemes qui se présentaient au développement de la façon.     

Physical Dimensions of Counseling: Perspective for the Helping Professions

Fifteen graduate students in the helping professions registered in a course that teaches helpers to use physical fitness as a counseling medium. The enrolled graduate students were matched with controls in four relevant areas, and both groups were pretested on 7 physiological and 11 psychological variables. The experimental students were given a 10-week treatment of physical fitness training, counseling in health habits, a life-style of well-being, and instruction in how to deliver these kinds of treatments to clients. For eight weeks the students used the skills in working with real clients. The experimental and control groups were posttested on the same variables; and multivariate and univariate analyses revealed significantly positive changes made by the experimental group. This article reports implications for graduate programs in the helping professions.