Title: Generating knowledge in management accounting for the EHEA: using a simulation to learn about the balanced scorecard

Authors: Elena Urquía Grande; Clara Isabel Muñoz Colomina; Elisa Isabel Cano Montero

Addresses: Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain ' Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain ' University of Castilla La Mancha, CEU Talavera de la Reina, Avda. de la Seda s/n, Spain

Abstract: In the information age, the university and business worlds are complex interrelated environments. Spanish universities have set themselves the target of adapting to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) so that teachers contribute to producing professionals with the profile demanded by society, consistently supported by information and communication technologies (ICT). This research project proposes the use of simulation as a method for teaching the subject of management accounting. Firstly, it aims to show that through the use of a balanced scorecard (BSC) simulation students develop cognitive and transversal competences which are then reflected in improved results. Secondly, it analyses whether factors such as work experience and education influence the use of this tool. All these factors are reflected in the statistical analysis of the results obtained by using the simulation with a sample of 120 students divided by qualification into four groups, three being postgraduate masters and one a first degree course, in the period 2006-2007.

Keywords: management accounting; simulation; European Higher Education Area; EHEA; balanced scorecard; BSC; Spain; universities; accounting education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCA.2012.051464

International Journal of Critical Accounting, 2012 Vol.4 No.5/6, pp.542 - 571

Published online: 07 Aug 2014 *

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