MBA and MSc students experience the benefits of immersive VR

Published on 18 April 2024

This week students from the Liverpool MBA, MSc in Advanced Marketing and MSc in Digital Marketing and Analytics experienced immersive virtual reality (VR) sessions developed by colleagues from INSEAD, with delivery by University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) Faculty tailored to Liverpool modules.

For the Liverpool MBA students taking the ‘Corporate Governance and Sustainability module’, students donned VR headsets to immerse themselves in a virtual corporate boardroom and were primed to act as consultants to a strategic decision-making scenario as two companies embark on an international merger. The ‘Merging Realities’ simulation is a first-hand, albeit virtual experience of boardroom decision-making and dynamics whereby students have the opportunity to play an active part in corporate governance and strategic change in publicly listed and privately owned companies.

Reflecting on the session, Terry McNulty, Professor of Management and Corporate Governance said: “This experience prepares students for their futures as managers, governors and the decision-makers. As well as learning about strategy, ownership and board effectiveness, they gain a unique perspective on the responsibility and accountability associated with working at board level.

The session represented a wonderful collaboration for ULMS with immediate learning benefits for our students. It has great potential for wider adoption and the creation of new immersive experiences that reflect the considerable research knowledge and skills of ULMS faculty and the School’s reach to wider stakeholders”

 

On attending the session, MBA student Bhavana Salvi said, "The experience provided invaluable insights into how board members make decisions, handle challenging situations, and how decisions impact stakeholders.  I received feedback on my body language and overall performance. The session underscored the importance of critical thinking and the ability to make quick decisions. As well as help me to appreciate the differences in organizational culture and the key performance indicators between publicly listed and privately owned companies. 

I am grateful to Professor Terry McNulty and ULMS for providing this enriching experience."

Our MSc marketing students explored the 'Design Thinking in Shea Supply Chains' VRX case-study as part of their “Leading Marketing” module. Students were transported across Ghana to experience the various stages of a complex, dual supply-chain model. Grounded in design-thinking methods, the students identified potential problems and challenges in product development, before using generative AI to rapid-prototype and present solutions. Students then experienced the actual solution developed by the case organisation and were able to reflect on their solution relative to the actual solution.

Reflecting on the session, Dr David Cockayne, Deputy Associate Dean (Postgraduate) said “The virtual reality case enabled students to immerse themselves in multiple business and geographical settings. In doing so, students experienced rich, detailed contextual information, including real-world market challenges and stakeholder tensions. By embedding theory in the pedagogical design of the case, students utilised cutting-edge methodologies to problem-solve, ideate, and prototype innovative solutions to a real business challenge in a fun and secure environment.”

To find out more about the session and our MSc and MBA programmes, please email ULMS MBA.