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Providing teachers with innovative teaching approaches that combine simulation-based learning systems with entrepreneurship education helps create and recognize entrepreneurial opportunities. In this study, key antecedents are identified as critical drivers of flow experience and the impact of flow experience on learning performance and entrepreneurial self-efficacy is examined in order to propose a behavior model based on flow theory. Virtual Business Retailing (VBR) software, a business simulation system for convenience store operations, is used in this study to investigate the learning behavior of students and to collect data for analysis. The results reveal that challenge-skill balance and playability play a critical role in enhancing flow experience and, consequently, in improving learning performance and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The findings contribute to existing flow theory, the literature on simulation and game-based learning, and the literature on entrepreneurship education. Furthermore, the findings provide VBR education-system educators and developers with a better understanding of students' expectations and needs when interacting with retail business simulation-based learning environments as well as with guidelines to effectively design VBR educational systems that are conducive to flow experience, which may help improve entrepreneurial self-efficacy in students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of consumer role (involved vs observing) on consumer responses in the context of online group buying (OGB) service failures.Design/methodology/approach A scenario simulation method with a 2×3 factorial design was used to investigate the impact of consumer role (i.e. involved consumers and observing consumers) on consumer responses (i.e. perceived quality, negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and switching intention). The moderating role of seller offering type (i.e. physical products, true services, and pseudo services) on the relationship between the consumer role and responses was also tested.Findings The differences in perceived quality, negative eWOM, and switching intention between involved consumers and observing consumers were significant. Further, seller offering type moderated the relationship between consumer role and consumer response.Practical implications These findings provide several important theoretical and practical implications in regard to OGB service failure and recovery.Originality/value This study enriches OGB and service failure literature by a pioneering investigation of how consumer roles respond to OGB service failures and how different seller offering types influence the relationship between consumer role and consumer response. The results will help service providers of OGB benefit from enhancing their service recovery strategies to cope with OGB service failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization and the development of information technology not only accelerate the growth of the electronics industry but also threaten the industry in an increasingly competitive market. In order to have a leadership position in the electronics industry's supply chain system, WPG Holdings, as a distributor of electronic components, needs to not only maintain a good relationship with existing upstream suppliers and downstream customers but also to consolidate its position through continuous mergers and acquisitions. However, these strategies also confront WPG with the complexity of network structure. Thus, the application and adjustment of information technology play an important role in WPG's operations. This case study presents an example for business-to-business supply chain network integration. The study allows students to understand how WPG has overcomed its problems using various solutions and additionally has become the largest Asian electronic components distributor and one of the top three electronic components distributors worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]