Abstract
M.Comm. (Strategic Management)
The turbulent and swiftly changing business environment assigns
very big requirements and challenges to managers of all
enterprises. Because of the current political and constitutional
process of reform, local authorities find themselves on the verge
of dramatical structural change.
Traditionally local authorities operated in a relatively
predictable and inert environment. The turbulent and swiftly
changing environment, together with the expected structural
changes, assign unprecedented demands and challenges to the
managers of local government. To enable managers to handle these
requirements and challenges to the optimal benefit of their
residents and businessmen, the advancement of strategic
management is of utmost importance.
This study is directed at the distinguishing of potential
requirements and challenges that could be assigned to managers
in local government and to local government's pressing need of
strategic management. A discussion of the use of computerbased
management simulation as support to strategic mana~ment training
in local government is included in the study.
The central purpose of the study is to distinguish different
applications of management simulation as an aid to the promotion
of strategic management in local government and to indicate the
value thereof. Management simulation can successfully be used to provide managers in local authority with simulated experience of
the practical application of strategic management theory.
Managers get the opportunity of strategically directing a
simulated local authority and in this way they can make decisions
without the need to fear for the consequences of erroneous
decisions. There is no doubt that management simulation can make
a worthwhile contribution to the advancement of strategic
management in local government.