Conscious Capitalism: Bikes, the Marketplace Simulations game

Marketplace Simulations, a company based in Knoxville, Tennessee, built Conscious Capitalism: Bikes together with the nonprofit Conscious Capitalism, Inc. It is one of more than 30 simulations in the company's catalog and is based on the Conscious Capitalism movement founded by Dr. Raj Sisodia. In 2022 it was one of nine higher education games cited for excellence in the International Serious Play Awards.

Players receive seed capital and launch a new product line: carbon fiber bikes made on 3D printers, light, strong and cheaper than earlier carbon models, and customizable to each rider. Because the printers allow made-to-order production, there is no inventory to finance or store anywhere in the supply chain. Riders are curious but waiting to see what the player teams will offer.

The developers' pitch is a gap between knowledge and skill. Employers have said that new business graduates lack workplace competencies, and the simulation lets students practice decisions instead of only studying them.

The goal is to build a profitable company that also serves employees, customers, suppliers, the community and shareholders, set against the traditional aim of maximizing profit. Students meet ethical, environmental and sustainability questions alongside the usual management ones, such as whether buyers will pay a premium for a tailored bike.

Play is online and self-guided, with built-in instructions, help files and warnings. A full run has 6 decision rounds of 2 to 3 hours each. Short micro-simulations on key business concepts help players do better in the main game.

There are two versions. In Play Against Classmates, teams of 4 or 5 students compete. In Play Against the Computer, students can work alone, which avoids arranging teams in a large class. Harvard Business Publishing Education distributes both.

A Harvard Business Publishing Education page still lists Marketplace Simulations: Conscious Capitalism among its offerings. It describes students being challenged to operate a conscious business in contrast to the traditional profit-maximizing paradigm, working through ethical, environmental and sustainability issues on top of ordinary management challenges. It does not mention bicycles or separate editions.

Whether the bicycle version is still sold under the name Conscious Capitalism: Bikes remains unconfirmed. The developer's own product page for it has not been verified, so the listing above is the only current evidence of the game.