A team code-named REMT from the MBA Association of the Open University emerged as the Champion of the Hongkong Management Game on Saturday, 24 June 2000 by outperforming five other finalist teams.

The Management Game is a simulation exercise making use of the computer program SINEW 4.2 to simulate a competitive business environment.

In the Hongkong Final, each of the six teams became a company managing their own hi-tech doll manufacturing plants. Their business objective was to outperform all other competitors and return the highest profit.

However, like in the real world, they faced a number of difficult situations and had to try their best to formulate strategies to get around them.

For example, in earlier periods, they were approached by an unheard of firm which claimed to be able to supply computer chips at a much lower cost. Those teams that chose to invest in that firm found out later that, to their dismay, it vanished together with their money.

Most teams decided to participate year-after-year in an annual electronic exhibition by increasing their visibility in the industry. This strategy proved to be helping them gain a number of sizeable orders.

The performance of the winning team has been steady throughout the six trading periods. The team managed only to get the fifth position in the first trading period and climbed up the league table quickly. It managed to remain in one of the top two positions from period three onwards.

At the end of the six periods, REMT reaped a total of $2.73 million profit and won the honour of Hong Kong champion. Another team from Open University MBA Association, named YKCH, become the first runner-up as it accumulated $0.3 million less. The second runner-up was a team codenamed CUMBA.

The REMT team was awarded a cash prize of HK$25,000 donated by Arthur Andersen & Co, four airtickets to Singapore sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and the SCMP Morning Post Perpetual Trophy sponsored by the South China Morning Post.

YKCH received a cash prize of HK$10,000. CUMBA, the second runner-up, was awarded a cash prize of HK$5,000. All cash prizes were donated by Arthur Andersen & Co.

The Prize Presentation Ceremony was held immediately after the competition. It was officiated by Mr Marcellus Y Wong, Partner, Arthur Andersen & Co; Mr Grant Clelland, Business Editor, South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd; and Mr Lau Tai Fai, Deputy Director, The Hong Kong Management Association.

The Hongkong Champion team will represent Hong Kong to compete in the Regional Final against winners from Australia, India, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore. Each area takes turn to play host to the Regional Final and this year it will be held in Hong Kong in November.

Organized by The Hong Kong Management Association, the Game is sponsored by Arthur Andersen & Co, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and the South China Morning Post.

Issued by The Hong Kong Management Association on 27 June 2000.
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