Research on the reform of simulation-based experimental teaching in economics and management in the context of educational digital transformation

Against the backdrop of the deep integration of intelligent digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing—the digital transformation of education has emerged as a core driver for paradigm shifts in higher education. Focusing on simulation-based experimental teaching in economics and management disciplines, this study examines the ongoing transition of experimental teaching from a “tool-assisted” approach to a “data- and intelligence-driven infrastructure.” It further highlights the necessity of this transformation in aligning with national digital economy strategies, reshaping pedagogical paradigms, and advancing assessment reform.In response to prevailing challenges—including the “island effect” in resource allocation, misalignment between teaching content and digital-intelligent logic, deficiencies in faculty digital competencies, and the lagging development of evaluation systems—this study proposes a systematic reform framework. Specifically, four key pathways are advanced: (1) structural reconfiguration through the construction of digitally empowered “virtual–physical integrated” experimental platforms; (2) content reconstruction by developing interdisciplinary experimental systems that integrate business operations, finance, and data analytics (“business–finance–data” integration); (3) faculty empowerment via a competency-driven support mechanism facilitating role transformation; and (4) governance upgrading through the innovation of process-oriented, full-cycle evaluation models.The findings indicate that the proposed reform pathways can effectively address the mismatch between educational supply and industry demand, significantly enhance students’ digital competencies and higher-order decision-making capabilities in complex business environments, and provide robust practical support for cultivating high-quality, interdisciplinary talents in economics and management who are well-adapted to the demands of the digital economy .