Purpose – This paper seeks to explain how negotiation simulation exercises can be used to develop management insights and theory in the areas of business continuity and international security.Design/methodology/approach – An extended multi‐cultural communication model for disaster and emergency management simulation exercises and a nine‐stage international security negotiation simulation exercise are outlined.Findings – The critical friendship group approach and the case study research approach can be used to provide insights into business continuity planning. Complex simulation exercises, underpinned by scenario planning, are useful with respect to providing training and educational support vis‐a‐vis crisis/disaster/emergency planning. A more focused approach to teaching the subject of negotiation, which takes into account the business‐international relations dimension and security in particular, will enable business and management students to link more firmly real world events with company‐government re...