Mitigating sustainability risk in supplier populations: an agent-based simulation study

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 897-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Hajmohammad ◽  
Anton Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based

PurposeMany modern firms strive to become sustainable. To this end, they are required to improve not only their own environmental and social performance but also the performance of their suppliers. Building on population ecology theory, we explore how buyers' exposure to supplier sustainability risk and their subsequent risk management strategies at the buyer–supplier dyad level can lead to adherence to sustainability by the supplier populations.Design/methodology/approachWe rely on a bottom-up research design, in which the actions of buyers within buyer–supplier dyads lead to population-wide changes on the supplier side. Specifically, we use experimental data on managing sustainability risk to build an agent-based simulation model and assess the effect of evolutionary processes on the presence of sustainable/unsustainable business practices in the supplier population.FindingsOur findings suggest that buyers' cumulative actions in managing sustainability risk do not necessarily result in effective population-wide improvements (i.e. at a high rate and to a high degree). For example, in high risk impact conditions, the buyer population is usually able to decrease the population level risk in a long run, but they would need both power and resources for quickly achieving such improved outcomes. Importantly, this positive change, in most cases, is due to the fact that the buyer population selects out the suppliers with high probability of misconduct (i.e. decreased supplier population density).Originality/valueDrawing on the organizational population ecology theory, we explore when, to what degree and how quickly the buyers' cumulative efforts can lead to population-wide changes in the level of supplier sustainability risk, as well as the composition and density of supplier population. Methodologically, this paper is one of the first studies which use a combination of experimental data and agent-based modeling to offer more valuable insights on supply networks.

An agent-based simulation model for IING’s adoption from a perspective of kinetic energy and potential energy

Kybernetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Qingpu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Social Physics ◽  
Physical Energy ◽  
Energy Theory

Purpose Internet-based intangible network good (IING) has revolutionized multiple industries in recent years. This paper aims to reveal the laws of consumer’s decision-making on IING from a perspective of kinetic energy and potential energy. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, 4 aspects and 17 factors influencing IING adoption were generalized. Based on the theory of social physics, an agent-based simulation model, introducing physical energy theory to depict consumer’s decision-making, was built. An agent’s kinetic energy reflects the agent’s perceived effect of mass media on the agent’s decision-making on IING adoption. An agent’s potential energy reflects the agent’s perceived effect of social interactions on the agent’s decision-making on the adoption of IING. An agent’s final energy is the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy, which reflects the agent’s final decision. Findings Some factors mainly influence the diffusion velocity, while other factors have a dramatic impact on both diffusion velocity and diffusion scale. The agent’s personality can make a difference at the early and middle stages of IING adoption, but a faint impact at the later stage because of the effects of network externalities and word of mouth. There is a critical value of the number of initial adopters which can dramatically speed up IING adoption. Practical implications This study provides new insights for firms on the effects of factors influencing consumers’ decision-making on IING adoption. Originality/value This paper defines a new kind of innovation, IING, and generalizes IING’s special characteristics. As a new application of social physics, the physical energy theory has been creatively introduced to depict consumer’s decision-making on IING adoption. A kinetic and potential energy model of IING adoption has been built. Based on simulation experiments, new insights of IING adoption have been gained.

scholarly journals BDI vs FSM Agents in Social Simulations for Raising Awareness in Disasters

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Adam ◽  
Patrick Taillandier ◽  
Julie Dugdale ◽  
Benoit Gaudou
Keyword(s):  
Finite State Machine ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Simulated Population ◽  
Agent Architecture ◽  
Agent Based Models ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Finite State

Each summer in Australia, bushfires burn many hectares of forest, causing deaths, injuries, and destroying property. Agent-based simulation is a powerful tool to test various management strategies on a simulated population, and to raise awareness of the actual population behaviour. But valid results depend on realistic underlying models. This article describes two simulations of the Australian population's behaviour during bushfires designed in previous work, one based on a finite-state machine architecture, the other based on a belief-desire-intention agent architecture. It then proposes several contributions towards more realistic agent-based models of human behaviour: a methodology and tool for easily designing BDI models; a number of objective and subjective criteria for comparing agent-based models; a comparison of our two models along these criteria, showing that BDI provides better explanability and understandability of behaviour, makes models easier to extend, and is therefore best adapted; and a discussion of possible extensions of BDI models to further improve their realism.

A new agent-based simulation model of bilateral negotiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-148
Author(s):  
Frieder Lempp
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bilateral Negotiation ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Negotiation Strategies ◽  
Negotiation Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new agent-based simulation model of bilateral negotiation based on a synthesis of established theories and empirical studies of negotiation research. The central units of the model are negotiators who pursue goals, have attributes (trust, assertiveness, cooperativeness, creativity, time, etc.) and perform actions (proposing and accepting offers, exchanging information, creating value, etc). Design/methodology/approach Methodologically, the model follows the agent-based approach to modeling. This approach is chosen because negotiations can be described as complex, non-linear systems involving autonomous agents (i.e. the negotiators), who interact with each other, pursue goals and perform actions aimed at achieving their goals. Findings This paper illustrates how the model can simulate experiments involving variables such as negotiation strategy, creativity, reservation value or time in negotiation. An example simulation is presented which investigates the main and interaction effects of negotiators’ reservation value and their time available for a negotiation. A software implementation of the model is freely accessible at https://tinyurl.com/y7oj6jo8. Research limitations/implications The model, as developed at this point, provides the basis for future research projects. One project could address the representation of emotions and their impact on the process and outcome of negotiations. Another project could extend the model by allowing negotiators to convey false information (i.e. to bluff). Yet another project could be aimed at refining the routines used for making and accepting offers with a view to allow parties to reach partial settlements during a negotiation. Practical implications Due to its broad scope and wide applicability, the model can be used by practitioners and researchers alike. As a decision-support system, the model allows users to simulate negotiation situations and estimate the likelihood of negotiation outcomes. As a research platform, it can generate simulation data in a cost- and time-effective way, allowing researchers to simulate complex, large-N studies at no cost or time. Originality/value The model presented in this paper synthesizes in a novel way a comprehensive range of concepts and theories of current negotiation research. It complements other computational models, in that it can simulate a more diverse range of negotiation strategies (distributive, integrative and compromise) and is applicable to a greater variety of negotiation scenarios.

On the contributions and the validation of an agent-based simulation model of innovation diffusion

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 647-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad G. Nejad
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Modeling ◽  
Agent Based Modeling ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Complex Phenomena ◽  
Specific Paper

Purpose This paper provides an overview of agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) and evaluates the questions that have been raised regarding the “assumptions and mechanisms used” by a well-cited paper that has used this methodology. Design/methodology/approach This work provides a review of agent-based simulation modeling and its capabilities to advance and test theory. The commentary then evaluates and addresses the raised questions and reservations. Findings Agent-based modeling offers unique capabilities that can be used to explore complex phenomena in business and marketing. Some of the raised reservations may be considered as directions for future research. However, the criticisms are for most part unsupported by existing research and do not undermine the contributions of the paper that is being discussed. Practical implications Given its relative novelty, reservations regarding agent-based simulation modeling are quite natural. Discussions like this one would bring together different points of view and lead to a better understanding of how using ABMS can benefit academia and industry. Originality/value This commentary is part of an intellectual dialogue that seeks to provide different points of view about agent-based simulation modeling using a specific paper as an example.

scholarly journals Agent-based simulation in management and organizational studies: a survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Alfonso Gómez-Cruz ◽  
Isabella Loaiza Saa ◽  
Francisco Fernando Ortega Hurtado
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Rigorous Framework ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Operational Decision Making

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive survey of the literature about the use of agent-based simulation (ABS) in the study of organizational behavior, decision making, and problem-solving. It aims at contributing to the consolidation of ABS as a field of applied research in management and organizational studies. Design/methodology/approach The authors carried out a non-systematic search in literature published between 2000 and 2016, by using the keyword “agent-based” to search through Scopus’ business, management and accounting database. Additional search criteria were devised using the papers’ keywords and the categories defined by the divisions and interest groups of the Academy of Management. The authors found 181 articles for this survey. Findings The survey shows that ABS provides a robust and rigorous framework to elaborate descriptions, explanations, predictions and theories about organizations and their processes as well as develop tools that support strategic and operational decision making and problem-solving. The authors show that the areas that report the highest number of applications are operations and logistics (37 percent), marketing (17 percent) and organizational behavior (14 percent). Originality/value The paper illustrates the increasingly prominent role of ABS in fields such as organizational behavior, strategy, human resources, marketing and logistics. To-date, this is the most complete survey about ABS in all management areas.

Determining response time factors of emergency medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Budi Mulyono ◽  
Noorhan Firdaus Pambudi ◽  
Lukni Burhanuddin Ahmad ◽  
Akbar Adhiutama
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Medical Service ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Emergency Medical

PurposeThe lack of studies about the response time of emergency medical service during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in a dense city of a developing country has triggered this study to explore the factors contributing to a high response time of ambulance service to reach patients in need. An evaluation of contributing factors to the response time is necessary to guide decision-makers in keeping a high service level of emergency medical service.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed an agent-based modeling approach with input parameters from interviews with emergency medical service staff in Bandung city, Indonesia. The agent-based model is established to evaluate the relevant contribution of the factors to response time reduction using several scenarios.FindingsAccording to agent-based simulation, four factors contribute to the response time: the process of preparing crew and ambulance during the pandemic, coverage area, traffic density and crew responsiveness. Among these factors, the preparation process during the pandemic and coverage area significantly contributed to the response time, while the traffic density and crew responsiveness were less significant. The preparation process is closely related to the safety procedure in handling patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and normal time. The recommended coverage area for maintaining a low response time is 5 km, equivalent to six local subdistricts.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has explored the factors contributing to emergency medical response time. The insignificant contribution of the traffic density showed that citizens, in general, have high awareness and compliance to traffic priority regulation, so crew responsiveness in handling ambulances is an irrelevant factor. This study might have different contributing factors for less dense population areas and focuses on public emergency medical services provided by the local government.Practical implicationsThe local government must provide additional funding to cover additional investment for ambulance, crew and administration for the new emergency service deployment point. Exercising an efficient process in ambulance and crew preparation is mandatory for each emergency deployment point.Originality/valueThis study evaluates the contributing factors of emergency medical response time in the pandemic and normal situation by qualitative analysis and agent-based simulation. The performance comparison in terms of medical response time before and after COVID-19 through agent-based simulation is valuable for decision-makers to reduce the impact of COVID-19.

scholarly journals The Asian plethodontid salamander preserves historical genetic imprints of recent northern expansion

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Yoon Jeon ◽  
Ji-hwa Jung ◽  
Ho Young Suk ◽  
Hang Lee ◽  
Mi-Sook Min
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Korean Peninsula ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Salamander Species

AbstractThe Korean Peninsula, located at the southern tip of Northeast Asia, has never been covered by ice sheets and was a temperate refugium during the Pleistocene. Karsenia koreana, the sole Asian plethodontid salamander species, occurs only on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and is thought to have found various climatic refugia. Despite its phylogenetic and biogeographic importance, no population-level genetic analysis has been performed on this species. Here we study the population genetic structure of K. koreana using mitochondrial and microsatellite loci to understand the recent historical dispersion process that shaped its current distribution. Overall, the genetic distance between populations correlated well with the spatial distance, and the genetic structure among populations showed signs of a unilateral northward expansion from a southernmost refugium population. Given the distinct genetic structure formed among the populations, the level of historical gene flow among populations appears to have been very low. As the estimated effective population size of K. koreana was also small, these results suggest that the small, restricted populations of K. koreana are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes that may require high levels of genetic diversity to cope with. Thus, special management strategies are needed to preserve these remnant populations.

scholarly journals Testing early and late connectivity dynamics in the lab: an experiment using 4-agent micro-societies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Segovia-Martín ◽  
Monica Tamariz
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Communication Task ◽  
Improve Model ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Graphical Communication ◽  
The Impact

How does the order of individuals' interactions affect the emergence of shared conventions at the population level? The answer to this question is relevant for a number of fields, such as cultural evolution, linguistics, cognitive science or behavioral economics. In this study we investigate experimentally how two different network connectivity dynamics affect the evolution of the diversity of cultural variants of the communication system. We report an experiment in the lab in which participants engage in a Pictionary-like graphical communication task as members of a 4-participant micro-society, interacting in pairs with the other three members of the community across 4 rounds. The experiment has two main goals: First, to evaluate the effect of two network connectivity dynamics (early and late) on the evolution of the convergence of micro-societies on shared communicative conventions under controlled conditions. Second, to compare the predictions of the agent-based model described in a previous study (Segovia-Martín, Walker, Fay, & Tamariz, 2019) against experimental data, and calibrate the model to find the best-fitting parameter setting. Our experimental data shows that, as predicted by the model, an early connectivity dynamic increases convergence and a late connectivity dynamic slows down convergence. We found significant differences between conditions in round 3 and round 4. We estimate the best-fit parameter combination for the 96 data structures coded. Medium to high content bias, neutral to egocentric coordination bias and memory size of 3 rounds was associated with a better model fit. In the light of the model evaluation and the experiment outcome, we discuss the impact of our predictions on social influence research and possible factors that might help to improve model precision.

scholarly journals On the quest for defining organisational plasticity: a community modelling experiment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peer-Olaf Siebers ◽  
Dinuka Herath ◽  
Emanuele Bardone ◽  
Siavash Farahbakhsh ◽  
Peter Gloggengiehser Knudsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Computational Simulation ◽  
Idea Generation ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Social Simulation ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
The Social

PurposeThis viewpoint article is concerned with an attempt to advance organisational plasticity (OP) modelling concepts by using a novel community modelling framework (PhiloLab) from the social simulation community to drive the process of idea generation. In addition, the authors want to feed back their experience with PhiloLab as they believe that this way of idea generation could also be of interest to the wider evidence-based human resource management (EBHRM) community.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used some workshop sessions to brainstorm new conceptual ideas in a structured and efficient way with a multidisciplinary group of 14 (mainly academic) participants using PhiloLab. This is a tool from the social simulation community, which stimulates and formally supports discussions about philosophical questions of future societal models by means of developing conceptual agent-based simulation models. This was followed by an analysis of the qualitative data gathered during the PhiloLab sessions, feeding into the definition of a set of primary axioms of a plastic organisation.FindingsThe PhiloLab experiment helped with defining a set of primary axioms of a plastic organisation, which are presented in this viewpoint article. The results indicated that the problem was rather complex, but it also showed good potential for an agent-based simulation model to tackle some of the key issues related to OP. The experiment also showed that PhiloLab was very useful in terms of knowledge and idea gathering.Originality/valueThrough information gathering and open debates on how to create an agent-based simulation model of a plastic organisation, the authors could identify some of the characteristics of OP and start structuring some of the parameters for a computational simulation. With the outcome of the PhiloLab experiment, the authors are paving the way towards future exploratory computational simulation studies of OP.

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