Agent-Based Modelling of Socio-Technical Systems

Decision makers in large scale interconnected network systems require simulation models for decision support. The behaviour of these systems is determined by many actors, situated in a dynamic, multi-actor, multi-objective and multi-level environment. How can such systems be modelled and how can the socio-technical complexity be captured? Agent-based modelling is a proven approach to handle this challenge.

This book provides a practical introduction to agent-based modelling of socio-technical systems, based on a methodology that has been developed at Delft University of Technology and which has been deployed in a large number of case studies. The book consists of two parts: the first presents the background, theory and methodology as well as practical guidelines and procedures for building models. In the second part this theory is applied to a number of case studies, where for each model the development steps are presented extensively, preparing the reader for creating own models.

Foreword by Prof Nigel Gilbert. - Preface by the editors. - 1 Introduction; G. P. J. Dijkema, Z. Lukszo and M. P. C. Weijnen. -

Part I Theory and practice. - 2 Theory; I. Nikolic and J. Kasmire. -3 Practice; I. Nikolic, K. H. van Dam and J. Kasmire. - Part II Case Studies. - 4 Introduction to the Case Studies; K. H. van Dam, I. Nikolic and Z. Lukszo. - 5 Agent-Based Models of Supply Chains; B. Behdani, K. H. van Dam and Z. Lukszo. - 6 An Agent-Based Model of Consumer Lighting; E. J. L. Chappin and M. R. Afman. - 7 An Agent-based Model of CO2 Policies and Electricity Generation; E. J. L. Chappin and G. P. J. Dijkema. - 8 An Agent-Based Model of a Mobile Phone Production, Consumption and Recycling Network; L. A. Bollinger, C. B. Davis and I. Nikolic. - 9 Next Steps in Modelling Socio-Technical Systems: Towards Collaborative Modelling; A. Chmieliauskas, C. B. Davis and L. A. Bollinger. -

List of Contributors. - Index.