Evaluation of Paradigms for Modeling Supply Chains as Complex Socio-Technical Systems

Abstract:     
Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concepts to describe the world. These assumptions, in fact, constrain the development of a conceptual model for the system of study. Consequently, the choice of appropriate simulation paradigm is an important step in model development process. In this paper, selection of a simulation approach for supply chain modeling is discussed. For this purpose, the supply chain is described from perspective of two well-established system theories. Firstly, supply chains are defined as socio-technical systems. Afterwards, they are described from complex adaptive systems perspective. This study gives a set of features for supply chains as complex socio-technical systems which is subsequently used to compare three simulation paradigms for supply chain modeling – namely, system dynamics, discrete-even simulation and agent-based simulation.

Keywords: Supply Chain, Complexity, Socio-technical System, Simulation Pradigm, Supply Chain Modeling

working papers series