Graduate School of Engineering
Kyushu University
Research Skills
System dynamics
■ System dynamics
System Dynamics (SD) is a computer-aided approach for strategy and policy design. It uses simulation modeling based on feedback systems theory and is an analytical approach that complements systems thinking. It applies to dynamic problems arising in complex social, managerial, economic, or ecological systems — literally any dynamic systems characterized by interdependence, mutual interaction, information feedback, and circular causality. (System Dynamics Society)
Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is also a common method for the assessment of public projects. However, CBA is lacking a dynamic view because it does not take interactions between components into account. Thus, SD is more suitable to simulate interdisciplinary dynamics (Nguyen et al. 2019).
Author
■ Software (my preference)
1. AnyLogic
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It supports three models: (i) agent based model, (ii) system dynamics, (iii) discrete model. Furthermore, it allows us to create hybrid models.
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It is based on Java; thus, it is easy to export and share the files.
2. Vensim
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It supports continuous simulation with stocks and flows, some discrete delay and discrete event functionality.
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It is based on C and C++.
3. R
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Since I'm an R user, it makes research management easier and more efficient in terms of file management, data manipulation, and interactions with others such as econometrics and GIS.