Title: Agent-based simulation and analysis of a complex adaptive supply network

Authors: Selen Onel; Abe Zeid; Sagar Kamarthi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., 330 Snell Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., 330 Snell Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., 330 Snell Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA

Abstract: Today's markets are entities of a rapidly changing business ecosystem. Sheer complexity and unpredictable nature of complex markets require enterprises to try different approaches to survive disturbances in this sensitive ecosystem. Previously, unpredictable nature of the markets is studied using equation-based approaches and traditional simulation based approaches. However, these modelling approaches fall short of capturing the dynamics of complex adaptive nature of the markets. Therefore, this work develops an agent based model of a realistic computer manufacturing enterprise ecosystem (CMEE) to gain insights into the behaviour of enterprises and interactions in their supply chain. The model studies the end result of the decisions and actions of computer manufacturing enterprises and their customers. It observes the changing trends in this environment and the effects of those trends on market life expectancy and performance measures.

Keywords: multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; complex supply networks; adaptive supply networks; agent-based simulation; computer manufacturing; enterprise ecosystems; supply chain management; SCM; market life expectancy; performance measures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCENT.2014.066327

International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2014 Vol.4 No.3, pp.188 - 204

Received: 12 Jul 2013
Accepted: 06 Apr 2014
Published online: 16 Dec 2014 *

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