Applied Agent-based Modeling in Management Research
(PDW Session 27)
Academy of Management 2009
Professional Development Workshop Invitation
This PDW is open to all Academy members, but registration is required. It is sponsored by Research Methods (RM), Business Policy & Strategy (BPS), and Organizational Communication & Information Systems (OCIS). No knowledge of programming is assumed.
WHEN: Friday August 7, 2009 (8:30am - 1pm)
WHERE: Sheraton Chicago (Huron Room)
$20 fee includes materials and refreshments
Register by July 10th (Seating is limited)
Topics Covered
What role should computational modeling play in management research?
Why use an Agent-based Model?
Some simple examples and heuristic principles for doing this research
How to build an Agent-based model Part I – Genetic Algorithms & NK approaches
How to build an Agent-based model Part II – NetLogo and RePast development systems
How can we validate Agent-based Models?
What is the new science of validation?
What advice can we get from editors on publishing research using Agent-based models?
What is the role of this method in Ph.D. education?
Despite the efflorescence of computational modeling in other areas of intellectual study, organization scientists have been noticeably lagging in their adoption of this approach. In one sense, this is curious as some of the most innovative and sophisticated uses of computational modeling appeared in the late 1950s and early 1960's at places such as Carnegie Mellon and MIT. For example, the derivative work that resulted in a one of the most highly cited references in organizational literature actually included a remarkably innovative computational model, A Behavioral Theory of the Firm by Dick Cyert and Jim March in 1963. It is also apparent that there is a substantial demand for practical information and guidance on how this method (or more accurately, these types of methods) can be applied to manage-ment research. As little formal education currently exists in Ph.D. programs in management schools, we are offering an applied PDW that is staffed by leading scholars actively engaged in these methods, including journal editors to discuss issues surrounding publication success and failure.
An emerging perspective based, in part, on that history is a general approach called agent-based modeling. It is apparent that there are currently substantial misunderstandings regarding agent-based modeling.
Workshop Presenters
Philip Anderson, INSEAD Singapore
Richard Burton, Duke University
Kathleen Carley, Carnegie Mellon University
Bill McKelvey, UCLA [Organizer]
Michael North, Argonne National Laboratory
Mike Prietula, Emory University [Organizer]
Bill Rand, University of Maryland
Zhiang "John" Lin, University of Texas at Dallas
Registrants will be sent preparatory materials prior to the workshop and receive additional materials at the workshop. A post-PDW open blog for registrants will be provided for discussion throughout the duration of the conference. The PDW does not assume any knowledge of programming, just a willingness to learn and engage.
We also suggest interested participants consider attending PDW Session 354 (Modeling Phenomenon in Organization Theory), Saturday Aug 8 (5.40pm – 7.40pm) at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
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