Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Soft Systems Agent-Based Methodology: Multi-methods Approach Between Soft Systems Methodology and Agent-Based Modeling

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Agent-Based Approaches in Economics and Social Complex Systems IX

Part of the book series: Agent-Based Social Systems ((ABSS,volume 15))

Abstract

The world is now moving toward a pluralistic approach of combining several methods, both hard and soft, within an intervention multimethodology. It currently shows an upward movement for social researcher to employ methodologies grounded on environmental analysis and ecosystem modeler, known as hard system, or preferably on participatory processes, stated as soft system. Both approaches surely have their own positive and negative points to reckon with the complexity of systems from various perspectives. However, a major existing gap is the lack of a clear methodology for integrating these two approaches. This paper synthesizes a promising integration in soft systems methodology (SSM) and agent-based modeling (ABM) that hereinafter referred to as soft systems agent-based methodology (SSABM). SSABM emerges from the limitations of soft systems dynamic methodology (SSDM), which combines SSM and system dynamics (SD) approach. The theoretical and methodological assumption in SSM, ABM, and SD is briefly discussed, and critiques for each method are presented. Regarding their theoretical and methodological approach, this paper shows a comparison between SSABM and SSDM in dealing with decision-making.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Akkermans, H. A. (2001). Renga: A systems approach to facilitating inter-organisational network development. System Dynamics Review, 17(3), 179–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Andrews, C. L. (2000). Restoring legitimacy to the systems approach. IEEE Technology and Society, 19(4), 38–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Axelrod, R. J. ConQict Res. 41 (1997) 203 (reprinted in R. Axelrod, The complexity of cooperation, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1997).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Axelrod, R. (2006). Advancing the art of simulation in the social sciences. In J.-P. Rennard (Ed.), Handbook of research on nature inspired computing for economics and management. IGR: Hershey.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Borschev, A. and Filippov, A. (2004). From system dynamics and discrete event to practical agent based modelling: Reasons, techniques, tools. In 22nd international conference of the system dynamics society. Oxford, UK. online: www.systemdynamics.org/conferences/2004/SDS_2004/PAPERS/381BORSH.pdf

  6. Checkland, P. B., & Scholes, J. (1990). Soft systems methodology in action. Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Checkland, P. B. (1999). Systems thinking, systems practice. Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Edmond, B. (2001). The use of models-making MABS actually work. In S. Moss & P. Davidsson (Eds.), Multi-agent-based simulation, lecture notes in artificial intelligence 1979 (pp. 15–32). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Edvardsson, B., Gustafsson, A., & Roos, I. (2005). Service portraits in service research: A critical review. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 16(1), 107–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Fonseca, M. G. D., & Zeidan, R. M. (2004). Epistemological considerations on agent-based models in evolutionary consumer choice theory. Emergence: Complexity and Organization, 6(3), 4–8.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Forrester, J. W. (1961). Industrial dynamics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Galan, J. M., Izquierdo, L. R., Izquierdo, S. S., Santos, J. I., del Olmo, R., Lopez-Peredes, A., & Edmonds, B. (2009). Errors and artefacts in agent-based modeling. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 12(1), 1. http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/12/1/1.html.

  13. Grimm, V., Revilla, E., Berger, U., Jeltsch, F., Mooij, W. M., Railsback, S. F., Thulke, H.-H., Weiner, J., Wiegand, T., & DeAngelis, D. L. (2005). Pattern-oriented modeling of agent-based complex systems: Lessons from ecology. Science, 310, 987–991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Grönroos, C. (2008). Service logic revisited: Who creates value? And who co-creates? European Business Review, 20(4), 298–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Holbrook, M. B. (1999). Introduction to consumer value. In M. B. Holbrook (Ed.), Customer value. A framework for analysis and research (pp. 1–28). London: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  16. Lane, D. C., & Olivia, R. (1998). The greater whole: Towards a synthesis of system dynamics and soft systems methodology. European Journal of Operational Research, 107(1), 214–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Munro, I., & Mingers, J. (2002). The use of multimethodology in practice – Results of a survey of practitioners. The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 53(4), 369–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ng, I. C. L., Maull, R. S., & Smith, L. (2010). Embedding the new discipline of service science. University of Exeter Business School Discussion papers in Management, paper number 09/01 ISSN 1472–2939.

    Google Scholar 

  19. North, M. J., & Macal, C. M. (2007). Managing business complexity: Discovering strategic solutions with agent-based modeling and simulation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  20. Paucar-Caceres, A., & Rodriguez-Ulloa, R. (2007). An application of soft systems dynamics methodology (SSDM). Journal of the Operational Research Society, 58(6), 701–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ramirez, R. (1999). Value co-production: Intellectual origins and implications for practice and research. Strategic Management Journal, 20(1), 49–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Reynolds, C. W. (1999). Steering behaviors for autonomous characters. Paper presented at the Game Developers Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sölvell, Ö. (2009). Clusters–balancing evolutionary and constructive forces. Stockholm: Ivory Tower Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sanders, L. (Ed.). (2007). Models in spatial analysis, Geographical Information Systems series. London: ISTE.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Shannon, R. E. (1975). Systems simulation the art and science. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Tambunan, T. T. H. (2000). Development of small-scale industries during the new order government in Indonesia. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Tambunan, T. (2005). Promoting small and medium enterprises with a clustering approach: A policy experience from Indonesia. Journal of Small Business Management, 43(2), 138–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tayyab, M., et al. (2001). Five case studies applying soft system methodology to knowledge management.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2008). Service dominant logic: Continuing the evolution. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 36(1), 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Wageningen, U. R. (Ed.). (2008). Multi-stakeholder processes. Ghana, 2008. Wageningen: Wageningen University and Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Walker, B. H., Holling, C. S., Carpenter, S. R., & Kinzig, A. (2004). Resilience, adaptability and transformability in social–ecological systems. Ecology and Society, 9(2), 5. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss2/art5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Wilson, B. (1984). Systems: concepts, methodologies, and applications. Brisbane: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang, T. I. (2010). Agent-based systems design for virtual organisations formation. In: ICAART2010: Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on agents and artificial intelligence, Valencia, January 22–24, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

    Santi Novani & Lidia Mayangsari

Authors
  1. Santi Novani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lidia Mayangsari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Santi Novani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

    Utomo Sarjono Putro

  2. National Institute of Public Health, Wako, Saitama, Japan

    Manabu Ichikawa

  3. School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

    Manahan Siallagan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Novani, S., Mayangsari, L. (2017). Soft Systems Agent-Based Methodology: Multi-methods Approach Between Soft Systems Methodology and Agent-Based Modeling. In: Putro, U., Ichikawa, M., Siallagan, M. (eds) Agent-Based Approaches in Economics and Social Complex Systems IX. Agent-Based Social Systems, vol 15. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3662-0_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation