A Common Protocol for Agent-Based Social Simulation

Traditional (i.e. analytical) modelling practices in the social sciences rely on a very well established, although implicit, methodological protocol, both with respect to the way models are presented and to the kinds of analysis that are performed. Unfortunately, computer-simulated models often lack such a reference to an accepted methodological standard. This is one of the main reasons for the scepticism among mainstream social scientists that results in low acceptance of papers with agent-based methodology in the top journals. We identify some methodological pitfalls that, according to us, are common in papers employing agent-based simulations, and propose appropriate solutions. We discuss each issue with reference to a general characterization of dynamic micro models, which encompasses both analytical and simulation models. In the way, we also clarify some confusing terminology. We then propose a three-stage process that could lead to the establishment of methodological standards in social and economic simulations.Agent-based, simulations, methodology, calibration, validation.

A Common Protocol for Agent-Based Social Simulation

Traditional (i.e. analytical) modelling practices in the social sciences rely on a very well established, although implicit, methodological protocol, both with respect to the way models are presented and to the kinds of analysis that are performed. Unfortunately, computer-simulated models often lack such a reference to an accepted methodological standard. This is one of the main reasons for the scepticism among mainstream social scientists that results in low acceptance of papers with agent-based methodology in the top journals. We identify some methodological pitfalls that, according to us, are common in papers employing agent-based simulations, and propose appropriate solutions. We discuss each issue with reference to a general characterization of dynamic micro models, which encompasses both analytical and simulation models. In the way, we also clarify some confusing terminology. We then propose a three-stage process that could lead to the establishment of methodological standards in social and economic simulations.Agent-Based, Simulations, Methodology, Calibration, Validation, Sensitivity Analysis

Systemische Organisationsberatung oder Organisationsentwicklung: haben Differenzen in den theoretischen Ansätzen praktische Folgen für die Mobbingberatung?

'Der systemischen Organisationsberatung ist es im Laufe des letzten Jahrzehnts gelungen, sich im deutschen Sprachraum semantisch als neuer Typus der Organisationsberatung zu etablieren. Doch unterscheidet sich auch ihre Beratungspraxis von derjenigen des Organisationsberatungsansatzes, von dem sie sich abgrenzen will? Die hier vorgelegte vergleichende empirische Studie zeigt auf der Basis von qualitativen Interviews mit Organisationsberatern und -beraterinnen, die Behörden und Unternehmen in Mobbingfällen beraten, dass in der Beratungspraxis die Realtypen Mediation, Coaching und Organisationsentwicklung zum Einsatz kommen. Es finden sich Hinweise darauf, dass systemische Organisationsberaterinnen eher mit der gesamten Organisation arbeiten, während sich die Mobbingberaterinnen, die sich dem Organisationsentwicklungsansatz zurechnen, eher auf Individuen konzentrieren.' (Autorenreferat)'During the last decade, systemic professional services ('systemische Organisationsberatung') have succeeded in establishing themselves in the German-language area as a novel type of counseling for organizations. But does their counseling practice really differ from what if offered by the organization development approach from which they seek to delimit themselves? A comparative empirical study based on qualitative interviews with practitioners of systemic professional services who provide mobbing counseling for administrations and enterprises shows that in the practice of counseling, real-type mediation, coaching and organization development is being implemented. Findings suggest that practitioners of systemic professional services are more likely to engage the entire organization in the counseling process whereas mobbing counselors who adhere to the organization development approach tend to focus on individuals.' (author's abstract

The Large Group Interaction Method Open Space Technology. Introduction of Market Mechanism into Organizations

Aus den USA kommend, wird zunehmend auch in Deutschland das Großgruppenverfahren Open Space (Owen 1997) als Methode im Rahmen von langfristigen Prozessen organisationalen Wandels eingesetzt. Open Space ist eine Methode der Organisationsentwicklung, bei der mehr als 30 Personen (häufig mehrere hundert) für die Dauer von drei Tagen hauptsächlich oder immer wieder in einem Raum versammelt sind und sich auf eine gemeinsame Aufgabe konzentrieren. Der vorliegende Aufsatz stellt zunächst das Konzept von Open Space und seine Anwendungspraxis vor. Anschließend konzentriert er sich auf die sozialtheoretische Fundierung dieses Verfahrens: Unter Rückgriff auf Hayek wird die These vertreten, dass das Konzept von Open Space auf der sozialen Koordinationsform des Marktes beruht, die in eine Organisation eingeführt wird, und in dessen Mittelpunkt die Generierung von Wissen steht. Aus dem Transaktionskostenansatz (Williamson) werden Thesen über die Voraussetzungen und die Grenzen für den Einsatz des Open Space-Verfahrens abgeleitet.Open Space Technology (OST) is a more and more often used large-group interaction method in the planning and implementation of major change effects. However, our knowledge about the theoretical foundations of OST is quite unsatisfactory. It is the intention of this article to illuminate the theoretical foundations of OST from a sociological point of view. We put forward three hypotheses: (1) Relying on Hayek we state that OST is a method which introduces the social coordination mechanism of the market into an organization in the center of which is the generation of knowledge. We derive the preconditions and limitations of the use of OST from Williamson's transaction cost economics: (2) OST is to be recommended if otherwise hierarchical failure due to uncertainty and market power or market power and long decision processes would result. (3) OST is no longer the most efficient method if certainty or market power prevail or if opportunism is a problem

Analytical Investigation of Innovation Dynamics Considering Stochasticity in the Evaluation of Fitness

We investigate a selection-mutation model for the dynamics of technological innovation,a special case of reaction-diffusion equations. Although mutations are assumed to increase the variety of technologies, not their average success ("fitness"), they are an essential prerequisite for innovation. Together with a selection of above-average technologies due to imitation behavior, they are the "driving force" for the continuous increase in fitness. We will give analytical solutions for the probability distribution of technologies for special cases and in the limit of large times. The selection dynamics is modelled by a "proportional imitation" of better technologies. However, the assessment of a technology's fitness may be imperfect and, therefore, vary stochastically. We will derive conditions, under which wrong assessment of fitness can accelerate the innovation dynamics, as it has been found in some surprising numerical investigations.Comment: For related work see http://www.helbing.or

Development and Application of the Owner-Bird Relationship Scale (OBRS) to Assess the Relation of Humans to Their Pet Birds

Only a few birds besides domestic pigeons and poultry can be described as domesticated. Therefore, keeping a pet bird can be challenging, and the human-avian relationship will have a major influence on the quality of this cohabitation. Studies that focus on characterizing the owner-bird relationship generally use adapted cat/dog scales which may not identify its specific features. Following a sociological approach, a concept of human-animal relationship was developed leading to three types of human-animal relationship (impersonal, personal, and close personal). This concept was used to develop a 21-item owner-bird-relationship scale (OBRS). This scale was applied to measure the relationship between pet bird owners (or keepers) (n = 1,444) and their birds in an online survey performed in Germany. Factor analysis revealed that the relationship between owner and bird consisted of four dimensions: the tendency of the owner to anthropomorphize the bird;the social support the bird provides for the owner;the empathy, attentiveness, and respect of the owner toward the bird;and the relationship of the bird toward the owner. More than one quarter of the German bird owners of this sample showed an impersonal, half a personal, and less than a quarter a close personal relationship to their bird. The relationship varied with the socio-demographic characteristics of the owners, such as gender, marital status, and education. This scale supports more comprehensive quantitative research into the human-bird relationship in the broad field of human-animal studies including the psychology and sociology of animals as well as animal welfare and veterinary medicine

Social dilemmas and cooperation

Social dilemmas (sometimes referred to as “problems of collective action”, “tragedy of the commons”, or “public goods problems”) are situations with strategically interdependent actors such that individually rational behavior leads to an outcome that is less desirable for each actor than had they cooperated. In this chapter, we provide an overview of models of social dilemmas and cooperation in social dilemmas that use game-theoretic tools. We first review examples of social dilemmas and formal modeling of such dilemmas. We distinguish between dilemmas that involve two actors and those that can involve more than two actors. We also discuss why the conceptualization of “social dilemma” is “theory dependent”. Second, we review mechanisms that can induce cooperation in social dilemmas. Cooperation of rational actors in a social dilemma requires that the dilemma is “embedded” in a more complex game. We discuss models for different types of embeddedness. The chapter likewise includes a sketch of models of cooperation based on social preferences and of simulation studies as an alternative to game-theoretic analysis

Social networks

Social networks affect individual behavior as well as social phenomena. Conversely, when actors can choose with whom to interact, social networks are also themselves affected by individual behavior. This chapter provides an overview of two main classes of formal theoretical models for the analysis of network effects and network formation, namely, game-theoretic models and agent-based simulation models. We first discuss models in which networks are assumed to be exogenous and focus on network effects. More specifically, we focus on models predicting effects of social networks on behavior in social dilemmas. Second, we summarize main approaches to network formation and the dynamics of networks. Third, we review models on the co-evolution of networks and behavior that provide an integrated analysis of network formation and network effects, again focusing on social dilemma problems. The chapter ends with an evaluation of the state of the art of theoretical models for social networks, including open problems and suggestions for future research