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Modelling and simulation in business and industry: Insights into the processes and practices of expert modellers

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stewart RobinsonORCiD

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Abstract

The simulation modelling process and individual practices of simulation modellers impact on the outcome of simulation studies. Despite this, the modelling and simulation literature lacks a rich body of evidence on the actual process and practices of modellers in the real world. This qualitative study aims to address this shortcoming by attempting to discover the underlying simulation modelling process of 20 expert modellers working within their typical contexts. Our study makes a valuable addition to simulation research by investigating how the expert modellers develop their simulation models and how their context may affect their simulation practices. The main finding is that most of the participants do not have a clearly defined or a formal process for developing their models. Instead, they follow a set of key steps and their individual practices depend on the context of the study. A number of contextual factors such as the term of model use, the size of the model and the complexity of the model, may affect the way in which a modeller goes about developing a simulation model. For instance, the extent to which a model is documented depends on the model life. This research contributes to enhancing our understanding of the simulation modelling process in varying contexts. © 2014 Operational Research Society Ltd.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Ahmed R, Robinson S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of the Operational Research Society

Year: 2014

Volume: 65

Issue: 5

Pages: 660-672

Print publication date: 01/05/2014

Online publication date: 21/12/2017

Acceptance date: 01/11/2012

ISSN (print): 0160-5682

ISSN (electronic): 1476-9360

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1057/jors.2012.177

DOI: 10.1057/jors.2012.177


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