Agri-food supply chains (ASC) are an important application domain for Operational Research/Management Science. In particular, the use of agent-based simulation (ABS) has increased in ASC research in recent years. This paper reviews existing ASC research that use ABS. The review begins by analysing the characteristics of the models and modelling reported in the literature. It illustrates that existing modelling research features extensive use of: single echelon supply chains; cases from high and middle income countries; unprocessed food products, empirical (as opposed to hypothetical) data; decision-making related to production planning and investment; and the use of black box validation. The second part of the review uses bibliographic mapping to analyse areas in ASC research which are yet to be addressed using ABS. We find that areas such as collaboration and competition, buyer-seller relationships, and service are underresearched. In addition, key actors in ASC such as food processors, supermarkets and retailers have not been included in the ABS models reported. Furthermore, these models have yet to incorporate important supply chain management theories such as Transaction Cost Economics and Resource-Based View as part of their design.
A scenario-based questionnaire is a survey method that aims to identify the respondents' decision rules using their responses to a series of scenarios. It is rarely used in agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) with most researchers preferring a survey with closed questions as the data collection method. This is particularly true for ABMS studies in agri-food supply chains. In our paper, we design a scenario-based questionnaire to elicit the behaviour of agents in ABMS and apply it in a dairy supply chain case. Our findings suggest that respondents respond well to a scenario-based questionnaire as it relates more closely to their actual decision-making process. Furthermore, our experiment shows that the decision rules extracted using a scenario-based questionnaire improve ABMS validity.
The purpose of this paper is mainly to understand the behavior of domestic beef production through estimating the dynamics of domestic cattle population. Agent based model (ABM) approach and its simulation is employed in this study. The main reason to use this approach is on its capability to accommodate the complexity given existing characteristics in cattle and beef production system. Based on the findings, agent-based model approach performs well in explaining the emergent behavior for agricultural production system, especially cattle production system. Several important implications have also been drawn from this study. Therefore, this study has generated several new insights that will be advantages for further studies. Keyword: beef cattle, population dynamics, agent based model, simulation.
PENGGUNAAN SIMULASI BERBASIS AGEN UNTUK MEMAHAMI PRILAKU PRODUKSI SAPI POTONGKajian ini bertujuan untuk memahami perilaku produksi daging sapi di Indonesia yang diperoleh berdasarkan estimasi dinamika populasi sapi potong lokal. Model berbasis agen (agent-based model) dan simulasinya digunakan sebagai pendekatan utama dalam memperkirakan dinamika populasi tersebut. Penggunaan model ini didasarkan atas kemampuannya untuk mengakomodasi kompleksitas karakter produksi sapi potong dan daging sapi yang terdapat pada saat ini. Berdasarkan hasil kajian, pendekatan model berbasis agen dapat dengan baik menggambarkan dan menerangkan perilaku sistem produksi sapi potong sesuai dengan kondisi aktualnya. Beberapa faktor penting di dalam sistem produksi dan implikasinya terhadap kebijakan pengembangan usaha sapi potong dapat dihasilkan melalui model ini dan simulasinya.Kata kunci: daging sapi, sapi potong, dinamika populasi, model berbasis agen, simulasi.
This research proposes a conceptual model of a smart supply chain for the rice industry. While the smart supply chain concept has started to establish in the manufacturing sector, its development and application in the agricultural sector are lacking. This research employs Soft System Methodology combined with the Value Co-Creation approach to guide focus group discussion and elicit root problems and ideas from real actors in Indramayu District. The proposed conceptual model takes into account actors starting from the upstream to the downstream of the rice supply chain. Since it is developed based on real situations, it is highly relevant for supporting the local policymakers to address problems, such as lack of integration, unclear division of role, and lack of competitiveness within this supply chain. Applications beyond this case study might be beneficial for maintaining national food security.
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