Modelling human network behaviour using simulation and optimization tools

The inclusion of stakeholder behaviour in Operations Research / Industrial Engineering (OR/IE) models has gained much attention in recent years. Behavioural and cognitive traits of people and groups have been integrated in simulation models (mainly through agent-based approaches) as well as in optim...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Gruler, Aljoscha|||0000-0003-0510-117X, Armas Adrián, Jésica de|||0000-0002-7619-7407, Juan, Ángel A.|||0000-0003-1392-1776, Goldsman, David|||0000-0001-9033-8475
Format: article
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:218267
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/218267
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.2436/20.8080.02.85
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Modelling human behaviour
Human networks
Simulation
Optimization
Simheuristics
Description
Summary:The inclusion of stakeholder behaviour in Operations Research / Industrial Engineering (OR/IE) models has gained much attention in recent years. Behavioural and cognitive traits of people and groups have been integrated in simulation models (mainly through agent-based approaches) as well as in optimization algorithms. However, especially the influence of relations between different actors in human networks is a broad and interdisciplinary topic that has not yet been fully investigated. This paper analyses, from an OR/IE point of view, the existing literature on behaviour-related factors in human networks. This review covers different application fields, including: supply chain management, public policies in emergency situations, and Internet-based human networks. The review reveals that the methodological approach of choice (either simulation or optimization) is highly dependent on the application area. However, an integrated approach combining simulation and optimization is rarely used. Thus, the paper proposes the hybridization of simulation with optimization as one of the best strategies to incorporate human behaviour in human networks and the resulting uncertainty, randomness, and dynamism in related OR/IE models.