Simulation of economic processes becomes a method that allows you to design samples that describe processes in such a way as if they were functioning in reality. Using them, it is possible to obtain stable and reliable statistics. Based on these data, you can choose the optimal path of development of the organization.
The simulation method is a research method in which a particular system will be replaced by one that has sufficient accuracy when describing a real one. Experiments should be conducted with her in order to obtain reliable information. Such a procedure will allow us to comprehend the essence of the phenomenon, without resorting in this case to real changes in the object until the required time.
Simulation of business processes is a special case of mathematical modeling. The fact is that there is a class of objects for which analytical models have not been developed for various reasons. Or for them there is no system of methods for applying an innovative solution. In such cases, a simulation of economic processes is used.
They resort to it in cases where:
- expensive to experiment with a real object;
- You cannot build an analytical model for various reasons;
- it is necessary to obtain a result and evaluate its "behavior" taking into account the time frame.
Simulation of economic processes has several types. Let's consider them in more detail.
Agent-based modeling is an innovative direction that is widely used to explore decentralized systems. The dynamics of their functioning is determined not so much by global laws and regulations, but, on the contrary, these principles are the result of the individual activities of members of this group.
Therefore, in this case, the goal and objectives of the models are to obtain ideas about these fundamental principles, the behavior of the selected system. But it will be necessary to proceed from assumptions about the individual, particular behavior of its individual objects, as well as their relationships in systems.
An agent becomes a special entity that has activity and autonomy in behavior, is able to make and apply decisions in accordance with a set of specific rules, interact with the existing environment, and also independently change itself.
Discrete event modeling is a modeling approach that offers to abstract from existing events, considering a number of main events in the system. We are talking about “waiting,” “order processing,” “moving with cargo,” “unloading,” and so on. Such modeling is very well developed and has a huge scope of application - from logistics, as well as service systems to production and transport systems. In general, the method can be ideally suited in any situation; was founded by J. Gordon in the mid-twentieth century.
System dynamics is a simulation of economic processes, when graphs, charts, and calculations will be built for the object under study that reflect causal relationships and the global influence of some criteria on others in a certain period of time. Further, the system created on their basis is simulated on a computer. Thanks to this, there is a real opportunity to realize the essence of what is happening and to reveal the existing connections of cause and effect between phenomena and objects. System dynamics helps to build models for the development of cities, business processes, production systems, the development of ecology, populations, epidemics, and so on.