Abstraction and Modelling of Agri-Food Chains as Complex Decision Making Systems

Bryceson, K. P. and Smith, C. S. (2008). Abstraction and Modelling of Agri-Food Chains as Complex Decision Making Systems. In: Melanie Fritz, Ursula Rickert and Gerhard Schiefer, EAAA Series on Systems Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks. European Association of Agricultural Economists110th Seminar, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria, (147-159). 18-22 February 2008.

Author Bryceson, K. P.
Smith, C. S.
Title of paper Abstraction and Modelling of Agri-Food Chains as Complex Decision Making Systems
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name European Association of Agricultural Economists110th Seminar
Conference location Innsbruck-Igls, Austria
Conference dates 18-22 February 2008
Proceedings title EAAA Series on Systems Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks
Editor Melanie Fritz
Ursula Rickert
Gerhard Schiefer
Publication date 2008
Volume number 2
ISBN 978-3-932887-96-3
Start page 147
End page 159
Total pages 13
Language eng
Abstract/Summary Agri-food chains are complex systems involving multiple multifaceted firms usually working together within specific industry sectors (e.g. grains, beef, wool, dairy) to satisfy an increasingly globalised market demand for high value food products. In so doing, the groupings of companies involved in an agri-food chain undertake activities that require multidimensional inter-organisational and cross organisational decision-making in the process of adding value to a raw commodity product through the production, manufacturing and distribution stages of the chain. Additional complexity is added by climate variability which impacts randomly and unpredictably on decision making in every component of the chain. The work outlined in this paper is a pilot investigation looking at a number of approaches to conceptualising and modelling an agri-food chain and its related decision making processes to better evaluate the impact and effects of that decision making and associated information flows across the components of the agri-food chains. The modelling approaches were (i) a multimedia model initially explored as an opportunity to visualise supply and value chain issues for educational purposes; (ii) an agent based model (ABM) using deterministic rules to architecturally synthesise a supply chain, and (iii) a baysian belief network (BBN) which we discuss as an approach for looking at the likelihood of certain decisions being made under certain scenarios.
Subjects 080110 Simulation and Modelling
150309 Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Q-Index Code EX

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collection: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
 
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Created: Tue, 23 Feb 2010, 16:05:08 EST by Laura McTaggart on behalf of School of Integrative Systems