Title: Modelling and simulation in complex system governance

Authors: Polinpapilinho F. Katina; Andreas Tolk; Charles B. Keating; Keith F. Joiner

Addresses: Informatics and Engineering Systems, University of South Carolina Upstate, 800 University Way, Media Bldg., 211, Spartanburg, SC 29303, USA ORCID: 0000-0002-2213-4929 ' The MITRE Corporation, 903 Enterprise Pkwy Ste 200, Hampton, VA 23666, USA ORCID: 0000-0002-4201-8757 ' Department of Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, National Centers for System of Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 2101 Engineering Systems Bldg., Norfolk, VA 23529, USA ' Capability Systems Centre, University of New South Wales – Canberra, NSW University College at Australian Defence Academy, Building 21, Room 363, Canberra BC 2610, Australia ORCID: 0000-0001-6081-3239

Abstract: Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field, representing an approach to improve system performance through purposeful design, execution, and evolution of essential metasystem functions. The aim of this study was twofold: i) to understand how modelling and simulation (M&S) can be used to enhance the emerging field of CSG; ii) to evaluate different MS&S paradigms for their compatibility with CSG. An extensive review of literature is used to define current trends in M&S. Results indicate the existence of a variety of models, methods, tools (including software) and techniques for modelling and simulating different aspects of phenomena mainly driven by tool capability and goals of the system in question. We propose a need for the development of a hybrid model grounded on three paradigms of M&S: agent-based, discrete-event, and system dynamics. Such a model is in keeping with the goals of CSG and its required capabilities amid increasing complexity.

Keywords: agent-based simulation; CSG; complex system governance; critical infrastructures; discrete event simulation; modelling and simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2020.109739

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2020 Vol.10 No.3, pp.262 - 292

Received: 10 Mar 2020
Accepted: 15 Apr 2020
Published online: 21 Sep 2020 *

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