Title: The system dynamics simulation of the expansion of the Panama Canal

Authors: Humberto R. Alvarez A., Dario Solis, Arnoldo R. Cano S., Luis Rabelo, Serge Sala-Diakanda

Addresses: College of Industrial Engineering, Technological University of Panama, P.O. Box 0819–070289, Panama, Panama. ' Office of the Vice-president for Research and Development, Technological University of Panama, P.O. Box 0819–070289, Panama, Panama. ' Panama Canal Master Plan Coordinating Team, Panama Canal Authority, Building 632, 2nd floor, Balboa, Panama. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, 32816, USA. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, 32816, USA

Abstract: The expansion of the Panama Canal could be the largest project attempted by the Republic of Panama in its 100 years of existence. The objective of this simulation study is to use the Canal Expansion Project to develop and demonstrate how more precise and applied concepts that involve complex decision-making processes can be used in a large |system of systems|. It is an attempt to explain the decision-making processes for complex systems and develop a model that will help with the political, social and economic decision-making processes that are involved in this very large project. The challenges that are involved in this research initiative include developing the parametric expressions that explain the dynamical intricacies and validation of the expansion project.

Keywords: system dynamics; policy development; complex systems; Panama Canal expansion; simulation; system of systems; decision making.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2009.022842

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2009 Vol.9 No.1, pp.17 - 28

Published online: 30 Jan 2009 *

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