H. Deguchi - Böcker

Social sciences are moving to the next stage. One ofthe promising methodologies is agent-based computer simulation. In a series ofworkshops on Agent-Based Ap- proaches in Economic and Social Complex Systems (AESCS), ground-breaking studies of complex economic and social phenomena using computational approaches are being presented and discussed. This volume contains papers selected from pre- sentations at the AESCS '02 held at the University ofTokyo, Japan, on August 16, 2002. The workshop was the second in a series ofPacific Rim activities in interdis- ciplinary areas of social and computational sciences, the first workshop having been held in Shimane, Japan, May 21-22, 2001. The objective of AESCS workshops is to promote worldwide multidisciplinary activities in multiagent computational economics, organizational science, social dynamics, and complex systems. AESCS brings together researchers and practitio- ners from diverse fields, such as computer science, economics, physics, sociology, psychology, and complex theory, in order to understand emergent and collective phenomena in economic, organizational, and social systems.AESCS also provides an opportunity for discussion ofthe effectiveness and limitations ofcomputational models and methodologies for the social sciences. The second AESCS workshop focused on the importance ofcumulative progress in agent-based simulation in the social sciences through discussions ofcommon tasks, standard computational models, replication and validation issues, and evalu- ation and verification criteria for the results.

In agent-based modeling the focus is very much on agent-based simulation, as simulation is a very important tool for agent-based modeling. We also use agent-based simulation in this book with a stress on the mathematical foundation of agent-based modeling. We introduce two original mathematical frameworks, a theory of SLD (Social Learning Dynamics) and an axiomatic theory of economic exchange (Exchange Algebra) among agents. Exchange algebra gives bottom-up reconstruction of SNA (System of National Accountings). SLD provides the concept of indirect control of socio-economic systems to manage structural change and its stability. We also compare agent-based simulation with gaming simulation and investigate the epistemological foundation of agent-based modeling.

This collection of excellent papers cultivates a new perspective on agent-based social system sciences, gaming simulation, and their hybridization. Most of the papers included here were presented in the special session titled Agent-Based Modeling Meets Gaming Simulation at ISAGA2003, the 34th annual conference of the International Simulation and Gaming Association (ISAGA) at Kazusa Akademia Park in Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan, August 25–29, 2003. This post-proceedings was supported by the twenty-?rst century COE (Centers of Excellence) program Creation of Agent-Based Social Systems Sciences (ABSSS), established at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2004. The present volume comprises papers submitted to the special session of ISAGA2003 and provides a good example of the diverse scope and standard of research achieved in simulation and gaming today. The theme of the special session at ISAGA2003 was Agent-Based Modeling Meets Gaming Simulation. Nowadays, agent-based simulation is becoming very popular for modeling and solving complex social phenomena. It is also used to arrive at practical solutions to social problems. At the same time, however, the validity of simulation does not exist in the magni?cence of the model. R. Axelrod stresses the simplicity of the agent-based simulation model through the “Keep it simple, stupid” (KISS) principle: As an ideal, simple modeling is essential.

In agent-based modeling the focus is very much on agent-based simulation, as simulation is a very important tool for agent-based modeling. We also use agent-based simulation in this book with a stress on the mathematical foundation of agent-based modeling. We introduce two original mathematical frameworks, a theory of SLD (Social Learning Dynamics) and an axiomatic theory of economic exchange (Exchange Algebra) among agents. Exchange algebra gives bottom-up reconstruction of SNA (System of National Accountings). SLD provides the concept of indirect control of socio-economic systems to manage structural change and its stability. We also compare agent-based simulation with gaming simulation and investigate the epistemological foundation of agent-based modeling.

Social sciences are moving to the next stage. One ofthe promising methodologies is agent-based computer simulation. In a series ofworkshops on Agent-Based Ap- proaches in Economic and Social Complex Systems (AESCS), ground-breaking studies of complex economic and social phenomena using computational approaches are being presented and discussed. This volume contains papers selected from pre- sentations at the AESCS '02 held at the University ofTokyo, Japan, on August 16, 2002. The workshop was the second in a series ofPacific Rim activities in interdis- ciplinary areas of social and computational sciences, the first workshop having been held in Shimane, Japan, May 21-22, 2001. The objective of AESCS workshops is to promote worldwide multidisciplinary activities in multiagent computational economics, organizational science, social dynamics, and complex systems. AESCS brings together researchers and practitio- ners from diverse fields, such as computer science, economics, physics, sociology, psychology, and complex theory, in order to understand emergent and collective phenomena in economic, organizational, and social systems.AESCS also provides an opportunity for discussion ofthe effectiveness and limitations ofcomputational models and methodologies for the social sciences. The second AESCS workshop focused on the importance ofcumulative progress in agent-based simulation in the social sciences through discussions ofcommon tasks, standard computational models, replication and validation issues, and evalu- ation and verification criteria for the results.

Agent-Based Modeling/Simulation (ABM/ABS) is an emerging field that enables bottom-up and experimental analysis in social sciences such as economics, management, sociology and politics. The chapters of this book are the selected papers from those presented the Third International Workshop on Agent-Based Approaches in Economic and Social Complex Systems held in Tokyo, Japan in 2005. Articles in this book covers methodological issues, computational model/software, combination with gaming simulation, and real-world applications to economic, management/organizational and social issues.