Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of agent-based modeling as an alternative method for public administration research. It is focused on encouraging public administration scholars to come to better understanding of the method.

Design/methodology/approach

This article performed a comprehensive review of methodological issues relative to agent-based modeling.

Findings

After reviewing the current research themes in public administration and the methodological nature of agent-based modeling, we found that agent-based modeling can help researchers to advance theories by means of sophisticated thought experiment which is not possible by formal modeling and verbal reasoning. We also pointed out that agent-based modeling does not substitute empirical research, but can add much value through being part of a mixed-method and multidisciplinary research.

Practical implications

We suggested that interested researchers may need to take a strategic approach in developing and describing a pertinent model and reporting its results.

Originality/value

Agent-based modeling has rarely been used in public administration research. The article provides an introductory overview for researchers not familiar with ABM and suggests to the academic community future venues that would unfold from agent-based modeling.

中文翻译：

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在公共行政研究中通过基于代理的建模建立理论：证据和局限性

目的

本文的目的是概述基于代理的建模作为公共行政研究的替代方法。它的重点是鼓励公共行政学者更好地理解该方法。

设计/方法/方法

本文对与基于代理的建模相关的方法论问题进行了全面审查。

发现

在回顾了当前公共管理领域的研究主题和基于代理的建模的方法论性质后，我们发现基于代理的建模可以帮助研究人员通过复杂的思想实验来推进理论，这是形式建模和口头推理无法实现的。我们还指出，基于代理的建模不能替代实证研究，但可以通过成为混合方法和多学科研究的一部分来增加很多价值。

实际影响

我们建议感兴趣的研究人员可能需要采取战略方法来开发和描述相关模型并报告其结果。

原创性/价值

基于代理的建模很少用于公共管理研究。这篇文章为不熟悉 ABM 的研究人员提供了介绍性概述，并向学术界提出了从基于代理的建模中展开的未来场所的建议。