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Analysis of Food Hub Commerce and Participation Using Agent-Based Modeling: Integrating Financial and Social Drivers.
- Source :
-
Human factors [Hum Factors] 2016 Feb; Vol. 58 (1), pp. 58-79. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Dec 30. - Publication Year :
- 2016
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Abstract
- Objective: Factors influencing long-term viability of an intermediated regional food supply network (food hub) were modeled using agent-based modeling techniques informed by interview data gathered from food hub participants.<br />Background: Previous analyses of food hub dynamics focused primarily on financial drivers rather than social factors and have not used mathematical models.<br />Method: Based on qualitative and quantitative data gathered from 22 customers and 11 vendors at a midwestern food hub, an agent-based model (ABM) was created with distinct consumer personas characterizing the range of consumer priorities. A comparison study determined if the ABM behaved differently than a model based on traditional economic assumptions. Further simulation studies assessed the effect of changes in parameters, such as producer reliability and the consumer profiles, on long-term food hub sustainability.<br />Results: The persona-based ABM model produced different and more resilient results than the more traditional way of modeling consumers. Reduced producer reliability significantly reduced trade; in some instances, a modest reduction in reliability threatened the sustainability of the system. Finally, a modest increase in price-driven consumers at the outset of the simulation quickly resulted in those consumers becoming a majority of the overall customer base.<br />Conclusion: Results suggest that social factors, such as desire to support the community, can be more important than financial factors.<br />Application: An ABM of food hub dynamics, based on human factors data gathered from the field, can be a useful tool for policy decisions. Similar approaches can be used for modeling customer dynamics with other sustainable organizations.<br /> (© 2015, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1547-8181
- Volume :
- 58
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Human factors
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26719449
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720815621173