Computational Models of Human Organization Dynamics, Quarterly Status Report #1

During this project period we have made significant progress on the design of the ACCORD organizational dynamics simulation software. We have exploited research conducted that has produced a Generative Theory of Social Dynamics (GTSD). This theory, in its ultimate algebraic form, provides a mathemat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Courand, Gregg, Fahling, Michael
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ACCORD COMPUTER PROGRAM
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
GROUP DYNAMICS
INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
ORGANIZATION THEORY
PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
Psychology
ROLES(BEHAVIOR)
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Summary:During this project period we have made significant progress on the design of the ACCORD organizational dynamics simulation software. We have exploited research conducted that has produced a Generative Theory of Social Dynamics (GTSD). This theory, in its ultimate algebraic form, provides a mathematically rigorous statement of the concepts and relationships embodied in ACCORD. GTSD also provides a foundation for the methodology, called Practice Mapping, which provides a structured set of steps to undertake in the life cycle of a modeling effort. By life cycle we mean that simulation studies occur within the larger program of gathering data on organizational practices (e.g., through participant observation, interviews, and other field observation methods), then implementing a computational model of the organization's practices, and then carrying out experiments with this ACCORD model. These experiments are expected to lead back to the organization's practices in the form of additional mapping studies as well as interventions to improve practices; thereby completing a cycle. In keeping with this life cycle view of simulation methodology, we have begun design and development of several adjunct computational tools that support such activities as archiving structural descriptions of organizational practices, obtained through Practice Mapping. We are also developing computational tools to support model implementation; transforming the descriptions of an organization obtained from Practice Mapping into an executable ACCORD model. We have a nearly complete formulation of the specifications and requirements for ACCORD's simulation engine, a preemptive, prioritizing scheduler and interpreter for executing an ACCORD model as a kind of discrete event simulation. Finally, we have begun design of a suite of tools to be used to craft and carry out experiments using an ACCORD mo