Computational Intelligence as a Platform for a Data Collection Methodology in Management Science

Abstract

With an increased focus in management science on how to collect data close to the real world of managers, we consider how agent-based simulations have interesting prospects that are usable for the design of business applications aimed at the collection of data. As an example of a new generation of data collection methodologies, this chapter discusses and presents a behavioral simulation founded in the agent-based simulation life cycle and supported by Web technology. With agent-based modeling the complexity of the method can be increased without limiting the research as a result of limited technological support. This makes it possible to exploit the advantages of a questionnaire, an experimental design, a role-play and a scenario, gaining the synergy of a combination of these methodologies. At the end of the chapter an example of a simulation is presented for researchers and practitioners to study. 1