System Dynamics

Abstract

This book is divided into two parts. The first part of the book presents, in a very simple way and starting with the fundamental principles, how complex interactions among the interacting forces can be modelled by capturing their cause–effect interrelations through dynamic models, how the models can be simulated and evaluated to depict reality and how policy interventions can be tested for testing their viability. Although the material covered in this part of the book is not new, the examples supporting the theoretical nuances of the subject covering population growth, grain storage, food security, commodity production, food relief, crop live- stock, shrimp farming, crop irrigation and pollution are very interesting and appealing. In the second part of the book, the authors discuss case studies related to the areas of agriculture, aquaculture and environment in Bangladesh and Malaysia. Both hilsa fish and rice are important for the economy of Bangladesh, just as food security and cocoa production for Malaysia. The case study for solid waste man- agement is well chosen as it is a perennial problem in third-world countries. This part of the book is illustrative of the power of system dynamics methodology as to how it can address many complex issues of today very easily. I believe that a newcomer to the field of system dynamics will find the book extremely useful and will be highly motivated to use system dynamics and systems thinking in understanding and addressing the issues that arise out of the behaviour of systems that are integral part of their lives