Topic of the Thesis: Developing simulation models of value chain actors using a hybrid of Material Flow Analysis and Agent-Based Modelling to identify ideal policies and interventions that yield circular, sustainable, regenerative, and resource efficient outcomes across complex value chains.
Abstract: The objective of this research project is to answer two key research questions: Why do actors within value chains make decisions that do not use resources in a more circular and efficient way? What are the optimal policies and interventions to influence more circular and efficient use of resources across the value chain? To answer the first question, the project will first use Material Flow Analysis to model a value chain and establish a comprehensive understanding of how resources are used and who are the various value chain actors involved. Next, the project will empirically research the various motivations and incentives that govern the decisions of these value chain actors. With these motivations and incentives identified, the project will develop a hybrid model using Agent-Based Modelling linked to the Material Flow Analysis model in order to simulate the entire value chain and develop a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process between different value chain actors and their use of resources throughout the value chain. To answer the second question, the project will create scenarios of policies and interventions and use the hybrid model to evaluate these scenarios' impacts on the decision-making process of value chain actors and their use of resources. From these results, the project will analyse which policies and interventions have the biggest influence on changing the motivations and incentives of value chain actors to use resources in a more circular and efficient way. In addition, the project will evaluate the points in the value chain and the motivations and incentives of specific value chain actors that have the strongest leverage to transform the value chain to more efficiently use resources. The outcomes of this research can help the value chain actors and relevant stakeholders such as regional and local governments better understand the types of policies and interventions that have the greatest impact on influencing market behaviour and business decisions to achieve resource efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy goals. The approach taken in this project can potentially be replicated to any number of complex value chains to enable the transition to a more circular and efficient use of resources.
Research Interests: Agent Based Models, Circular Economy, Material Flow Analysis, Industrial Ecology, Systems Thinking, Network Theory.
Graduated from: Northwestern University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Degrees obtained: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences, Master of Science in Industrial Ecology.
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