Article on the application of the Volterra-Lotka model to managing competition in the marketplace. Provides insights into a set of elementary marketing actions that has emerged that provide guidance when searching for a commercial image or an effective advertising message. Download the piece here. (PDF)

In just a few minutes, you’ll learn what you need to know about Simulation Science, also referred to as Operational Research (O.R.). It is a brochure written for busy executives by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. Download the piece here (PDF).

Complexity theory is at the forefront of science and math. It is being used to map biological events and forecast earthquakes. Can it be useful in manufacturing? The answer is yes, but… Download the piece here (PDF).

This is work that Justin Lyon did during his MIT studies in 2001. It is a highly simplified example of the development of a strategic simulation architecture of the growth of terrorists in Afghanistan. Download the piece here (.DOC).

This paper presents eight interrelated perspectives for examining a complex issue or problem and for inferring potential evolutionary tendencies or behavior based upon the structural characteristics of the system under study. Experience suggests these perspectives may be useful not only in dealing with qualitative system models, but also in validating and troubleshooting quantitative models. Download piece from Jay Forrest’s website. (Offsite links)

Inspiration for the next Coca-Cola or Unilever marketing campaign might come from a computer game that looks an awful lot like The Sims. Written by Allison Fass in the November 2005 issues of Forbes. Download the piece here (URL).

This article discusses General Motors’ North American Enterprise Model, a system dynamics model of the entire North American automobile market. The Enterprise Model takes a broad look across the corporation and its marketplace, combining internal activities such as engineering, manufacturing and marketing with external factors such as competition for consumer purchases in the new and used vehicle marketplaces. Download the piece here (PDF).

Proctor & Gamble used simulations that pointed the way to a supply chain restructuring that would consolidate P&G’s North American plants by 20% and lower supply chain costs by $200 million a year. This article provides a great overview of how they structure their Global Analytics practice. See the full article here (off-site link).