Applications of agent-based models for green development: a systematic review

Green development is well-received as an important trend in current world development. It needs to consider characteristics of heterogeneity, interactivity, adaptability, and emergence as per complex adaptive systems. Agent-based Modeling (ABM) can take into account the heterogeneity of system elements, adaptability of subject behavior, and environment’s dynamic evolution characteristics, which help analyzing complex, dynamic, and nonlinear green development problems. Hence, this paper intends to systemically review the research literature on the ABM method for green development. The review found many new advantages and some shortcomings when using the ABM method in various fields, namely, green market and consumption, green supply chain, green technology, green layout, and other development in green aspect. The review findings contribute into clarifying the applications of the ABM method for green development from a panoramic view. They also render some improvement methods in addressing the current research issues and managerial actions for the applications of the ABM method for green development.