Considering actor behaviour: agent-based modelling of transitions

Abstract

Transitions emerge as outcome of the decisions, behaviours and interactions of a multitude of actors operating in a changing institutional context. Agent-based modelling (ABM) allows for the representation of heterogeneous actors and their interactions and for system-level dynamics to emerge. In this chapter, the authors provide a brief introduction to ABM, investigate the conceptualisation of actors and institutions in the transitions research field and present the challenges for ABM of transitions that arise from the multitude of actors and institutions, as well as from the diversity of theoretical perspectives to describe them. Four approaches to tackle these challenges are discussed.