Methodology for regional industrial complex management: Architecture of an agent-based model

Abstract

Industry is the backbone of the economy of developed countries and individual regions. To optimize management processes in such a complex and multi-level sector, specific economic-mathematical models and practical tools have to be developed. The paper discusses the optimal architecture of the regional industrial complex management model on a modern theoretical-methodological and instrumental (program) basis. The classical management theory, optimization theory and game theory constitute the methodology of this study. Among the research methods applied are agent-based and minimax approaches. We substantiate the use of agent-based modelling to simulate administering the regional industrial complex. The paper presents a three-tiered management architecture consisting of federal, regional and company level authorities (united by type of activity). For each level, control agents are identified and a set of indicators formed, which cover the structure of the phase vector, including its attributes, key parameters, control actions used, risks, a model of the parameters’ dynamics, and a model of the data possessed by the object. We build a hierarchical structure of administration and information relationships in the model and, based on the minimax approach, create an algorithm of agents’ efforts to select optimal control actions. The proposed architecture will allow forming a flexible toolkit for assessing industrial development scenarios and producing the best step-by-step management pattern of the regional industrial complex.