System Dynamics Simulation Modelling of Managing a Maritime Shipping Organization

Abstract

This paper is a result of the research team at the University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies in dynamics of conduct maritime transport organizations. Results of the paper are shown in paper [8], and wish of the authors is to present a model to wider audience. What is new in this paper are Subsystem of debts, Subsystem of credits, Subsystem of loans and Subsystem of commercial department. System dynamics simulation modelling is one of the most suitable and most successful scientific methods of modelling of dynamics of complex, non-linear, natural, technical and organizational systems. System dynamics models are basically continuous models, as the subjects are presented by a set of non-linear differential equations, i.e. “equations of state”. However, they are also discrete, as their basic time step, i.e. sampling “DT” is defined in full accordance with the Sampling Theorem (Shannon, Nyquist and Koteljnikov). Such selection of the basic time step of DT enables computer modelling of continuous simulation models in digital computer, which is very suitable for training students at maritime faculty, engineering and electro technical faculties, and for theoretical and practical training of engineers of ship processes, as it enables them, by applying system dynamics approach, to acquire new information and skills about the complex dynamics of performance of maritime systems and processes. In a system dynamics model a shipping company is an integrated part of the surroundings and cannot be observed separately, without mutual interference.