Purpose

This study focuses on (re-)introducing computer simulation as a part of the research paradigm. Simulation is a widely applied research method in supply chain and operations management. However, leading journals, such as the International Journal of Operations and Production Management, have often been reluctant to accept simulation studies. This study provides guidelines on how to conduct simulation research that advances theory, is relevant, and matters.

Design/methodology/approach

This study pooled the viewpoints of the editorial team of the International Journal of Operations and Production Management and authors of simulation studies. The authors debated their views and outlined why simulation is important and what a compelling simulation should look like.

Findings

There is an increasing importance of considering uncertainty, an increasing interest in dynamic phenomena, such as the transient response(s) to disruptions, and an increasing need to consider complementary outcomes, such as sustainability, which many researchers believe can be tackled by big data and modern analytical tools. But building, elaborating, and testing theory by purposeful experimentation is the strength of computer simulation. The authors therefore argue that simulation should play an important role in supply chain and operations management research, but for this, it also has to evolve away from simply generating and analyzing data. Four types of simulation research with much promise are outlined: empirical grounded simulation, simulation that establishes causality, simulation that supplements machine learning, artificial intelligence and analytics and simulation for sensitive environments.

Originality/value

This study identifies reasons why simulation is important for understanding and responding to today's business and societal challenges, it provides some guidance on how to design good simulation studies in this context and it links simulation to empirical research and theory going beyond multimethod studies.

中文翻译：

---

（重新）-发现仿真作为 OM/SCM 研究的关键要素：呼吁研究

目的

本研究的重点是（重新）引入计算机模拟作为研究范式的一部分。仿真是供应链和运营管理中广泛应用的研究方法。然而， 《国际运营与生产管理杂志》等领先期刊往往不愿接受模拟研究。这项研究为如何进行推进理论、相关且重要的模拟研究提供了指导。

设计/方法论/途径

这项研究汇集了《国际运营与生产管理杂志》编辑团队和模拟研究作者的观点。作者讨论了他们的观点，并概述了模拟为何如此重要以及引人注目的模拟应该是什么样子。

发现

考虑不确定性变得越来越重要，对动态现象（例如对中断的瞬态响应）的兴趣越来越大，并且越来越需要考虑补充结果（例如可持续性），许多研究人员认为可以通过大数据来解决这一问题和现代分析工具。但通过有目的的实验来构建、阐述和测试理论是计算机模拟的优势。因此，作者认为模拟应该在供应链和运营管理研究中发挥重要作用，但为此，它也必须从简单地生成和分析数据发展而来。概述了四种前景广阔的模拟研究：基于经验的模拟、建立因果关系的模拟、补充机器学习、人工智能和分析的模拟以及敏感环境的模拟。

原创性/价值

这项研究确定了模拟对于理解和应对当今商业和社会挑战的重要性的原因，它为如何在此背景下设计良好的模拟研究提供了一些指导，并将模拟与超越多方法研究的实证研究和理论联系起来。