POWRE: Dynamic Behavior in Supply Chains: Experimental Investigations

本研究的目的是了解在动态系统中，尤其是在供应链中，参与者在决策时所表现出的行为因素。以前的研究人员从纯粹理性的角度来看待供应链管理问题，开发了库存模型，该模型假设每个成员的行为都是为了最大化一个明确定义的(通常是相当复杂的)利润函数。来自实验经济学和心理学等其他背景的证据表明，人们的行为很少如此理性。本研究调查了模拟(实验)供应链中的实际行为，并将该行为与理论预测的行为进行了比较。本研究的主要贡献有两个。第一，提高对影响供应链协调的行为和制度因素的认识。第二，更好地理解个人如何在复杂的动态系统中做出决策。在应用方面，结果将阐明制度和行为倾向对供应链协调的影响，并建议在实践中使用。在理论方面，结果将有助于我们理解个人如何在复杂的问题中做出决定，他们使用哪些经验法则，他们如何更新他们的信念，以及他们如何学习。这位年轻的研究人员已经有了成就的记录，并准备在一个重要的研究领域取得重大进展。这位研究者之前的研究主要集中在对经济理论的实验检验上。POWRE奖的资助将使她能够将研究重点扩展到运筹学理论的实验测试。这一扩展将使她能够使用她的实验技能来解决运营管理中的一个新的重要问题。这也可能对这一领域产生很大影响，增强她的职业生涯和领导潜力。

The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the behavioral factors exhibited by actors making decisions in dynamic systems, particularly those of a supply chain. Previous researchers have looked at the question of supply chain management from a purely rational point of view, developing inventory models which assume each member acts to maximize a clearly defined (and often quite complex) profit function. Evidence from other settings, like experimental economics and psychology, suggests people rarely act so rationally. This research investigates actual behavior in simulated (experimental) supply chains and compares that behavior with the theoretically predicted behavior. There are two main contributions of this research. First, increasing our understanding of behavioral and institutional factors which affect supply chain coordination. Second, achieving a better understanding of how individuals make decisions in complex systems with difficult dynamics. On the applied front, results will illuminate the effects of institutions and behavioral tendencies on supply chain coordination and well as suggest recommendations for use in practice. On the theoretical front, results will aid our understanding of how individuals make decisions in complex problems, which rules-of-thumb they use, how they update their beliefs, and how they learn. This young investigator already has a record of accomplishment and is positioned to make major advances in an important area of research. The investigator's previous research has focused on the experimental testing of economic theories. Funding from the POWRE award will allow her to extend that research focus to the experimental testing of operations theories. This extension will enable her to use her experimental skills in attacking a new and important problem in operations management. It also will likely have a large impact on the field, enhancing her career and leadership potential.