Computational Laboratories for Organization Science: Questions, Validity and Docking

Richard M. Burton ()
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Richard M. Burton: Duke University

Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 2003, vol. 9, issue 2, No 1, 108 pages

Abstract: Abstract A computational laboratory is a “place” where we can: ask a question about an organization and its processes, build a computational experiment, design and conduct an experiment, and answer or comment on the question. The questions can be: what is, what might be, and what should be. Validation is a fundamental concern in science; the validity of a laboratory and model depends upon the question being addressed. A laboratory for a descriptive what is question may not be valid for a what should be design question. Docking—the alignment of two models—goes beyond validity. Docking juxtaposes two models to investigate whether they proceed in like manner or yield similar results. I argue that docking provides a guide in the use of different laboratories to address organization questions; and, further computational and non computational models can be docked to deepen and broaden our understanding of organization science.

Keywords: computational laboratories; organizational models; docking; validation; computational experiments; simulation; organization science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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DOI: 10.1023/B:CMOT.0000022750.46976.3c

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