Applying Agent-based Modeling and Simulation to Business Research: A Case of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Studies

Although international business (IB) research has not been actively using agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS), its application to business and management disciplines has grown steadily over the past years. Using organizational behavior and human resource management (OB/HR) areas as an example, we study the trend of using ASMS in business research. First, using the Web of Science database, we systematically identify 81 relevant OB/HR articles published between 2001 and 2019, which applied ABMS in their studies. Second, we analyze the characteristics of ABMS reported in 81 articles. Third, we use an approach of bibliographic mapping to objectively analyze 81 articles. We draw on this analysis to answer two questions: a) What key terms the 81 articles of ABMS applications in OB/HR frequently built over 19 years?, and b) what key clusters and trends occurred during the period? Lastly, we suggest opportunities which are promising to be continued or yet to be addressed by applying ABMS in OB/HR/IB. As a promising additional or supplementary technique to the existing methods (e.g., a variable-based approach), the applications of ABMS can offer valuable insights to enrich our understanding in OB/HR/IB.