A comparison between system dynamics and agent based modeling and opportunities for cross-fertilization

Summary form only given. This work proposes a systematic approach to identify opportunities for cross-fertilization between two modeling paradigms: system dynamics and agent-based modeling. The motivation for this work is the authors´ belief that there are gains to be made by crossing the boundaries between different domains of research, or different scientific approaches. This paper presents a comparison between the two modeling approaches, which is brought one step beyond the simple statement of the similarities and differences between them by introducing the novel aspect of taking a synergistic view specifically aimed at identifying a list of likely opportunities for cross-fertilization. The list presented here is not exhaustive and should be regarded more as a starting point than an ending point, and an invitation to other scientists to take such synergistic views even further.