Areas of ExpertiseEcological Economics

Systems dynamics focuses on understanding how the key interrelationships within complex systems change.  Many systems are characterised by ‘complex’ feedback, time lags and non-linearities, e.g. economies, supply and demand cycles, foreign exchange rates, planning authority regulations, labour dynamics, etc.  The presence of such feedback often means that cause-effect chains are not always obvious or apparent.  Furthermore, ‘hidden’ limiting factors may exist which could constrain future outcomes. 

System dynamics models are specifically designed to understand such systems.  Using software packages such as STELLA®, ITHINK® and Vensim®, Market Economics Ltd can investigate the dynamic implications and tradeoffs associated with different policy options and corporate decisions.  These packages allow the user to graphically change key dynamic variables and parameters and then, with sensitivity analysis, instantaneously view their flow-on implications.

Examples of Recent Work:

The Auckland Region Dynamic Environmental-Economy Model, Foundation of Research, Science and Technology.