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Analysis for adaptive complex public enterprises

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2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Public Policy and Management.
The objective of this study is to explore the interactions and interdependence among autonomous and purposeful agents within a complex policy system. From a policy perspective, the focus is on studying systematic patterns that emerge from the interactions among adaptive agents, how these patterns describe actual behavior, and implications of this approach for policy analysis and decision-making. The underlying conceptual question is framed within the context of fraud in the delivery of public services. This conceptualization leads to the following research questions. First, what macro patterns emerge from the interactions among heterogeneous agents in a public service delivery program? Second, what are some of the mechanisms that underlie emergent macro patterns? The conceptual framework is illustrated using data from The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Ohio. This dissertation consists of a set of three interconnected essays. The first essay builds upon the criticisms of the linear Newtonian-Cartesian models of the policy process and decisions and argues that recent advances discussed in the literature on complexity hold promise in providing realistic abstractions of policy issues. The second essay argues that the classical store choice model can be an effective tool for modeling the behavior of program participants as they travel to receive services. A product of such modeling is the spatial patterns that would emerge from the program participants following simple decision rules in selecting the service providers. Deviations from these patterns can be construed as being indicative of potentially fraudulent behavior and therefore deserving of greater scrutiny in efforts to reduce fraud. However, such models do not capture the interactions among the service providers, program participants and the rules that govern these interactions. The third essay describes an implementation of the general framework developed in the first essay and addresses some of the limitations of the models described in the second essay. The flexibility of the agent-based models is illustrated by discussing how such models can be used to simulate not only the deterministic models but can also be used to explore adaptive behaviors in an interdependent system of individuals, service providers, and public agencies.
Anand Desai (Advisor)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kim, Y. (2006). Analysis for adaptive complex public enterprises [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1164742628

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kim, Yushim. Analysis for adaptive complex public enterprises. 2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1164742628.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kim, Yushim. "Analysis for adaptive complex public enterprises." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1164742628

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)