Optimization of an agent-based simulation (ABS) bears specific challenges. It is demonstrated in this paper that mainstream simulation-based optimization (SBO) approaches often do not perform well in such a setting, sometimes hardly outperforming a mere random search. Two new algorithms for SBO...

Foran objective function, how should each argument be assigned itsappropriate role in the change of the objective function, whenthe arguments are interrelated? In this paper, it is shown thatthe commonly used approaches may lead to results contradictoryto straightforward economic reasoning, and...

This paper presents a successful application of operations research techniques in guiding the decision making process to achieve a superior operational efficiency in core activities. We focus on a rich vehicle routing problem faced by a Portuguese food distribution company on a daily basis. This...

Automatic environmental monitoring networks enforced by wireless communication technologies provide large and ever increasing volumes of data nowadays. The use of this information in natural hazard research is an important issue. Particularly useful for risk assessment and decision making are...

Mathematical models are tools that can facilitate the instrumentation of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The first basin models to be developed were completely hydrological; today, due to the urgent need to plan the sustainable use of water resources, new models are needed that...

In the 1992 Rio World Summit on Environment and Development/UNCED), water resources are indicated to remain at the core of sustainable development and, thus, they are to be managed and developed on a sustainable basis. Sustainability is a philosophical concept and thus difficult to measure. Yet,...

Traditionally, water quality modelling has focused on modelling individual water bodies. However, water quality management problems must be analyzed at the basin scale. European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires introducing physical, chemical and biological aspects into the management of...

Participatory methods provide an increasingly accepted path to integrated water assessment. This research describes an interdisciplinary exercise of scenario design and modelling, which provides a methodology to couple hard science numerical modelling approaches with the involvement of key water...

Among the most important components of sustainable management strategies for water distribution networks is the ability to integrate risk analysis and asset management decision-support systems (DSS), as well as the ability to incorporate in the analysis financial and socio-political parameters...

Information systems play an important role in the management of organizations. They are considered as social objects interacting with users and the context of their implementation. The purpose of our research is to identify the key factors influencing the users’ behavior toward a decision...