1. The modern field of system dynamics was pioneered in the early 1960's, and has since matured into an active field often used in system studies and policy analysis.23,24Through the use of causal loop diagrams and stock and flow dynamic models that capture key feedback mechanisms, system dynamic approaches attempt to determine policies and functions that result in optimal outcomes over time. In recent years, researchers have focused specifically on business dynamics, emphasizing the identification and improvement of behavior patterns. This field could be particularly applicable to analysis of future transportation service provider business models as they evolve along with the technology and regulatory aspects.25The type of time responses notionally shown in Figure 3 above is not uncommon in the system dynamics approach. Potential drawbacks, however, are also apparent, such as the inability to explore emergentbehavior as it is presently defined.
2. A System-of-Systems Perspective for Public Policy Decisions