Dear Colleagues,

J. W. Forrester, the founder of system dynamics, states, in the foreward of one of his books focusing on modelling of economic systems, that the frontier of better-understanding the behavior of social and economic systems will shape the progress of mankind in this century. Indeed, we need to support movement away from purely mental models, in which economic systems are captured for more insightful and disciplined computer simulation models based on sound formal foundations. The issue of understanding complex system behavior and the challenge of developing easy-to-use models are obvious in the field of economic development.  We need to successfully cope with the collection and organization of data, interdisciplinary model development, transparency of models, and visualization of the results. However, the pay-off is worthy. We can tame complexity and acquire better insights, which is the main assumption of better understanding and meaningful decision making. Models represent essential tools in generating new knowledge. They help us simplify complex phenomena by eliminating everything we believe is extraneous to what we want to study. Computers allow us to expand the scope of our models to include more and more diverse variables, and to ask more “what-if” questions. We can experiment using computer models; in this way, models help us to uncover unintended consequences, emergent attributes, synergic effects, or dominant feedbacks. We look for patterns within the details without losing sight of the big picture. Then, predictions of the short- and long-term outcomes of proposed actions are more precise and helpful. Innovations in software engineering and availability of powerful and affordable hardware have enabled development and application of various approaches to modelling of economic systems together with related tools and techniques. Kindly consult the keywords included in this call. Needless to say, the list is obviously incomplete. In the train of this progress computer models are no longer confined to the computer laboratory. They have moved into every classroom and business information systems. Moreover, combination of approaches or methods brings new added value. By building on the strengths of each we acquire models that exceeds the knowledge derived from choosing one method over the other. Experimenting with computer models will open a new world in our understanding of economic systems. This Special issue focuses on broad range of methodological and application issues associated with economic models within their whole life cycle. Papers should show interest in three main uses of models: Understanding, assessing, and optimising. Accepted papers are intended to provide novel approaches to modelling of economic systems, explanation or solution of specific modelling difficulties, description of original models dealing with specific problems, answers to research questions from economics based on alternative approaches, etc. We will accept papers for peer review in the following areas of interest:

• Multi-agent modelling and simulation of economic systems
• Dynamic nature of economy captured in system dynamics models
• Modelling based on large datasets
• Analysis of closed loops in economy based on simulations
• Simulation-based support of policy making in energy-economy systems
• Energy-economy-environment systems and analysis of various scenarios
• Macroeconomic models
• Microeconomic models
• Universality vs. user-friendliness of development of computer models
• Computer simulations of specific economic systems
• Transformation of main theories in economics into computer models
• Application of economic indicators and indices in computer simulations
• Extension of already existing well-known economic models 
• Models focused on historic data replication

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Simulation
• System dynamics
• Agent-based modelling
• Economic theory
• Indicator
• Policy making
• Energy
• Environment
• Model attributes
• Feedbacks
• Data-based modelling