Introducing a Hybrid Simulation Modeling Formalism to Specify Complex Adaptive Systems on the Conceptual Level

For about a decade, we recognize a growing interest in hybrid simulation. Mixing different modeling paradigms promises to overcome limitations inherent to single paradigm approaches and help build models that are both realistic and accessible at the same time. However, a commonly accepted formalism to specify this kind of model on the conceptual level is barely found. We introduce a hybrid agent-based modeling formalism that integrates elements from the most widely applied paradigms: agent-based modeling and simulation, discrete event simulation, and system dynamics. The so-called HABM formalism is founded on hybrid automaton theory and DEV&DESS. It supports, among others, the specification of dynamic structure agent-based networks. We apply HABM to a strategic workforce planning problem by modeling an organization as a complex adaptive system.