Assessing maritime customs process re-engineering using agent-based simulation

Abstract

Case studies report that corruption is not easily combated by policy changes, and that reform policies can have unexpected side-effects in practice. Using agent-based simulation, this paper studies potential anti-corruption policies in the maritime customs context. We detail an agent-based simulation calibrated on the processes of an archetypal Mediterranean container port (where in-group relationships contribute to a situation of endemic corruption), and describe insights gained about the costs and benefits of various reform policies. Results from the simulation model provide commentary on cases reported in the literature, and offer novel evaluation of policies involving process re-engineering.