Modelling the bioeconomy using system dynamics approaches

The objective of this paper is to investigate the use of the System Dynamics (SD) approach in relation to the bioeconomy. This approach is increasingly perceived as a method able to describe real-world complex systems. Hence, considering the transdisciplinary nature of the bioeconomy and its call for a holistic perspective of the multiple sectors and socio-technical sub-systems of which it is composed, the SD method may represent the way through which we can model, simulate, and explore the behaviour of complex bioeconomy systems. In order to understand the state of the art of SD in the field of the bioeconomy, we conducted a systematic literature review, through the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for SysteMAtic reviews) approach. The results of this review show that the use of SD for the representation of the bioeconomy as a whole is currently limited, as only 12 papers were found in the literature matching the selection criteria. On the contrary, several articles focus their analysis solely on a single value chain or a single sector, using the bioeconomy only as a wider framework. Nevertheless, the results suggest that there is a solid foundation to move forward and that the implementation of these systemic models is promising for future research. Important strengths of the approach include the ability to make circularity more explicit and to support the identification of intervention points which could potentially contribute to more targeted bioeconomy policies.