4.7. Remarks on supply optimization

Conclusions can be drawn from this review suggesting likely future developments in this modeling area. The objective of this chapter has been to survey the important steps and methods employed in supply modeling, and to provide some suggestions for improving the credibility and utility of the resulting models, especially those intended to support policy analysis. As is readily apparent, formal modeling draws on several disciplines and techniques; no one modeling approach addresses the myriad topics and issues of interest to scientists, policy analysts and decision makers. Policy analysis especially is multidisciplinary, and successful modeling with this objective places considerable demands upon both the modeler and the relevant disciplines and techniques.