TY - JOUR AB - Purpose The term “agent-based modelling” (ABM) is a buzzword which is widely used in the scientific literature even though it refers to a variety of methodologies implemented in different disciplinary contexts. The numerous works dealing with ABM require a clarification to better understand the lines of thinking paved by this approach in economics. All modelling tasks are a means and a source of knowledge, and this epistemic function can vary depending on the methodology. this paper is to present four major ways (deductive, abductive, metaphorical and phenomenological) of implementing an agent-based framework to describe economic systems. ABM generates numerous debates in economics and opens the room for epistemological questions about the micro-foundations of macroeconomics; before dealing with this issue, the purpose of this paper is to identify the kind of ABM the author can find in economics.Design/methodology/approach The profusion of works dealing with ABM requires a clarification to understand better the lines of thinking paved by this approach in economics. This paper offers a conceptual classification outlining the major trends of ABM in economics.Findings There are four categories of ABM in economics.Originality/value This paper suggests a methodological categorization of ABM works in economics. VL - 26 IS - 2 SN - 2515-964X DO - 10.1108/JABES-12-2018-0108 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-12-2018-0108 AU - Schinckus Christophe PY - 2019 Y1 - 2019/01/01 TI - Agent-based modelling and economic complexity: a diversified perspective T2 - Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies PB - Emerald Publishing Limited SP - 170 EP - 188 Y2 - 2024/09/25 ER -