The use of a computer simulation overcomes many of the methodological problems identified above, albeit while generating some methodological issues of its own. In a simulated environment, the problem of observation is removed. All input, output and process variables can be faithfully recorded at every stage of the simulation run. The computer makes no distinction between environmental and firm level variables - both are equally accessible and easy to measure. Similarly, experimental treatments can be easily conducted by systematically varying the parameters of the system, and replications can be conducted at will.
Random assignment is a trivial exercise, while experimental control can be rigorously enforced.
With a computer simulation the major difficulties facing field experimenters are basically removed. The greatest weakness of the simulation method is the need to clearly demonstrate its external validity. However, to the degree that a simulation is capable of imitating known behaviour than the processes espoused in the simulation model must serve as valid theoretical propositions and a form of test for existing theoretical statements. Theories cannot be proved - but they can be disproved by a disconfirming observation. To the extent that the simulated output agrees with real-world observations it provides a credible and plausible explanation of that reality.