Intelligent negotiation model for ubiquitous group decision scenarios<FootNote> Project supported by the COMPETE Programme (No. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043), the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Nos. UID/CEC/00319/2013, UID/EEA/00760/2013, and SFRH/BD/89697/2012), and the ECSEL JU (No. 662189) </FootNote><FootNote> A preliminary version was presented at the 13th International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, June 3–4, 2015, Spain </FootNote>

Abstract

Supporting group decision-making in ubiquitous contexts is a complex task that must deal with a large amount of factors to succeed. Here we propose an approach for an intelligent negotiation model to support the group decision-making process specifically designed for ubiquitous contexts. Our approach can be used by researchers that intend to include arguments, complex algorithms, and agents’ modeling in a negotiation model. It uses a social networking logic due to the type of communication employed by the agents and it intends to support the ubiquitous group decision-making process in a similar way to the real process, which simultaneously preserves the amount and quality of intelligence generated in face-to-face meetings. We propose a new look into this problem by considering and defining strategies to deal with important points such as the type of attributes in the multicriterion problems, agents’ reasoning, and intelligent dialogues.

Keywords

Group decision support systems / Ubiquitous computing / Automatic negotiation / Social networks / Multi-agent systems

References

[1] Allen, J., Blaylock, N., Ferguson, G., 2002. A problem solving model for collaborative agents. Proc. 1st Int. Joint Conf. on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, p.774–781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/544862.544923

[2] Alonso, S., Herrera-Viedma, E., Chiclana, F., , 2010. A web based consensus support system for group decision making problems and incomplete preferences. Inform. Sci., 180(23):4477–4495. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2010.08.005

[3] Bashiri, M., Hosseininezhad, S.J., 2009. A fuzzy group decision support system for multifacility location problems. Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol., 42(5):533–543. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00170-008-1621-3

[4] Bonzon, E., Dimopoulos, Y., Moraitis, P., 2012. Knowing each other in argumentation-based negotiation. Proc. 11th Int. Conf. on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, p.1413–1414.

[5] Burke, K., Chidambaram, L., 2003. Mini-track: distributed group support systems (DGSS). Proc. 36th Annual Hawaii Int. Conf. on Systems Science, p.16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2003.1173658

[6] Carneiro, J., Santos, R., Marreiros, G., , 2014a. Overcoming the lack of human-interaction in ubiquitous group decision support systems. Adv. Sci. Technol. Lett., 49:116–124. http://onlinepresent.org/proceedings/vol49_2014/24.pdf

[7] Carneiro, J., Santos, R., Marreiros, G., , 2014b. Understanding decision quality through satisfaction. Int. Conf. on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, p.368–377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07767-3_33

[8] Carneiro, J., Martinho, D., Marreiros, G., , 2015. Individual definition of multi-criteria problems in ubiquitous GDSS. Adv. Sci. Technol. Lett., 97:99–106. http://onlinepresent.org/proceedings/vol97_2015/17.pdf

[9] Dean, J.W., Sharfman, M.P., 1996. Does decision process matter? A study of strategic decision-making effectiveness. Acad. Manag. J., 39(2):368–392. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256784

[10] de Melo, C.M., Carnevale, P., Gratch, J., 2011. The effect of expression of anger and happiness in computer agents on negotiations with humans. 10th Int. Conf. on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, p.937–944.

[11] Dennis, A.R., 1996. Information exchange and use in small group decision making. Small Group Res., 27(4):532–550. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1046496496274003

[12] El-Sisi, A.B., Mousa, H.M., 2012Argumentation based negotiation in multiagent system. 7th Int. Conf. on Computer Engineering & Systems, p.261–266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ICCES.2012.6408525

[13] Fan, X.Y., Toni, F., 2014. Decision making with assumptionbased argumentation. 2nd Int. Workshop on Theory and Applications of Formal Argumentation, p.127–142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54373-9_9

[14] Fan, X.Y., Toni, F., Mocanu, A., , 2014. Dialogical two-agent decision making with assumption-based argumentation. Proc. Int. Conf. on Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems, p.533–540.

[15] Gorsevski, P.V., Cathcart, S.C., Mirzaei, G., , 2013. A group-based spatial decision support system for wind farm site selection in Northwest Ohio. Energy Pol., 55: 374–385. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.12.013

[16] Guo, C.Z., Guo, K., Lin, W., , 2005. The research on the software architecture of negotiatory synthetical forecasting GDSS based on J2EE. Proc. 9th Int. Conf. on Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design, p.27–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/CSCWD.2005.194140

[17] Herrera, F., Herrera-Viedma, E., Verdegay, J.L., 1997. A rational consensus model in group decision making using linguistic assessments. Fuzzy Sets Syst., 88(1):31–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0114(96)00047-4

[18] Huang, P., Sycara, K.A., 2002. A computational model for online agent negotiation. Proc. 35th Annual Hawaii Int. Conf. on System Sciences, p.438–444. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2002.993892

[19] Huber, G.P., 1984. Issues in the design of group decision support sytems. MIS Quart., 8(3):195–204. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/248666

[20] Jennings, N.R., Wooldridge, M., 1998. Applications of intelligent agents. In: Jennings, N.R., Wooldridge, M. (Eds.), Agent Technology. Springer, Berlin, p.3–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03678-5_1

[21] Kakas, A., Moraitis, P., 2006. Adaptive agent negotiation via argumentation. Proc. 5th Int. Joint Conf. on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, p.384–391. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/1160633.1160701

[22] Kar, A.K., 2014. Revisiting the supplier selection problem: an integrated approach for group decision support. Expert Syst. Appl., 41(6):2762–2771. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2013.10.009

[23] Karacapilidis, N., Papadias, D., 1998. A group decision and negotiation support system for argumentation based reasoning. 4th Pacific Rim Int. Conf. on Artificial Intelligence, p.188–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/3-540-64413-X_36

[24] Karacapilidis, N., Papadias, D., 2001. Computer supported argumentation and collaborative decision making: the HERMES system. Inform. Syst., 26(4):259–277.

[25] Karunatillake, N.C., Jennings, N.R., 2005. Is it worth arguing? 1st Int. Workshop on Argumentation in Multi-Agent Systems, p.234–250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-32261-0_16

[26] Kraus, S., Sycara, K., Evenchik, A., 1998. Reaching agreements through argumentation: a logical model and implementation. Artif. Intell., 104(1-2):1–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0004-3702(98)00078-2

[27] Marey, O., Bentahar, J., Asl, E.K., , 2014. Agents’ uncertainty in argumentation-based negotiation: classification and implementation. Proc. Comput. Sci., 32:61–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2014.05.398

[28] Marreiros, G., Santos, R., Ramos, C., , 2010. Context aware emotional model for group decision making. IEEE Intell. Syst., 99:1541–1672. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MIS.2010.1

[29] Maznevski, M.L., 1994. Understanding our differences: performance in decision-making groups with diverse members. Human Relat., 47(5):531–552. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/001872679404700504

[30] Moreno-Jiménez, J.M., Aguarón, J., Escobar, M.T., 2008. The core of consistency in AHP-group decision making. Group Dec. Negot., 17(3):249–265. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10726-007-9072-z

[31] Müller, J., 1996. The Design of Intelligent Agents: a Layered Approach. Springer, Berlin, Germany. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BFb0017806

[32] Paul, S., Seetharaman, P., Ramamurthy, K., 2004. User satisfaction with system, decision process, and outcome in GDSS based meeting: an experimental investigation. Proc. 37th Annual Hawaii Int. Conf. on System Sciences, p.37–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2004.1265108

[33] Rahwan, I., Ramchurn, S.D., Jennings, N.R., , 2003. Argumentation-based negotiation. Knowl. Eng. Rev., 18(4):343–375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0269888904000098

[34] Rahwan, I., Sonenberg, L., Jennings, N.R., , 2007. Stratum: a methodology for designing heuristic agent negotiation strategies. Appl. Artif. Intell., 21(6):489–527. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08839510701408971

[35] Ramchurn, S.D., Sierra, C., Godo, L., , 2007. Negotiating using rewards. Artif. Intell., 171(10-15):805–837. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.artint.2007.04.014

[36] Reicher, S., Haslam, S.A., Hopkins, N., 2005. Social identity and the dynamics of leadership: leaders and followers as collaborative agents in the transformation of social reality. Leadership Quart., 16(4):547–568. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.06.007

[37] Rosaci, D., 2012. Trust measures for competitive agents. Knowl. Syst., 28:38–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.knosys.2011.11.011

[38] Santos, R., Marreiros, G., Ramos, C., , 2010. Using personality types to support argumentation. 6th Int. Workshop Argumentation in Multi-Agent Systems, p.292–304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12805-9_17

[39] Sierra, C., Jennings, N.R., Noriega, P., , 1998. A framework for argumentation-based negotiation. Proc. 4th Int. Workshop on Intelligent Agents IV, Agent Theories, Architectures, and Languages, p.177–192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BFb0026758

[40] Smits, M.T., Postma, Th.J.B.M., Takkenberg, C.A.Th., , 1993. A GDSS methodology for personnel planning in rheumatology. Proc. IFIP TC8/WG8.3 Working Conf. on Decision Support in Public Administration, p.149–158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-81485-2.50016-2

[41] Sycara, K., Pannu, A., Williamson, M., , 1996. Distributed intelligent agents. IEEE Expert, 11(6):36–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/64.546581

[42] Tavana, M., Kennedy, D.T., Rappaport, J., , 1993. An AHP-Delphi group decision support system applied to conflict resolution in hiring decisions. J. Manag. Syst., 5(1):49–74.

[43] Walton, D., 1995. Commitment in Dialogue: Basic Concepts of Interpersonal Reasoning. State University of New York Press, Albany, USA.

[44] Wooldridge, M.J., 2000. Reasoning about Rational Agents. MIT Press, Cambridge, USA.

[45] Wooldridge, M.J., Jennings, N.R., 1995. Intelligent agents: theory and practice. Knowl. Eng. Rev., 10(2):115–152. http://dx.doi.or/10.1017/S0269888900008122

[46] Xu, Z.S., 2009. An automatic approach to reaching consensus in multiple attribute group decision making. Comput. Ind. Eng., 56(4):1369–1374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2008.08.013

[47] Yen, J., Yin, J.W., Ioerger, T.R., , 2001. Cast: collaborative agents for simulating teamwork. 17th Int.Joint Conf. on Artificial Intelligence, p.1135–1144.

[48] Zhang, G.Q., Ma, J., Lu, J., 2009. Emergency management evaluation by a fuzzy multi-criteria group decision support system. Stoch. Environ. Res. Risk Assess., 23(4): 517–527. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00477-008-0237-3