The automated negotiation performed by a software agent is investigated in order to improve the benefits compared to a humane face-to-face negotiation. The profitability of e-business applications can be increased by the support of automated negotiation tools. This research proposes a set of learning methodologies to support both the suppliers’ and customers’ negotiation activities. The learning methodologies are based on Q-learning technique, which is able to evaluate the utility of the actions without a model of the environment. The context regards one-to-many negotiation and multi-issues (volume, price, and due date). A simulation environment is developed to test the proposed methodologies and evaluate the benefits compared to a negotiation approach without learning support tool. The simulations are conducted in several market conditions, and a proper statistical analysis is performed. The simulation results show that the proposed methodologies lead to benefits both for suppliers and customers when both the opponents adopt the learning approach.

Learning Methodologies to Support E-Business in the Automated Negotiation Process

RENNA, PAOLO
2013-01-01

Abstract

The automated negotiation performed by a software agent is investigated in order to improve the benefits compared to a humane face-to-face negotiation. The profitability of e-business applications can be increased by the support of automated negotiation tools. This research proposes a set of learning methodologies to support both the suppliers’ and customers’ negotiation activities. The learning methodologies are based on Q-learning technique, which is able to evaluate the utility of the actions without a model of the environment. The context regards one-to-many negotiation and multi-issues (volume, price, and due date). A simulation environment is developed to test the proposed methodologies and evaluate the benefits compared to a negotiation approach without learning support tool. The simulations are conducted in several market conditions, and a proper statistical analysis is performed. The simulation results show that the proposed methodologies lead to benefits both for suppliers and customers when both the opponents adopt the learning approach.
2013
9781466640405
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11563/48633
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