The Computer as a Third Party: Decision Support System for Two Party Single-Issue and Two Party Multi-Issue Negotiations
Christoph Gltner · DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) · 2011
Two prototype systems (ONDIhfE I, II) have been developed to demonstrate the potential of a computer, acting as a neutral third party to facilitate negotiations between two parties In single or multi-Issue cases.In the single issue case, "fair price arbitration" and a procedure to assess the negotiators' perception about their reservation prices are implemented Into a rule base in order to analyze the negotiation behaviour and enhance the effectiveness of the computer as a mediator/arbitrator.In the multi-Issue case, the main role of the computer is to maximize both parties' utlHty, r"cc a basic a^reoinont has been found.New procedures to assist the ir^i'l t i-ls<^'Je negotiation, before agreement Is reached, are also discussed.The system, so far.Is aimed at academic purposes, yet, it should also explore the usefulness of the computer for real world- negotiations • Acknowledgement The project was supervised by Professor J.D. Nyhart, for whose advice and generosity I would like to express my thanks.The industrious effort of Hae Yong Yi, to implement the code and her critical remarks on the approach are most