An Agent-Based Distributed Decision Support System Framework for Mediated Negotiation

Implementing an e-market for limited supply perishable asset (LiSPA) products is a problem at the intersection of online purchasing and distributed decision support systems (DistDSS). In this dissertation, we introduce and define LiSPA products, provide real-world examples, develop a framework for a distributed system to implement an e-market for LiSPA products, and provide proof-of-concept for the two major components of the framework. The DistDSS framework requires customers to instantiate agents that learn their preferences and evaluate products on their behalf. Accurately eliciting and modeling customer preferences in a quick and easy manner is a major hurdle for implementing this agent-based system. A methodology is developed for this problem using conjoint analysis and neural networks. The framework also contains a model component that is addressed in this work. The model component is presented as a mediator of customer negotiation that uses the agent-based preference models mentioned above and employs a linear programming model to maximize overall satisfaction of the total market.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Business Information Technology

Department dc:contributor.department

Business Information Technology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• LoPinto, Frank Anthony

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Ragsdale, Cliff T.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Tillar, Roberta Russell
• Matheson, Lance A.
• Zobel, Christopher W.
• Rees, Loren P.

• Preferences
• Linear Programming
• Web Services
• Decision Support Systems
• Agents
• Conjoint Analysis

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-04282004-110741

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/27401