Abstract

Existing electronic negotiation systems implement a single, fixed negotiation protocol. Therefore, their use is restricted to these types of negotiation problems and these kinds of interactions which had been assumed a priori by designers. Recent research focuses on software which can be configured to suit specific objectives of their designers and/or to match particular styles and approaches of the negotiators. Such software also allows studying the impact of different features of negotiation systems on the negotiation process and outcome. This thesis explores the design and implementation of Invite, a multi-protocol negotiation platform. The platform is a flexible and customizable e-negotiation software platform enabling negotiators to map negotiation activities to components and construct their own protocols by creating sequence of layout programs. It allows for multiple different negotiation protocols being run simultaneously under one system. A negotiation protocol is used to configure Invite resources and construct a negotiation engine. The Invite negotiation platform, two protocols, and two negotiation engines are presented in this document.