Lehrstuhl Wirtschaftsinformatik I - Organisational Communication
Prof. Dr. Mareike Schoop

Within the scope of the eNegotiations project, we apply and continuously enhance the research prototype Negoisst in experiments, in order to provide optimal support for negotiators in complex, multi-attributive, bilateral negotiations. Our main objective is not to automate negotiation tasks but to optimise them with regard to different qualitative and quantitative goals like traceability, unambiguousness, comprehensibility or mutual utility.

Basic Concept

The aforementioned objectives are reached by integrating Semantic Web technologies, amongst others. Text message contents are semi-automatically assigned to well-defined concepts, what can reduce misunderstandings. Further, intentions are made explicit by the sender by pragmatic enrichment - hence, it is always transparent whether a message is meant e.g. as a formal offer (offer) or an informal question (question). Moreover, functions like generating contracts or intelligent search are facilitated.

The screenshot of the negotiation overview on the right (tree design) shows message types and utility evaluations. Idea and process resemble the use of tags in many Web 2.0 applications.

The system is rooted in the "language-action perspective" (Searle/ Habermas) and therefore focuses on the support of communication processes. It also integrates analytic functions, though, comparable with those of the well-known Inspire System but relying on semantic annotations. E.g. based on a hybrid conjoint approach, the system can estimate the utility values for offers made during a negotiation process.

As an introduction to the system, we provide a Negoisst Tutorial. The system is available here (in agreement with the system owner).

Negoisst Features

What does the Negoisst system provide in detail? How can I use it and which functionality does the system have?

Overview of the most important features:

Video, Quicktime

• flexible web-application (optimised for Mozilla Firefox and activated javascript)
• decision tool: auction or negotiation?
• language options:
  
  • English
  • German
  
  
• bilateral, asynchronous negotiations (like email)
  
  • free text (formatting at will)
  • mature communication model, intention of a message is made explicit
  • strict separation of binding and non-binding (coffee bar) interaction by message types
  • semi-structured communication, natural language messages are enriched with references to the agenda what facilitates automatic processing and evaluation of the message (see video)
  • integration of message and document view - automatically generated contracts refer to individual decisions in the negotiation process (see DOC.COM framework)
  • agenda can be extended dynamically
  • import of catalogues (e.g. BMECat) for e-procurement negotiations
  • diverse set-up and analytic tools for negotiation group exercises
• multi-attributive auctions
• integrated negotiation agents - decision processes can be automated for respective negotiation tasks, implemented for auctions and bilateral negotiations

• decision support

• 
  Video, Quicktime

  • scoring model for offers
    
  • easy to trace
  • changes of model possible at any time
  • live update of evaluations during message writing

Negoisst Technology

• dynamic protocols - individual process design (see BPEL approach)
• modular import and export interfaces
• OWL integration - store and use mutual "understanding" of the negotiation parties (based on JENA API)
• AJAX-enabled - important information is always up-to-date, direct feedback
• flexible Java implementation in five levels, all together about 500 Java classes
• 100% open source - all components stem from the OpenSource community, thank you!
• • Java Server Faces (JSF) / Apache MyFaces
    
  • eXist DB
    
  • Apache Tomcat Server
  • openSUSE
  • JUNIT
  • Log4J