A Two-tiered Model of Negotiation Based on Web Service Agreements

This paper presents a generic model for document-based mediated resource negotiation. Document-based due to the use of Web Service Agreements. The information types included in the Web Service Agreement structure have been extended to include the accept phase of negotiation. This model of mediated negotiation respects the autonomy of both individual provider agents and consumer agents: consumer agents negotiate with multiple mediator agents; mediator agents negotiate with virtual organisations that represent multiple provider agents. This model has been implemented and tested in the AgentScape framework for resource manage-