Efficient Methods for Multi-agent Multi-issue Negotiation: Allocating Resources

Authors:
Mengxiao Wu;Mathijs Weerdt;Han Poutré
Affiliations:
Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands;Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Venue:
PRIMA '09 Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Principles of Practice in Multi-Agent Systems
Year:
2009

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Abstract

In this paper, we present an automated multi-agent multi-issue negotiation solution to solve a resource allocation problem. We use a multilateral negotiation model, by which three agents bid sequentially in consecutive rounds till some deadline. Two issues are bundled and negotiated concurrently, so win-win opportunities can be generated as trade-offs exist between issues. We develop negotiation strategies of the agents under an incomplete information setting. The strategies are composed of a Pareto-optimal-search method and concession strategies. An important technical contribution of this paper lies in the development of the Pareto-optimal-search method for three-agent multilateral negotiation. Moreover, we present the identification of agreements and Pareto-optimal outcomes achieved by our methods in mathematical proof. We show through computer experiments that using the tractable heuristic of Pareto-optimal-search combined with well-designed concession strategies by agents results in (near) Pareto-optimal outcomes.