Object-oriented modeling of two-party negotiation

We developed an object-oriented model which can be used to simulate the negotiation process between two opposing parties. Two party negotiations involve three basic objects; “Negotiator/Opponent”, “Issues”, and “Umpire”. The first object represents the parties to a conflict. “Issues” are one or more issues in conflict. The “Umpire” is a special object that may force specific changes on the negotiation process that “Negotiator” and “Opponent” have little or no control over. The objects exchange structural and communicative moves that alter their properties.