A fuzzy group decision making process in a multi-agent negotiation environment

This paper discusses a group decision making approach which facilitates a multi-issue negotiation process between agents such as service providers and consumers in a fuzzy environment. The outcome of such encounters depends on two key aspects: the agenda (the set of issues associated with the service) and the negotiation process (how to settle the issues). In a multiple-issue negotiation process it is difficult to reach an optimal outcome when the two agents´ preferences and the relative importance of the alternatives and their associated issues are not known to each other. A fuzzy group decision making process can be used to reach consensus and order the issues in the pre-negotiation stage to improve the efficiency of the outcome. We propose an approach where a fuzzy group decision making process is developed in an agenda based multi-issue negotiation environment.