Multiagent-based simulation of societal networking in a consumer marketplace

ABSTRACT

The Internet provides a means for customers to compare prices for products from several different sellers. However, the customers act individually and they are missing out on the potential benefits that can accrue from acting cooperatively and in concert. The benefits include lower prices, better terms, improved services, and increased efficiency. Businesses have begun forming supply-chain alliances to achieve these benefits, but it has not yet been feasible among consumers. However, using mobile devices can allow for the sharing of information among consumers. Multiagent networking helps in implementing a simulation for mobile agents in a marketplace of consumers. Using basic knowledge in economics and societal networking to develop the groundwork for the implementation of this architecture will provide results to show the benefits that can be gained by consumers. In this experiment, a grocery market has been set up to demonstrate how communication between honest agents representing consumers can result in a lower overall cost for the community.

REFERENCES

• 1: Mikko Laukkanen , Heikki Helin , Heimo Laamanen, Tourists on the Move, Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on Cooperative Information Agents VI, p.36-50, September 18-20, 2002
• 2: Eduardo Mena , J. A. Royo , Arantza Illarramendi , Alfredo Goñi, An Agent-Based Approach for Helping Users of Hand-Held Devices to Browse Software Catalogs, Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on Cooperative Information Agents VI, p.51-65, September 18-20, 2002
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.4 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
      Subjects: Economics

Additional Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.4 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
      Subjects: Sociology

General Terms:
Economics, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
agent-based simulation, consumer markets, multiagent systems