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Textbook
Agent Technology For E-CommerceFebruary 2007, ©2007
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Agent Technology for e-Commerce introduces the main theory behind and the applications of agent technology in e-Commerce in a way that is accessible to students with a basic background in computer science. Bringing together economics, game theory and multi-agent systems in a clear and accessible way, this book offers an introduction to agent technology and architectures, as well as providing more in-depth coverage of subjects such as negotiation, auctions, bargaining, voting protocols and coalition formation. Mobile agents and issues of trust and security are also addressed.
Containing exercises and topics for discussion, this book is ideal for classroom use or self-study, and will be of considerable interest to computing and IT professionals who wish explore the fast-moving discipline of agent technology for e-Commerce.
List of Tables.
Preface.
1 Introduction.
1.1 A paradigm shift.
1.2 Electronic commerce.
1.3 Agents and e-commerce.
1.4 Further reading.
1.5 Exercises and topics for discussion.
2 Software agents.
2.1 Characteristics of agents.
2.2 Agents as intentional systems.
2.3 Making decisions.
2.4 Planning.
2.5 Learning.
2.6 Agent architectures.
2.7 Agents in perspective.
2.8 Methodologies and languages.
2.9 Further reading.
2.10 Exercises and topics for discussion.
3 Multi-agent systems.
3.1 Characteristics of multi-agent systems.
3.2 Interaction.
3.3 Agent communication.
3.4 Ontologies.
3.5 Cooperative problem solving.
3.6 Virtual organisations as multi-agent systems.
3.7 Infrastructure requirements for open multi-agent systems.
3.8 Further reading.
3.9 Exercises and topics for discussion.
4 Shopping Agents.
4.1 Consumer buying behaviour model.
4.2 Comparison shopping.
4.3 Working for the user.
4.4 How shopping agents work.
4.5 Limitations and issues.
4.6 Further reading.
4.7 Exercises and topics for discussion.
5 Middle agents.
5.1 Matching.
5.2 Classification of middle agents.
5.3 Describing capabilities.
5.4 LARKS.
5.5 OWL-S.
5.6 Further reading.
5.7 Exercises and topics for discussion.
6 Recommender systems.
6.1 Information needed.
6.2 Providing recommendations.
6.3 Recommendation technologies.
6.4 Content-based filtering.
6.5 Collaborative filtering.
6.6 Combining content and collaborative filtering.
6.7 Recommender systems in e-commerce.
6.8 A note on personalization.
6.9 Further reading.
6.10 Exercises and topics for discussion.
7 Elements of strategic interaction.
7.1 Elements of Economics.
7.2 Elements of Game Theory.
7.3 Further reading.
7.4 Exercises and topics for discussion.
8 Negotiation I.
8.1 Negotiation protocols.
8.2 Desired properties of negotiation protocols.
8.3 Abstract architecture for negotiating agents.
8.4 Auctions.
8.5 Classification of auctions.
8.6 Basic auction formats.
8.7 Double auctions.
8.8 Multi-attribute auctions.
8.9 Combinatorial auctions.
8.10 Auction platforms.
8.11 Issues in practical auction design.
8.12 Further reading.
8.13 Exercises and topics for discussion.
9 Negotiation II.
9.1 Bargaining.
9.2 Negotiation in different domains.
9.3 Coalitions.
9.4 Applications of coalition formation.
9.5 Social choice problems.
9.6 Argumentation.
9.7 Further reading.
9.8 Exercises and topics for discussion.
10 Mechanism design.
10.1 The mechanism design problem.
10.2 Dominant strategy implementation.
10.3 The Gibbard-Satterthwaite Impossibility Theorem.
10.4 The Groves-Clarke mechanisms.
10.5 Mechanism design and computational issues.
10.6 Further reading.
10.7 Exercises and topics for discussion.
11 Mobile agents.
11.1 Introducing mobility.
11.2 Facilitating mobility.
11.3 Mobile agent systems.
11.4 Aglets.
11.5 Mobile agent security.
11.6 Issues on mobile agents.
11.7 Further reading.
11.8 Exercises and topics for discussion.
12 Trust, security and legal issues.
12.1 Perceived risks.
12.2 Trust.
12.3 Trust in e-commerce.
12.4 Electronic institutions.
12.5 Reputation systems.
12.6 Security.
12.7 Cryptography.
12.8 Privacy, anonymity and agents.
12.9 Agents and the law.
12.10 Agents as legal persons.
12.11 Closing remarks.
12.12 Further reading.
12.13 Exercises and topics for discussion.
A Introduction to decision theory.
A.2 Making decisions.
A.3 Utilities.
A.4 Further reading.
Bibliography.
Index.
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A unique introduction into the theory behind, and the applications of, agent technology in e-commerce; incorporating basic elements of economics and game theory.
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It provides an introduction to agents, architectures and multi-agent systems as well as agent interactions including communication and cooperation.
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Helps computer science students to comprehend some basic principles in economics and game theory.
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In depth coverage of negotiation, including general principles, auctions, voting protocols, coalition formation and bargaining.
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Coverage of middle agents and recommender technologies as well as the technology of mobile agents and how they can be deployed in e-commerce, and of trust and security in the area of agents and in particular in the context of electronic markets.
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Provides a bridge between two disciplines and shows how Economics and Multi-agent systems can come together.
