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.