Virtual Enterprises are a major trend within the B2B scenario. Technological support towards enabling this cooperation model includes the multi-agent systems paradigm. In this paper we identify requirements of Virtual Enterprise contracts, developing a normative framework for contract validation and enforcement. Furthermore, we enclose this conception within the structure of an Electronic Institution, which governs and supports the interaction of agents in business scenarios, providing specific services such as brokering, reputation, negotiation mediation, and contract related services. We focus on electronic contracting as a means of establishing cooperation agreements, and we describe the institution's role on the e-contracting life-cycle.

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The advent of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce market has created needs and opportunities for firms to negotiate deals online. Most negotiation support systems (NSS) in past research are text-based and the related findings could not be generalized to negotiating situations utilizing advanced electronic communication technology. This paper investigates the impact of NSS and conflict level on negotiation outcomes where participants communicated through a videoconferencing channel. Findings suggested that dyads with videoconferencing NSS support achieved higher joint outcome, but spent more time in reaching agreements - in low but not high conflict negotiation situation. Conclusion and implications were drawn.

This paper presents a generic model for document-based mediated resource negotiation. Document-based due to the use of Web Service Agreements. The information types included in the Web Service Agreement structure have been extended to include the accept phase of negotiation. This model of mediated negotiation respects the autonomy of both individual provider agents and consumer agents: consumer agents negotiate with multiple mediator agents; mediator agents negotiate with virtual organisations that represent multiple provider agents. This model has been implemented and tested in the AgentScape framework for resource management. 1

SIKS Dissertation Series No. 2007-09 The research reported in this thesis has been carried out under the auspices of SIKS, the Dutch Research School for Information and Knowledge Systems, and has been financially supported by Stichting NLnet. Promotiecommissie: