A comprehensive agent

Abstract

This paper discusses an agent-mediated e-market framework. The framework highlights the different stages and components that require automation and are required for the implementation of a full e-market system using agent technology. Most of these e-market aspects have been discussed, prototypes developed into systems but they exist as separate entities lacking a common protocol for implementation. No attention has been paid to the problem of how e-market component systems can be integrated into a single seamless framework that emerging e-market system makers can adopt. A robust, reliable, and reasonably generic conceptual framework is presented. The analyses and scrutiny of the e-market stages, components, agent roles and characteristics, theories and techniques required in the formation of such a framework are discussed. The paper is a starting point for further research in the e-market areas described herein. It is noted that, need identification, product brokering, buyer coalition, partnership formation, contract formation, purchase and delivery stages have not received enough agent technology research and automation attention.