Analysis,modeling, and the management of international negotiations

Negotiation management, a framework for practical implementation of computer-based support to negotiators and their staffs, is defined and described in this paper. In particular, three integrated tools and their underlying methodologies, are illustrated. The collaborative use of computers and information techniques in complex negotiation is framed in terms of a discovery and design paradigm in which parties engage in dialogue, learn, and develop trust that can support the negotiation itself through a process of joint analysis and modeling.     

Group decision and negotiation support in evolving,nonshared information contexts

Based on evolutionary systems design (ESD), group decision and negotiation support in evolving, nonshared information contexts is discussed. A non-shared information context — one without full information sharing — is associated with what has been loosely called a noncooperative context in the group decision and negotiation support systems (GDNSS) literature. Without full information sharing, we have a game with incomplete information that, in general, is evolving. The paper discusses how the GDNSS, MEDIATOR, supports evolution of the group problem representation — a process of consensus seeking (through information sharing, here partial) subject to problem adaptation and restructuring within which compromise is possible.     

高校科研成果转化中的信息化平台建设研究

信息化建设已逐渐渗透到社会生活的每一个领域,高校在管理上也日渐采用信息化手段来提高管理效率,而高校科研成果转化的信息化建设也一直是高校科研管理的重点。结合多年的成果转化经验,针对目前成果转化平台建设存在的问题,提出了一整套的成果转化信息化平台建设解决方案,以期对高校科研成果转化的信息化建设提供参考。     

The use of analytical methods and tools in international negotiations: A practitioner's perspective

This paper presents a practitioner's perspective on the use of systematic analytical techniques to improve the practice of international negotiations, primarily in a multilateral context. A generic model of the negotiation process is presented and the utility of various analytical methodologies is evaluated against the component functions described by the model. Overall, analytical tools for negotiation support are viewed as most useful in the prenegotiation phase. Conclusions are based primarily on practical experience, not on theories of negotiation.     

The role of multi-objective optimization in negotiation and mediation support

The paper reviews the methodology of multi-objective modeling and optimization used in decision support based on computerized analytical models (as opposed to logical models used in expert systems) that represent expert knowledge in a given field. The essential aspects of this methodology relate to its flexibility: modeling and optimization methods are treated not as goals in themselves but as tools that help a sovereign user (an analyst or a decision maker) to interact with the model, to generate and analyze various decision options, to learn about possible outcomes of these decisions. Although the applications of such methods in negotiation and mediation support is scarce yet, their flexibility increases essentially the chances of such applications. Various aspects of negotiation and mediation methods related to multi-objective optimization and game theory are also reviewed. A possible application of the MCBARG system for supporting negotiation related to the acid rain problem is briefly summarized.     

Negotiation and Defeasible Decision Making

In economically meaningful interactions negotiations are particularly important because they allow agents to improve their information about the environment and even to change accordingly their own characteristics. In each step of a negotiation an agent has to emit a message. This message conveys information about her preferences and endowments. Given that the information she uses to decide which message to emit comes from beliefs generated in previous stages of the negotiation, she has to cope with the uncertainty associated with them. The assessment of the states of the world also evolves during the negotiation. In this paper we analyze the intertwined dynamics of beliefs and decision, in order to determine conditions on the agents that allow them to reach agreements. The framework for decision making we consider here is based on defeasible evaluation of possibilities: an argument for a choice defeats another one if it is based on a computation that better uses all the available information.     

国际商务谈判的博弈论议价模型分析

商务谈判是谈判各方当事人在追求共同商业目标,实现双方商业利益整个过程中不断化解冲突、实现谈判者最大利益的手段。在商务谈判中,正确掌握国际商品价格对于节约交易成本,增强企业国际市场竞争力,具有重要意义。可以从博弈论的角度,建立国际商务谈判的议价模型,对信息进行组织、筛选,寻找一个最佳的价格点来分析谈判双方应采取的策略。     

Information and communications technology use in rural child welfare work

This study explores the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) use on rural child welfare practice using a technology-in-practice framework to derive the social structures that are instantiated by rural child welfare workers (CWWs) and to examine their agency as actors. ICT use was tracked, and interviews were conducted with rural CWWs who work with children and families to gain an understanding of and describe their day-to-day ICT use at the practice level. Findings demonstrate that CWWs enact social structures along four frames: bureaucratic structure, family centricity, ICT context and information–documentation culture. In terms of agency, CWWs not only are constrained by but also exert some influence on the social structures they enact through facilities (material resources), norms and interpretive schemes. These findings have implications for how ICT can be used to facilitate the CWW–client relationship and the need in rural areas for increased infrastructure to support CWWs.     

Wanted: Information on the Information Age

This paper advocates the funding of social science research into the individual and societal effects of rapid technological change, particularly those changes posed by the new information technologies. In support of this argument and its relevance for Australia, some evidence of the current pace of technological development is given, along with an outline of existing gaps in our knowledge of technology's effects. Finally, some speculation is made on the possible futures we face, thereby hopefully underscoring the need for adequate research.     

The impact of information and computer based training on negotiators' performance

This paper presents the results of an experiment on negotiation, designed to measure the impact of (1) computerized training and (2) information on negotiators' performanceThe paper is structured as follows. First, we review the literature on negotiation training. Second, we develop a conceptual framework to link various forms of Negotiation Support Systems to joint and individual negotiation performance. Third, we present the negotiation paradigm — a bilateral monopoly — and the computerized training system we used. Regarding training, our results show an asymmetric impact on individual performance levels and, unexpectedly, a negative impact on negotiators' joint performance. In contrast, more information improves both individual and joint performance. Finally, we discuss these results, and outline further research questions.     

Potentials,problems and possibilities for developing New Zealand’s built environment through high-value geospatial information

Gaining useful information about our built, social and natural environments is vital and possible. The value of data for cities is more informed, more effective management and development choices resulting in more benefits to a greater range of stakeholders. This article explores the state-of-play of data infrastructures in New Zealand to identify the challenges to gaining better value from geospatial information. Following engagement with built environment data custodians and information users, it analyses how digital information infrastructure can support the sharing and use of richer and more comprehensive information by weaving a supportive fabric across data. The analysis reveals that data infrastructures primarily need to facilitate agreement on data management, sharing and use; the sharing of costs and benefits across stakeholders; and emphasise place as a powerful driver to richer information. An overarching sociotechnical approach to digital information infrastructure weaves data platforms, policy and technology together.     

Influence of Acculturative Stress of Married Migrant Women on Marriage Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Problem‐Solving Ability and Information Support

This paper aims to examine the mediating effect of problem‐solving ability and information support on the relationship between acculturative stress and marriage satisfaction of married migrant women. To this end, the research model was established on the basis of the stress‐coping theories and resource model, and existing relevant research, and the mediating effect was verified through a structural equation. The subjects were married migrant women living in Busan and Gyeongsangnam‐do. The data from 307 respondents to questionnaires was used for analysis. In accordance with the analysis, the goodness‐of‐fit of the measurement model and structure model was significant. Moreover, problem‐solving ability had a mediating effect on the relationship between acculturative stress and marriage satisfaction. However, information support had no mediated effect on the relationship between acculturative stress and marriage satisfaction. This paper suggests practical implications of improving marriage satisfaction of migrant women on the basis of the analysis results.     

Structuring and simulating negotiation: An approach and an example

Negotiation is a complex and dynamic decision process during which parties perceptions, preferences, and roles may change. Modelling such a process requires flexible and powerful tools. The use of rule-based formalism is therefore expanded from its traditional expert system type technique, to structuring and restructuring non-trivial processes like negotiation. Using rules we build a model of a negotiation problem. Some rules are used to infer positions and reactions of the parties, other rules are used to modify problem representation when such a modification is necessary. We illustrate the approach with a contract negotiation case between two large companies. We also show how this approach could help one party to realize that negotiations are being carried on against their assumptions and expectations.     

无意识的“推动者”——中巴边界谈判过程中的印度因素

20世纪60年代上半期,在中国和巴基斯坦进行边界谈判的过程中,印度对中国和巴基斯坦采取了种种阻挠措施,企图干预中巴边界谈判的进程和结局。印度的一再阻挠和干预实际上却推进了中巴边界谈判的进程。本文利用新近解密的外交部档案和早期《人民日报》的公开资料,尝试对中巴边界谈判过程中印度所采取的阻挠措施和其实际所起的作用做出综合分析。     

对信息时代教育技术的解读

21世纪是中国基础教育彻底变革的时代,也是世界范围内教育技术飞速发展的时期,中国实施的课程改革正经受着教育技术的强烈冲击和影响。因此,改革的视野和立意应该从"学习过程"和"教学资源"有机结合的角度,全方位探讨教育技术与课程整合的途径和方法,实现用信息时代的教育理念引领课程改革实践,赋予教育技术以信息时代的内涵。     

生产方式、信息方式与后现代哲学思潮

“信息方式”是美国学者波斯特 (M .Poster)针对当今信息社会中信息技术 ,特别是电脑和互联网技术的发展而提出的一个新概念。信息方式是对后工业社会之后 ,信息技术尤其是网络技术的发展对当今社会日益增大的影响及其重要地位的理论反映。波斯特从后结构主义的理论出发 ,把现代技术 ,特别是电子媒介技术的发展与后现代哲学思潮 ,特别是后结构主义理论结合起来 ,论证了信息方式及其理论成立的可能性和意义 ,并试图用此概念来取代马克思的“生产方式”概念。本文作者认为 ,信息技术的发展的确与后现代哲学思潮的出现有着密切的关系 ,但这并不意味着信息方式理论就能取代马克思的生产方式概念。相反 ,马克思主义有关生产的技术方式观点 ,对理解当今的信息技术社会仍具有重要的理论意义。同时 ,我们应该从更高的层次上来看待信息方式与后现代主义之间的关系     

Decision analysis for practical negotiation application

The family of decision analysis techniques can be applied effectively to support practical negotiators in international settings. These techniques are most appropriate in support of the prenegotiation phase, when parties are diagnosing the situation, assessing their own plans and strategies, and evaluating likely reactions and outcomes. The paper identifies how these approaches have and can be used to assist negotiation practitioners, offers a rationale for the application of decision analytic approaches in terms of the particular analytical requirements of the prenegotiation period, suggests how these process-oriented tools can be integrated with substantive tools, and discusses ways in which these tools can be presented and delivered to practitioners in a practical and confidence-building manner.     

Does information matter? A research note on information technologies and political protest

The lack of attention paid to information technologies in predicting variations of political protest in cross-national studies is surprising. Given the amount of research that has been done on the impact of communication on behavior and the spread of information technologies across the globe, there is reason to believe that information technologies do play a part in the political process at the “street” level. This note takes a look at the independent role of information technologies, both mass information technologies and personal information technologies, on political protests, in addition to variables purported to measure individual and national well-being. Political protests in this study consists of demonstrations, strikes, and riots which took place in 86 countries between 1970 and 1977. Each type of collective behavior is treated separately in OLS regression.     

Valuing Others’ Information under Imperfect Expectations

Sometimes we believe that others receive harmful information. However, Marschak’s value of information framework always assigns non-negative value under expected utility: it starts from the decision maker’s beliefs – and one can never anticipate information’s harmfulness for oneself. The impact of decision makers’ capabilities to process information and of their expectations remains hidden behind the individual and subjective perspective Marschak’s framework assumes. By introducing a second decision maker as a point of reference, this paper introduces a way for evaluating others’ information from a cross-individual, imperfect expectations perspective for agents maximising expected utility. We define the cross-value of information that can become negative – then the information is “harmful” from a cross-individual perspective – and we define (mutual) cost of limited information processing capabilities and imperfect expectations as an opportunity cost from this same point of reference. The simple relationship between these two expected utility-based concepts and Marschak’s framework is shown, and we discuss evaluating short-term reactions of stock market prices to new information as an important domain of valuing others’ information.