Approaches to a Decentralized Architecture for an Electronic Market - A Study for the Air Cargo Business

Abstract

This chapter proposes a decision support model for electronic markets using software agents. The model is based on the value chain concept applying to interorganizational information technology (IT), and the consideration of new coordination mechanisms to increase the efficiency of business processes. The proposed framework is used to design an electronic air cargo market. Companies involved in air cargo have lagged in recent years to adapt to the needs of their customers. Our framework suggests the decentralized implementation of software agents to support the transaction process. These autonomous software agents will support users to accomplish the various phases involved in a business transaction from information gathering to negotiation.