Dynamic multi-linked negotiations in multi-echelon production scheduling networks

• Main Authors: LAU, Hoong Chuin, SOH, Guan Li, WAN, Wee Chong
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2006
• Subjects: Multi-linked agent negotiations; Scheduling networks; multi agent systems; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/360; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/1359/viewcontent/IAT06_MultilinkedNegotiation.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In this paper, we are concerned with scheduling resources in a multi-tier production/logistics system for multi-indenture goods. Unlike classical production scheduling problems, the problem we study is concerned with local utilities which are private. We present an agent model and investigate an efficient scheme for handling multi-linked agent negotiations. With this scheme we attempt to overcome the drawbacks of sequential negotiations and negotiation parameter settings. Our approach is based on embedding a credit-based negotiation protocol within a local search scheduling algorithm. We demonstrate the computational efficiency and effectiveness of the approach in solving a real-life dynamic production scheduling problem which balances between global production cost and local utilities within the facilities.