Virtual Enterprise Normative Framework Within Electronic Institutions

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.