E-commerce Auction Agents and Online-auction Dynamics

Online-auctions are one of the most successful types of electronic markets. They bring together buyers and sellers on a massive scale. However, using an electronic medium for conducting auctions has fundamental differences from traditional English-style auctions. One difference is the availability of software agents that can facilitate many aspects of online-auction participation. The addition of software agents into onlineauctions is already having an impact on the dynamics of online-auctions. This study examines existing agent technologies with regard to their effect on online-auctions. In addition, future directions for research related to online-auction agents and the possible benefits of these agents are also discussed.