Dimensions of Dynamic Coalitions

Developments in network technology are enabling organisations to form temporary alliances to achieve specific goals. Such alliances are often referred to as "dynamic coalitions", emphasising the fluid character of their memberships. Dynamic coalitions vary widely in architecture, scale and complexity, ranging from ad hoc groupings of organisations created in order to perform a very brief transaction to long-running collaborations between allies. In many cases, there is significant sharing of information between the participants. The term "dynamic coalitions" is often used without definition, giving rise to potential confusion and unfulfilled expectations. This paper attempts to map out a space of dynamic coalitions, using a systematic approach supported by a formal (mathematically-based) modelling language. Seven "dimensions" are identified and explored, with an emphasis on the flow of information through coalitions. A case study examines software being developed to support dynamic coalitions within the chemical engineering industry. The forms of dynamic coalitions that this software supports are positioned within the space defined by the seven dimensions. Anticipated future work includes the development of validation techniques that exploit the formality of the models and development of more detailed knowledge/guidance about the design of dynamic coalitions. We will also use our approach to represent the Domain Based Security approach, and show how that approach interacts with dynamic coalitions. © 2006 University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Printed and published by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Computing Science, Claremont Tower, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England. Bibliographical details BRYANS, J.W., FITZGERALD, J. S., JONES, C. B., MOZOLEVSKY, I.. Dimensions of Dynamic Coalitions [By] J. W. Bryans, J. S. Fitzgerald, C. B. Jones and I. Mozolevsky. Newcastle upon Tyne: University of Newcastle upon Tyne: Computing Science, 2006. (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Computing Science, Technical Report Series, No. CS-TR-963)