Reasoning with Group Norms in Software Agent Organisations

Norm-governed practical reasoning agents

This thesis describes a model of norm-governed practical reasoning agents and demonstrates the implementation of this model in the form of the NoA Normative Agent language and architecture. The introduction of normative concepts such as obligations, permissions and prohibitions into the practical reasoning of an agent is motivated by the need for effective coordination mechanisms in open system...

A Group Norms for Multi-Agent Organisations

Programming Organization-Aware Agents A Research Agenda

Organizational notions such as roles, norms (e.g., obligations and permissions), and services are increasingly viewed as natural concepts to manage the complexity of software development. In particular in the context of multi-agent systems, agents are expected to be organization-aware, i.e., to understand and reason about the structure, work processes, and norms of the agent organization in whi...

Anticipating and Resolving Conflicts During Organisational Change

Virtual organisations can be regarded as sets of roles that introduce normative directives for agents joining such organisations by adopting these roles. An agent in a specific role holds a set of obligations, permissions and prohibitions that govern its practical reasoning. In adopting such a role, it commits to fulfill its obligations. A specific problem poses organisational change. In such a...

Norm Based Agency for Designing CSCW

Information systems are organisations in which signs are created, processed and consumed. In order to fulfil the organisational goals and objectives, its members must understand their responsibilities and authorities, and must act cooperatively. The key to this organisation and coordination lies in norms which define responsibilities and authorities for each human agent, and establish regularit...