• Selected
• Entire List

Abstract:
The increased use of network communications within industries,and among firms, suppliers, and customers, isfocusing greater attention on the methods and standardsfor interorganizational communications. In the securitiesindushy, the settlement and clearing of trades dependson numerous messages to be sent and received byseveral organizations. Using the principles of FormalLanguages for Business Communication (FLBC), we developa message representation that is flexible and self-describing,and show how defeasible reasoning appliedto settlement messages could handle problem trades.This application of FLBC offers advantages throughmachine-to-machine error reconcilement, integrationwith other market communications systems, and robustnessto changes in securities design and regulation.

Abstract:
Large-scale electronic shopping systems need to accommodate both (a)a large number of products, many of which are close substitutes, and (b) aheterogeneous body of customers who have complex, multidimensional andperhaps rapidly changing-preferences regarding the products for salein the system. Further, these systems will have to be designed in a mannerso as to both (c) reduce the complexity of the shopping problem fromthe customer's point of view, and (d) effectively and insightfully matchproducts to customers' needs. The aim of this paper is to address theserequirements for electronic shopping systems. We show how an abstraction(or isa) hierarchy with an imposed distance metric can be used as arepresentational basis for modeling the salesperson's role (as embodied inthe surplus and shortage problems) in an electronic shopping system. Further,we indicate how the distance metric, in the context of the abstractionhierarchy, can be interpreted as a unidimensional utility function. Finally,we extend the single dimensional (single perspective) treatment to multipledimensions, or perspectives, and show how the resulting representationcan be interpreted as a multiattribute utility function. We argue that theresulting function is plausible and, most importantly, testable.

decision analysis, decision support systems, electronic shopping, preference modeling, user interfaces, utility theory, multiattribute utility theory

Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to address the requirements for electronic shopping systems. Large-scale computerized electronic shopping systems need to accommodate both (a) a large number of products, many of which are close substitutes, and (b) a heterogeneous body of customers who have complex, multidimensional â€" and perhaps rapidly changing â€" preferences regarding the products for sale in the system. Further, these systems will have to be designed in a manner so as to both (c) reduce the complexity of the shopping problem from the customer’s point of view, and (d) effectively and insightfully match products to customers’ needs. We show has an abstraction hierarchy with an imposed distance metric provides the necessary elements to implement the desired features. Further, we indicate how the distance metric, in the context of the abstraction hierarchy, can be interpreted as a unidimensional utility function. Finally, we extend the single dimensional (single perspective) treatment to multiple dimensions, or perspectives, and show how the resulting representation can be interpreted as a multiattribute utility function. We argue that the resulting function is plausible and, most importantly, testable.

decision analysis, decision support systems, electronic shopping, preference modeling, user interfaces, utility theory, multiattribute utility theory

Abstract:
Hypertext is one of those neat ideas in computing that periodicallyburst upon the scene, quickly demonstrating their usefulnessand gaining widespread acceptance. As interesting, useful and excitingas hypertext is, the concept has certain problems and limitations,many of which are widely recognized. In this paper we describe whatwe call basic hypertext and we present a logic model for it. Basic hypertextshould be thought of as a rigorously-presented approximationof first-generation hypertext concepts. Following our discussion of basichypertext, we present our concept of generalized hypertext, whichis aimed at overcoming certain of the limitations of basic hypertextand which we have implemented in a DSS shell called Max. We thenpresent a logic model for browsing in generalized hypertext.