Supporting dynamic group decision and negotiation processes: A traceability augmented peer-to-peer network approach

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are gaining popularity in supporting group decision and negotiation (GDN) activities in which ad hoc, transient groups participate. In these, multiple stakeholders create and use knowledge that is fragmented and distributed across different locations. While P2P networks help establish physical links across participants, they lack the capability to integrate knowledge fragments embedded in documents and artifacts distributed across peers. We augmented the P2P architecture with traceability to provide a way of integrating distributed knowledge. We implemented this approach in a prototype system that used a P2P networking tool. Using a case study of software development outsourcing, we showed how our approach supported critical GDN activities. Qualitative evaluation of our approach in supporting GDN was also demonstrated.