The design of a database for multiperson decision support

The MEDIATOR approach to implementing negotiation support systems views collaborative decisions as complex, evolving data objects to be managed by an extended database management system. The paper outlines the requirements and a rough design for such a DBMS. Specifically, the present approach represents decision problems as multispatial mappings that eventually lead from real-world observations to group utilities. Group decision processes are represented as nested transactions which collaboratively design this mapping data structure, controlled by group communication norms represented as integrity constraints. The paper concludes with some implementation considerations, using a conceptual model base management approach.