Title: Computing optimal coalition structures in non-linear logistics domains

Authors: Chattrakul Sombattheera

Addresses: Faculty of Informatics, Mahasarakham University, Khamreang, Kantarawichai, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

Abstract: We study computing optimal coalition structures in non-linear logistics domains, where coalition values are not known a priori and computing them is NP-hard. In our setting, the common goal of the agents is to minimise the system|s cost. Agents perform two steps: 1) deliberate appropriate coalitions; 2) exchange computed coalitions and generate coalition structures. We apply the concept of best coalition introduced in Sombattheera and Ghose (2008), to work in the non-linear logistics domains. We provide an algorithm and explain via examples to show how it works. Lastly, we show the empirical results of our algorithm in terms of elapsed time and number of coalition structures generated.

Keywords: optimal coalition structure; OCS; coalition formation; game theory; multi-agent systems; MAS; agent-based systems; nonlinear logistics; supply chains; supply chain management; SCM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIIDS.2011.043127

International Journal of Intelligent Information and Database Systems, 2011 Vol.5 No.6, pp.555 - 578

Received: 16 Aug 2010
Accepted: 02 Feb 2011

Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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