Study on a Multiagent Construction Supply Chain Management System

Abstract

Multiagent construction supply chain management system (MCSCMS) is a set of agents, software and technology designed to focus and enhance the communication, deliberations and decision-making of groups. MCSCMS is successful in improving the efficiency, reliability and quality of the group decision-making process. This paper aims to introduce the application of MCSCMS so as to improve the implementation of construction supply chain management (CSCM). It begins with an introduction to construction supply chain (CSC),CSCM and the difficulties of implementing CSC. In order to resolve the problems in CSC and promote the performance of CSCM, a multiagent construction supply chain management system is designed based on the multiattribute negotiation technology. This is followed by a description of the MCSCMS framework to illustrate how this framework can provide support in discussion, information, collaboration and decision analysis to overcome the existing difficulties in CSC. The benefits of using the proposed system in CSCM have also been discussed.