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Project: Web negotiations

Time and Weight
     The INSPIRE project should not take more than five-six hours. One to two hours is to familiarize with the system and prepare for negotiation. The negotiation is prolonged but it should not take more then 10 or 15 min. at a time. A two page report should take two hours or so.
     Weight: 10% of the course total.

INSPIRE
     INSPIRE is a Web-based system for studying and training negotiation and negotiation support. The system has been developed at Carleton and it is the first of its kind.
     You may learn more about INSPIRE by going to its site and navigating through its introductory pages. There you will find an example and general information on how the system can be used. Here is the link to the home page of the system: INSPIRE.
     Browse the INSPIRE home page and read the handout and the example before using the system. You will learn about how to get started and all the main steps and actions that need to be taken.

Schedule

1. You will get from me a URL address where you will register for negotiations. Remember to write your last and first name, your email address, and user name (which is one that you choose to be known to your opponent).
2. Before the end of January you will receive an email from the INSPIRE administrator that your negotiation has been set up and you have been assigned an opponent.
3. The INSPIRE administrator's email will contain the negatiation name and your user name. At that time you will also be given the deadline for completing your negotiation (app. 3 weeks). Once you have this information please go to the INSPIRE home page (INSPIRE) and submit the following:
   • Negotiation name
   • User name that you selected.
   • Do not submit a password, it is not required.
   Remember to make a note of your negotiation name and user name (including noting capital and small letters) so that you will be able to acdess the system at the later date and continue your negotiation.
4. Begin your negotiation. Please remember that the negotiation has a deadline after which you cannot continue. That is either you achieve a compromise before the deadline or the negotiation are concluded without an agreement.
5. Please remember to fill out both questionnaires which INSPIRE presents to you.
6. Submit your report not later than by the due date given in the course outline.

Project report
     Business on the Web is growing at a phenomenal pace. On the other hand Web allows buyers to access sellers all over the world. This implies that both buyers and sellers can obtain plethora of information and negotiate contracts with people and organizations in any part of the World. The main question is then how a system like INSPIRE can be used in real negotiations.
     Depending on your answer to the first question you may address such issues as the system's interface and ease of use, method for preference elicitation and presentation, and graphical display of the negotiation dynamic. Ideally you may give your own recommendations for the system's improvement and modification.
     Your report should be short and concise; it should not contain more than two double spaced pages. Note that your grade depends on the report.
     You may consider writing comments during your negotiation. This may greatly facilitate the preparation of your report.