The effects of comparison shopping behaviour on dynamic pricing strategy selection in an agent-enabled e-market

摘要

E-buyers may use software agents, known as shopbots, to collect and display market data, make buying decisions, and execute sales transactions. E-sellers use pricebots to adjust prices based on market data and stored algorithms. We construct a simulator in which both buyers and sellers use agents. Specifically, we vary levels of comparison shopping, as represented by the extent of shopbot usage, and study the impact on the optimal selection of dynamic pricing strategies by sellers' pricebots. Results indicate that shopbot use and pricing strategy, their interaction, and the presence of a dominant seller significantly affect optimal pricing strategy.