Negocimin

Negocimin is a term used in negotiation theory to denote a hypothetical objective metric intended to summarize the efficiency and outcome quality of an agreement reached in a negotiation. As a conceptual construct, negocimin is used to compare strategies and outcomes in simulations, training exercises, and theoretical models.

Etymology: The word negociar blends negotiation with a suffix implying minimization, signaling an objective to minimize concessions and costs while achieving satisfactory outcomes.

Concept and components: A typical model of negocimin combines several dimensions, including the net utility gained by each party, the total concessions made, the time it takes to reach an agreement, and the expected risk or vulnerability associated with the deal. In practice, negotiators assign weights to these dimensions to reflect priorities.

Measurement and use: In training simulations, a negocimin score provides a single number to compare performance across rounds or participants. In research, it serves as a variable in experiments testing negotiation tactics or algorithmic negotiation agents.

Limitations: Critics note that reducing a negotiation to a single score can obscure power dynamics, trust, and relationship value. Scores also depend on the chosen weights and the assumed utility models, which may not be universally valid.

History and spread: The term and concept emerged in speculative discussions within negotiation theory in the early 2010s and has since appeared in some conference papers and educational materials as a teaching aid rather than a standardized measure.

See also: Negotiation theory, game theory, utility, concession strategies, algorithmic negotiation.