A context-aware normative structure in MAS

Many domains are characterized by agents that interact with each other in accordance with common rules or norms. In international trade, a trading network may include a variety of entities (e.g., software, organizations and people) that are largely autonomous, geographically distributed, and heterogeneous in terms of their operating environment, culture, social capital, and goals. In this context, agents represent real interests and real entities, i.e., different agents have different owners, goals, interests, and preconditions for collaboration. For example, importers are motivated by profit and quality of products, while customs authorities are motivated by safety and security concerns. At any given moment, most agents will be conditioned by different regulations and norms, originating from different institutional contexts.