A neuro-symbolic, purchaser-centric approach for automated concurrent supplier negotiations via AI-generated emails and contracts.
Negotia is a research project that automates supplier negotiations in procurement processes. By combining neural AI methods with symbolic knowledge representations (neuro-symbolic paradigm), the system maximizes comprehension and automation while reducing hallucinations.
- Concurrent Negotiations: Enables simultaneous negotiations with multiple pre-sourced suppliers
- AI-Generated Content: Automatically creates negotiation emails and contracts
- Supplier Sourcing: Integrated supplier sourcing capabilities
- Strategic Purchasing: Incorporates customized purchasing strategies
- Neuro-Symbolic Approach: Combines neural AI with symbolic knowledge for enhanced reliability
- Cost Savings: Potential for substantial annual savings in large-scale procurement operations
- Process Efficiency: Significantly reduces time and effort in supplier negotiations
- Sustainability & Risk Management: Alignment with sustainability and risk management goals
- Digital Transformation: Drives digital transformation in procurement processes
This system was developed as part of a research paper published at ISD2025. The study employed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2) to evaluate usability and user acceptance, achieving:
- High Usability: SUS score of 88.75
- Strong User Acceptance: R² of 0.888 for intention to adopt
- High-Quality Outputs: Expert evaluation confirmed high correctness, naturalness, completeness, benevolence, expertise, and credibility
In today's competitive business landscape, efficient supplier negotiations are crucial for reducing procurement costs and securing favorable terms. We present Negotia, a neuro-symbolic, purchaser-centric approach that automates concurrent supplier negotiations via AI-generated emails and contracts. Following the neuro-symbolic paradigm, our approach combines neural AI methods with symbolic knowledge representations to maximize comprehension and automation while reducing hallucinations. Negotia streamlines the process by enabling simultaneous negotiations with multiple pre-sourced suppliers, significantly reducing time and effort. Additionally, the system enables supplier sourcing and incorporates customized purchasing strategies, further enhancing procurement efficiency. Key benefits of Negotia include cost savings, improved process efficiency, and alignment with sustainability and risk management goals. We employ the System Usability Scale and the Technology Acceptance Model 2 to evaluate usability and user acceptance, focusing on perceived usefulness and ease of use. The study also includes an expert evaluation of participants' email and contract drafts, assessing key attributes such as correctness, naturalness, completeness, benevolence, expertise, and credibility. The results reveal high usability (88.75) and strong user intention to adopt Negotia (R² of 0.888), with participants achieving high-quality outputs. Consequently, the system demonstrates the potential for substantial annual savings for large-scale procurement operations, ultimately driving digital transformation in procurement.
Recommended Citation:
Stütz, J.D., Karras, O., Oelen, A. & Auer, S. (2025). A Neuro-Symbolic Approach for Purchaser-Centric, Concurrent, and Strategic Supplier Negotiations. In I. Luković, S. Bjeladinović, B. Delibašić, D. Barać, N. Iivari, E. Insfran, M. Lang, H. Linger, & C. Schneider (Eds.), Empowering the Interdisciplinary Role of ISD in Addressing Contemporary Issues in Digital Transformation: How Data Science and Generative AI Contributes to ISD (ISD2025 Proceedings). Belgrade, Serbia: University of Gdańsk, Department of Business Informatics & University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. ISBN: 978-83-972632-1-5. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2025.87
This project was developed with contributions from:
This project was implemented as part of a PhD research project.