International Negotiation and Information Technology

Abstract

Advances in information technology (IT) have not only become the subject of international negotiation, but also an important channel by which the international negotiation process operates. International agreements have been negotiated to regulate and govern e-commerce, technology transfer, cybersecurity, and electronic communications. As well, IT applications using the internet offer a vehicle for real-time cyber diplomacy, especially when parties cannot gather face-to-face. IT-based analytical tools have also been developed to enable negotiators to better analyze the context and their options for upcoming talks, in addition to testing and simulating the possible implications of alternate strategies and tactics. This thematic issue of International Negotiation updates earlier studies, addressing the impact of IT on negotiation from various angles.