We analyze the emerging trends from research on multi-agent interaction protocols, on workflows and on business processes. We propose a definition of commitment-based interaction protocols, characterized by the decoupling of the constitutive and the regulative specifications, where the latter is explicitly represented based on constraints among commitments. The 2CL language, for writing regulative specifications, is also presented.

A clear separation of the constitutive from the regulative specification would bring many advantages, mostly as direct We analyze the emerging trends from research on effects of the obtained modularity: easier reuse of actions in multi-agent interaction protocols, on workflows and different contexts, easier customization on the protocol, easier on business processes. We propose a definition of composition of protocols. As a consequence, MAS would gain commitment-based interaction protocols, characterized greater openness, interoperability, and modularity of design.