In this paper, the concept of coordination under the setting of cooperative multiagent systems is examined. Based on the concept, a computational model in which the key constructs of coordination can be precisely defined is developed. This model can serve as a basis for developing software systems designed to support coordination in Eletronic Commerce. Coordination is viewed as management of conflicting demands on finite resources by actors or acitivities. The model views coordination as a cycle of four phases: the definition phase, the conflict resolution phase, the action phase, and the adaptation phase. Then, a formal model of coordination, both as a phenomenon and as a process is devloped. Within the context of this model, important concepts such as decomposability, informational privacy, informational decentralization, and informational efficiency are examined.