1522 research outputs found
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Distribution of residence times in bistable noisy systems with time-delayed feedback
Get PDFWe analyze theoretically and experimentally the residence time distribution of bistable systems in the
presence of noise and time-delayed feedback. We explain various nonexponential features of the residence time
distribution using a two-state model and obtain a quantitative agreement with an experiment based on a
Schmitt trigger. The limitations of the two-state model are also analyzed theoretically and experimentally using
a semiconductor laser with optoelectronic feedback
Choosing the Appropriate Methodology:Understanding Research Philosophy (RIKON Group)
Get PDFThis paper introduces novice researchers to the differences in philosophical perspectives and the major research implications arising from them. It is our contention that research should not be methodologically led, rather that methodological choice should be consequential to the researcher’s philosophical stance and the social science phenomenon to be investigated. Several philosophical approaches are possible in the science of research, however we perceive that more extreme approaches can be delimiting. We argue that only an intermediate philosophical approach allows the researcher to match philosophy, methodology, and the research problem
Towards a Further Understanding of the Development of Market Orientation in the Firm: a Conceptual Framework Based on the Market-Sensing Capability
Get PDFWhile the relationship between market orientation and performance has been examined extensively in the literature, relatively little attention has been given to the antecedents of market orientation. So the basic question of how to develop a market driven organisation remains to a large extent unanswered. The capabilities framework provides a useful conduit through which this issue can be approached, since it recognises that firms are innately heterogeneous because the different resources or
capabilities they possess. However, this area has been accused of being tautological in nature, and requires further extensive empirical analysis. This paper presents a
theoretical framework that uses the decomposition of the market-sensing capability as a way to facilitate understanding of the creation of market orientation. Thus it will not only add to the literature on the antecedents of market orientation, but also offers an empirical analysis of a significant capability. Furthermore, this model addresses the question of the relationship between market orientation and learning orientation, and
proposes that a learning orientation precedes a market orientation.
KEYWORDS: Market orientation; learning orientation; market-sensing capabilit
An Empirical Assessment of the Extent and Intensity of User Involvement in the Early Stages of New Product Development (RIKON Group)
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been an emerging consensus in the literature that interacting with users in the early stages of product development can be a valuable means of increasing the likelihood of success. Yet little is known about the overall current state of practice. This empirical study investigates the extent and intensity of involving users in these stages through the analysis of 572 telephone surveys, and 50 postal questionnaires of companies from the initial sample who actually involved users. The results demonstrate that the involvement of users in these critical early stages only occurs to a minimum extent. Additionally, intense user involvement was the preserve of the few. Results also indicate that intense user involvement in certain stages has a positive impact on the performance of the process. Implications of these findings for managers are also discussed
User profiling for content personalisation in information retrieval
Get PDFOne of the key issues with the overabundance of online information sources is that of finding what is relevant. The key to success for any type of information provider must be the personalisation of content in information retrieval, and this can be achieved through the maintenance of user profiles and the matching of these profiles to content metadata. This paper is concerned with user profiling and its role in content personalisation of information retrieval, and in particular presents a profile model which incorporates user preference information and action history information (representing the user’s previous searches). The benefits and costs of such a model are examined and it is argued that the benefits (including personalisation accuracy, computational costs extensibility and flexibility) far outweigh the costs. The matching of profiles to metadata is also discussed as it fulfils an important role in the personalisation process. Although, the user profile model presented is focused on E-Learning, the general platform could be applied to other areas
Flexible Billing for a Personalised Mobile Services Environment
Get PDFThe evolution of network technologies, service types and consumer demands have profound implications for accounting and billing. The application of traditional voice and data accounting methods to the contemporary IP based services of next generation networks have proven too cumbersome and hinder rather than help the process. 3G type services are exhibiting new characteristics that are far removed from their predecessors, leading to new and challenging ways to account for their usage. An alternative mindset is needed when considering the application of accounting principles (mediation, rating and billing) to this new evolution of services. WIT has prototyped a generic ASP based accounting solution that meets some of these emerging requirements. The solution has been trialled in the IST funded AlbatrOSS project. This paper presents a report on the approach used and lessons learned
Dynamics of self-pulsing semiconductor lasers with optical feedback
Get PDFWe analyse the dynamics of a self-pulsating semiconductor laser with optical feedback. Without re-injection of light
the laser displays periodic oscillations. At very weak feedback levels we observe an amplitude instability whose frequency
increases with the feedback level until the laser enters the low frequency fluctuation regime commonly observed in cw
lasers with optical feedback. We show that such behaviour can be observed within the framework of the Lang–Kobayashi
equations for self-pulsating semiconductor lasers
Characterization of Novel Varistor + Inductor Integrated Passive Devices
Get PDFAbstract—This letter describes the design, modeling, simulation, and fabrication of novel integrated passive devices (IPDs). These IPDs, comprising of a cofired multilayered varistor and inductor, have been developed in the ceramic coprocessing technology. The equivalent model of the new structures is presented, suitable for design and circuit simulations. The fabrication method, new design of structures and patented materials of these devices lead to improved characteristics suitable for application in high-frequency suppressors. The IPDs were tested in the frequency range of 1 MHz–3 GHz using an Agilent 4287A RF LCR meter. The measurements confirm the validity of the proposed model. Index Terms—Coils, high-frequency suppression, integrated passive devices, surface mounted devices, varistor
Microstructural analysis of varistors prepared from nanosize ZnO
Get PDFZnO nanoparticles were prepared by a solid state pyrolysis reaction of zinc acetate dihydrate and oxalic acid
dihydrate at 500uC. The course of reaction at various temperatures was followed by XRD. Subsequently varistors
were fabricated from this nano-ZnO material by solid state mixing with various oxide additives and sintering to
1050uC. The microstructure of the sintered material was studied using XRD, field emission SEM (FESEM), and
EDX, and ZnO grains, bismuth rich regions and spinel phases were identified. Discs made from oxide doped nano-
ZnO show considerably higher breakdown voltage (656¡30 V mm21) compared to those prepared from
micrometre sized ZnO (410¡30 V mm21) and commercial varistors (454¡30 V mm21). However, varistors made
from the nano-ZnO show very low densification and high leakage current, making them unsuitable for device
fabrication
Synergetic Positioning Architecture for Location-dependent Services
Get PDFPositioning has been a driving factor in the development of ubiquitous computing applications throughout the past two decades. Numerous devices and techniques have been developed - few of them are actually used commercially. Within the NOMAD [4] project, multiple methods are being combined to recalibrate each other by means of data fusion. A novel architecture processes the data from pervasive devices penetrating everyday objects to the cheapest level. The synergetic heterogeneity of completely different recognition principles allows to tailor the perceived positioning probability to the specific requirements of the target application