Key Micro Research Articles

Fertility Assessment of a Farm Soil (Ferrosol) Located in Toowoomba, Queensland

A series of analyses and bio-essays were conducted on a Ferrosol collected in Toowoomba (Queensland) to assess its nutrient status and suitability for cereal cropping. The aim was to reveal its nutrient deficiencies or sufficiency and make sound fertilizer recommendations for cereal cropping. An omission trial was first run followed by Phosphorus rate and adsorption trials. Omission and rate trials were conducted on pots with maize as a test plant. Besides, soil chemical analyses were carried out. Results of these analyses revealed that the soil was deficient in key micro- and macro-nutrients and that it exhibited a high P-fixing capacity. This latter property is manageable with addition of organic amendments. The following report presents and discusses these results.

Teori persaingan sempurna neoklasik digugat

In 1995, Hunt and Morgan ( 1995) proposed new theory of competition, namely the resource advantage theory of competition. The theory were explicated·and contrasted with the neoclassical theory of perfect competition. They argued that the new theory of competition explains key macro and micro phenomena better Than neoclassical competition theory. This article describes the new theory and responses of scientific community.

On regulations for 5G: Micro licensing for locally operated networks

Future 5G networks aim at providing new high-quality wireless services to meet stringent and case-specific needs of various vertical sectors beyond traditional mobile broadband offerings. 5G is expected to disrupt the mobile communication business ecosystem and open the market to drastically new sharing based network operational models. 5G technical features of network slicing and small cell deployments in higher carrier frequencies will lower the investment barrier for new entrants to deploy local radio access networks and offer vertical specific services in specific areas and allow them lease the remaining required infrastructure on demand from mobile network operators (MNO) or infrastructure vendors. To realize the full vision of 5G to benefit the society and promote competition, innovation and emergence of new services when the 5G end-to-end network spans across different stakeholders administrative domains, the existing regulations governing the mobile communication business ecosystem are being refined. This paper provides a tutorial overview on how 5G innovations impact mobile communications and reviews the regulatory elements relevant to 5G development for locally deployed networks. This paper expands the recent micro licensing model for local spectrum authorization in future 5G systems and provides guidelines for the development of the key micro licensing elements. This local micro licensing model can open the mobile market by allowing different stakeholders to deploy local small cell networks with locally issued spectrum licenses ensuring pre-defined quality guarantees for the vertical sectors’ case specific needs.

Predicting minimum tillage adoption among smallholder farmers using micro-level and policy variables

Minimum tillage combined with mulching (MTM) is critical to conservation agriculture, yet its use by smallholder farmers raises challenging questions regarding adoption, diffusion and scaling at farm level. In this paper, we used probit regression and post-estimation simulations to identify the key micro (farm specific) and macro (country specific) factors as predictors of MTM adoption in four countries spanning a north-south gradient in eastern and southern Africa (ESA): Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. We found that farmers’ access to markets and social capital empirically predicted MTM adoption. Policies that increased fertilizer subsidies and extension-staff-to-farmer ratios had similar effects, even if only modestly. Conceivably, subsidies specifically targeted at MTM could also be considered based on their potential environmental and social benefits. We conclude that adoption of MTM still faces the same micro- and macro-level hurdles common to all agricultural technologies. Long-term investments in agricultural extension and reductions in the costs of complementary inputs are critical for the diffusion of MTM.

Impact of Development of Technology on Education: Key Micro and Macro Economies of Australia

<p>The purpose of this paper was to discuss and examine the impact of development of technology on education in key micro and macro economies of Australia. Research for this paper included application of micro and macro economics concepts, presentation of facts that are collected from different sources as well as deeper analysis of the changes in micro and macro economies of Australia caused by technological changes in education supported by a range of other scholarly articles.</p><p> </p><p>The paper provides advantages and disadvantages of development of technology on education as well as impact of technology on education in key micro and macro economies of Australia. Based on the analysis, the education industry in general is benefitted by development of technology caused by increasing access to information and flexible study schedule through e-learning. The paper then moved into micro and macro analysis of the impact technology has on education. The key factors in micro economics that were discussed are long run demand and supply, labour demand and supply, resistance to change and effect on universities and the environment. In macro economics, the key factors that were discussed are increased access to education in the country, decrease in structural unemployment rate, decreased demand for Australian academics, increased level of global competition and decrease in GDP as well as increase in information asymmetry.</p><p> </p>The paper provides detailed analysis on the impact of technological development on key micro and macro economies. In general, this paper suggests that as the inevitable development of technology in education will have both positive and negative effects on Australian economies, the key challenge is in managing the development by minimising its negative impacts and nourishing the positive impacts

Designing dynamically “signature business model” that support durable competitive advantage

The paper provides an empirical research of the Samsung case. In particular, we study the case by adopting three frameworks: dynamic capabilities (DC, examined by using the sensing/seizing/transforming approach), business model (BM, examined by using the BM canvas), and customer value proposition (CVP), examined by using the PERFA ((Performance, Ease of use, Reliability, Flexibility, and Affectivity) framework. The aim is to demonstrate that three frameworks successfully explain Samsung competitive advantage. Research question has been defined as follows: how dynamic capabilities actually operate in Samsung Group and contribute to its competitive advantage? Dynamic capabilities enable a firm to identify and orchestrate the necessary resources for designing and implementing a business model that will, if employed in conjunction with a good strategy, be associated with high levels of sustainable profits. The selection/design of business models is a key micro foundation of dynamic capabilities - the sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring skills that the business enterprise needs if it is to stay in synch with changing market. However, there are few examples how successful ICT industry players design dynamically their “signature business model” by Teece (The Academy of Management Perspectives 28:(4)328–352, 2014) that can support durable competitive advantage. This proposed research seeks to explore critical aspects pertaining micro foundations of DC. In this research, two stages of research work will be involved. The first stage is deductive case studies research. We relied on an extensive archival search that included financial statements, annual reports, internal documents, industry publications, and CEO statements to get at a micro-level understanding (Barr et al., 1992), that really boosts our data and better understanding of micro foundation of DC. The second stage involves a demonstration of development process of new conceptual model of research. The research question of current paper has been answered empirically by using data of world leading ICT industry: Samsung Group. What we can learn beyond the ICT industry context from our analysis in terms of generalization of our research results is that the synchronization of business models with the business environment is a critical role of dynamic capabilities in successful organizations. The conversion of value delivered to the customer into value captured by the enterprise is arguably the essence of a business model. We carried out qualitative research of huge secondary data source that help us make sense of the casual links that connect DC, BM and CVP. We didn’t interview executives of those companies due to availability of actual interviews as a secondary data sources. Our contribution is a new conceptual model of competitive advantage paradigm as a product of dynamic capabilities, business models and customer value proposition. The paper also provides analysis, which could be productively used for a case study discussion in class.

Micro origins for macro behavior in granular media

We report the latest advances in understanding, characterization and modeling of key micro mechanisms and origins underpinning the interesting and complex macroscopic behavior of granular matter. Included in this Topical Collection are novel theories, innovative experimental tools and new numerical approaches, focusing primarily on three subtopics governing important multiscale properties of granular media: (a) the jamming transition from fluid- to solid-like behavior, critical state flow and wave propagation, (b) the signature of fabric and its evolution for granular media under general loading conditions, and (c) mechanisms like rotation, breakage, failure and aggregation. The significance of these contributions and exploratory future directions pertaining to cross-scale understanding of granular matter are discussed

Design principle of micro-mechanical probe for lateral-deflection-controlled friction force microscopy

Design principles of lateral-deflection-controlled friction force microscopy (FFM) are presented. Lateral-deflection-controlled FFM can overcome a fundamental problem of dual-axis FFM and can provide higher lateral resolution by compensating for friction force and providing effectively high rigidity to the probe. In this paper, key micro components are investigated: micro structures for detection of lateral probe deflection and for lateral drive of the probe. The micro structure for deflection detection is fabricated at the end of the probe and is used in combination with an optical lever method. The micro structure that reflects light (positive type) can provide higher sensitivity than a conventional structure that does not reflect light (negative type). For the probe lateral drive, a micro conduction structure that connects the probe with a support beam is used. A micro electrical conduction structure using stiction is introduced, and its feasibility is experimentally confirmed. These micro structures can improve the measurement accuracy.

Role of NPRA in MDSC mediated suppression in cancer (P2071)

Abstract It is now evident that inadequate function of the host immune system is due to suppressive factors such as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In our study we found that MDSCs isolated from tumor bearing mice expressed high levels of natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) a receptor for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Since MDSCs play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, we addressed whether NPRA signaling may be linked with altered differentiation of myeloid cells and their suppressive function. We examined the wild type and NPRA deficient mice for MDSC differentiation, and the results showed that NPRA deficient mice exhibited restricted tumor growth and altered differentiation of MDSCs. Next we investigated the link between ANP levels and accumulation of MDSCs. Increase in ANP levels triggered expansion of MDSC. MDSCs suppressed T cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increase in NPRA expression was associated with decreased miR150 as well as increased expression of Nox. NPRA KO mice showed increased expression of miR150 compared to WT mice.Our experiments suggested that activation of NPRA and was regulated by a key micro RNA, miR-150. Taken together, these results suggest a key role to NPRA signaling in myeloid cell differentiation and cancer progression.

What Do Micro Price Data Tell Us on the Validity of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve?

AbstractThis paper surveys the current state of global empirical research on price setting behaviour at the firm level to evaluate the adequacy of pricing models used in the macro literature. To that end, it analyses the implications of 25 theoretical models (sticky information, menu costs, time dependent, costs of adjustment and customer anger models) in terms of their ability to match the key micro stylised facts. It is found that the explanatory power differs considerably across models and that many popular models are at odds with the main micro features, suggesting the need to further refine modelling strategies.

Macroeconomic News, Order Flows, and Exchange Rates

AbstractIn textbook models of exchange rate determination, the news contained in public information announcements is directly impounded into prices with there being no role for trading in this process of information assimilation. This paper directly tests this theoretical result using transaction level exchange rate return and trading data and a sample of scheduled macroeconomic announcements. The main result of the paper is that even information that is publicly and simultaneously released to all market participants is partially impounded into prices via the key micro level price determinant—order flow. We quantify the role that order flow plays and find that approximately one third of price-relevant information is incorporated via the trading process.

A solution for PCB drilling with strict requirement on hole wall quality

PurposeTo provide a solution for PCB drilling with strict requirements on hole wall quality.Design/methodology/approachThe influential mechanism of key micro drill bit parameters on hole wall roughness is analyzed. A new type of micro drill bit is developed on the basis of theoretical analysis and experimental verifications.FindingsThe key factors in drill bit design which can enable superior hole wall quality are described. Experimental results show that very good hole wall quality is achieved by such newly developed drill bits. Meanwhile, the new drill bits show good performance in terms of wear‐resistance and hole registration accuracy. A solution for PCB drilling with strict requirements on hole wall quality is provided.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the influential mechanism of key parameters of micro drill bit design on the hole wall quality of PCBs. A new kind of micro drill bit which can achieve superior hole wall quality has been developed.

Organizing Complex Product Development: Outsourcing, Performance Integration and the Role of Product Architecture

Several streams of recent literature emphasize the advantages of involving external sources of innovation in the process of developing complex products (Powell et al., 1996; Helper et al., 2000; Sturgeon, 2002; Chesbrough, 2003). The question we tackle in the present article is 'What are the key micro organizational decisions for seizing the benefits of a networked innovation strategy?' Building on empirical evidence gathered over a ten-year period at a major European automotive manufacturer, the article presents empirical insights on the organizational challenges that firms face when they decide to rely on external sources of innovation in developing complex products. The empirical evidence highlights two aspects that are important: The role of component specific knowledge in addressing the integration of overall product performance, and the role of learning by doing opportunities in accumulating component specific knowledge. The article shows how managers can greatly benefit from focusing their attention on the organizational aspects of leveraging external sources of innovation and adjusting their innovation strategy, including 'make or buy' choices, accordingly. Strategic and micro organizational decisions, hence, should be considered as tightly coupled and mutually influencing in the context of complex product development. This quite intuitive outcome has been partially neglected in current innovation literature and management practice due to an overemphasis given to product architecture and the possibilities in terms of organization that it enables.

What Do Micro Price Data Tell Us on the Validity of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve?

The New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) is now the dominant model of inflation dynamics. In recent years, a large body of empirical research has documented price-setting behaviour at the individual level, allowing the assessment of the micro-foundations of pricing models. This paper analyses the implications of 25 theoretical models in terms of individual behaviour and finds that they considerably differ in their ability to match the key micro stylised facts. However, none is available to account for all of them, suggesting the need to develop more realistic micro-founded price setting models.

What do Micro Price Data Tell Us on the Validity of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve?

The New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) is now the dominant model of inflation dynamics. In recent years, a large body of empirical research has documented price-setting behaviour at the individual level, allowing the assessment of the micro-foundations of pricing models. This paper analyses the implications of 25 theoretical models in terms of individual behaviour and finds that they considerably differ in their ability to match the key micro stylised facts. However, none is available to account for all of them, suggesting the need to develop more realistic micro-founded price setting models.

The impact of micro‐ and macroergonomics considerations on appropriate technology transfer decisions in developing countries: The case of Turkey

AbstractThe research presented in this paper aims to support the decision process of appropriate technology transfer to industrially developing countries by improving a broader understanding of relationships between the key micro‐ and macroergonomics factors and the technology alternatives. The methodology involves knowledge acquisition, identifying and categorizing a holistic set of key criteria about technology transfer with respect to ergonomics. This work attempts briefly to identify factors affecting the success of technology transfer in order to reduce the potential of incompatibilities with respect to micro‐ and macroergonomics and to optimize the decision process of managers. The objective of the decision model, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), determines the global priority weights for different technology alternatives and examines the critical factors and benefits, which affect the appropriateness of technology transfer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 1–19, 2007.

Who are the Chinese private entrepreneurs?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the key micro factors that are shaping Chinese entrepreneurship: socio‐political origins, motivations, educational attainment, organisational forms and power structures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a questionnaire survey approach, involving a sample of private entrepreneurs who responded in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2002, and 2004.FindingsThe findings reveal a remarkable change in the origin of private entrepreneurs, from a lower to a higher social background. It emerges that individuals were primarily motivated to become private entrepreneurs by positive factors. Increasingly, since the late 1990s, individuals who chose private entrepreneurship exhibited much‐improved educational attainments. Significantly, many enterprises have not yet separated ownership from the management function.Research limitations/implicationsThe data under investigation are not yet fully explored. Further analyses of the impact that the changing attributes of private entrepreneurs could have on entrepreneurial firms is planned for the near future.Practical implicationsFrom the perspective of social changes, there is a need for differential policies to support novice entrepreneurs who originated from a poor social background. Current business governance indicate a tough task to create an organisational structure and management style that would maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and accommodate the needs for control, delegation, and co‐ordination within the organisation.Originality/valueThe paper uses the newly available nationwide survey data to explore the attributes of private entrepreneurs.

Comparing Adaptive Beamforming in Micro- and Macro-Cells

This paper shows how wideband and directional channel physical constraints fundamentally condition adaptive beamforming, comparing between micro- and macro-cells. We define the angular and temporal densities, and multiuser multipath frequency parameters. Their meaning roots from the way that temporal and angular dispersions affect the original correlation properties of signals transmitted among links, reflecting channel richness in the multiuser sense. Their trends are consistent with beamforming performance divergences between those cell environments, helping to establish the main physical constraints. Among key micro- and macro-cell multiuser propagation scenarios, multiuser multipath frequency values are near one order of magnitude larger in micro-cells, compared to macro-cells. This is in agreement with the better beamforming obtained for the micro-cells channel. In the case of terminal grouping, where multiuser channels contribute with the same angles- and times-of-arrival, beamforming gains are limited to being close to 0 dB in macro-cells. In similar conditions, micro-cells' results reach up to 11.6 dB for 4 users, or 9.6 dB for 16, and also render larger beamforming robustness. The physical-level reasoning behind this work is flexible to be applied to most wideband directional propagation models. The presented parameters are general and useful in evaluating spatial filtering techniques, together with those models.

Judgmental forecasts in a competitive environment: Rational vs. adaptive expectations

In a competitive environment, judgmental forecasts or expectations affect not only a firm's own decisions but also those of its competitors. They also influence ultimate market outcomes which, in turn, are then used to form new forecasts. In this paper, we use data from a simulated competitive marketing environment to examine the expectations formation process for key micro variables of interest to marketing managers. These include market size, number of competing products, and average industry price. In particular, we test two alternative hypotheses - rational and adaptive expectations - that are used to study how effective and efficient managers are in using information to form forecasts. We find no support for adaptive expectations, but partial support for rational expectations in that decision makers' forecasts tend to be efficient but biased. We discuss the implications of our results for both the relationship between industry competitiveness and forecast efficiency and for improving forecasts within a competitive setting.