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Recently, Wireless Sensor/Actuator Networks (WSAN) became a major innovation in the modern world. This technology consists of two main parts, a group of sensors and actuators. Sensors act as an information gathering tool which collects data about the physical world like heat and humidity then communicates this data with other nodes on the network. Upon receiving the collected data, actuators can then perform actions that interact with the physical world according to the collected data. This type of interaction between devices and the physical world sparked new horizons in IoT and other smart devices. Therefore, some applications based on WSAN can automate specific tasks like controlling temperature of the room in a smart home. But as technology advances, WSAN based applications are implemented into more mission critical systems where QoS is very crucial and cannot tolerate packet loss or delays. Hence, QoS have become an important factor when discussing mission critical WSAN, since such systems can be life-threatening in many cases. Therefore, in this paper, we will provide a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art approaches, protocols and applications that contributed in enhancing QoS in WSAN. Furthermore, we will provide our own comments on the shortcomings of the proposed solutions and discuss our take on how the discussed techniques can be further improved.

Summary form only given. This study explores the link between higher and lower order technological learning processes and firm market performance (profitability) via firm strategic assets creation and core capabilities deployment. The model used is one where technological learning facilitates technology transfer which enhances the firms strategic assets and core capabilities thus potentially increasing firm profitability. The theoretical concepts of higher and lower order technological learning are established, its dual nature as technical and administrative learning is defined, and its role in strategic assets and core capabilities development is examined. Technological learning is the medium or "tool" for facilitating and managing technology transfer and is defined as the process by which a technology-driven firm creates, renews, and upgrades its latent and enacted capabilities based on its stock of explicit and tacit resources. Qualitative findings on technological learning are correlated to the quantitative evidence, namely firm profitability data that cover the time period examined (1970-95). The quantitative analysis is based on correlation and therefore evidence of relationships between the levels of learning and profitability as well as between the levels of learning and changes in profitability due to a learning effect. The hypotheses testing based on our empirical data indicates that the levels of learning do not have any significant correlation to profitability. The paper attempts to define further research on the topic as well as reasons to explain these phenomena.

A significant gap exists in early stage seed capital for technology based new ventures. The article reports the results of a survey of embryonic firms which received significant amounts of their initial capital from strategic partners. High levels of satisfaction with the alliance were reported by the capital recipients and the alliances tended to evolve into long term relationships. The prescriptions from the normative literature on alliance formation and operation appear mostly valid in the experiences of the surveyed firms.

This study explores the link between higher order technological learning (hyperlearning) processes and firm performance (profitability). The model used is one where learning causes technology transfer which enhances the firm's strategic assets and therefore increases profitability. The theoretical concepts of technological learning are established and empirical qualitative evidence about technological learning is presented as it occurred at three distinct levels (strategic, tactical, and operational) within 16 firms from five industries between 1990 and 1992. The qualitative findings are then correlated to the quantitative evidence, namely firm profitability data that cover the time period from 1985 to 1993. The qualitative evidence was compiled by in-depth interviews of sixteen high technology companies headquartered in the USA, Canada, Germany, and France. The quantitative analysis is based on correlation and therefore evidence of relationships between the levels of learning and profitability as well as between the levels of learning and changes in profitability due to a learning effect. The hypotheses indicate that the levels of learning do not have any significant correlation to profitability. The paper attempts to define further research on the topic as well as reasons to explain these phenomena.