We discusse PLC efficiency when multiple users contend for the medium. To resolve contention conflicts, PLC uses carrier sense multi- ple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) on the MAC layer. The stations have to sense the medium before they transmit, and to wait for a random interval of idle-medium time slots before they transmit. The PLC CSMA/CA protocol is similar but more complex than that of Wi-Fi. We present the IEEE 1901 CSMA/CA protocol and certain MAC-layer processes, such as the priority resolution for QoS classes, inter-frame spaces, and frame aggregation. We discuss the new features of HomePlug AV2 compared to IEEE 1901 and the differences between Wi-Fi and PLC MAC layers.

The objective of this chapter is to explore the potential of the partial-organization concept as applied to the analysis of inter-firm networks as a form of economic governance that is created, reproduced or transformed with the help of network management practices. Key insights that the partial-organization perspective can provide into the process and the outcome of organizing and managing inter-firm networks are discussed. Inter-firm networks are conceived as partial organization of more or less complete formal organizations. Under specific circumstances, inter-firm networks could even be considered, at least in some aspects, as being even more organized than organizations. With regard to insights into the dynamics of this organizational form the chapter argues that the concept of partial organization helps to understand the development of this form from initial market relationships as well as from hierarchical organizations

The objective of this chapter is to explore the potential of the partial-organization concept as applied to the analysis of inter-firm networks as a form of economic governance that is created, reproduced or transformed with the help of network management practices. Key insights that the partial-organization perspective can provide into the process and the outcome of organizing and managing inter-firm networks are discussed. Inter-firm networks are conceived as partial organization of more or less complete formal organizations. Under specific circumstances, inter-firm networks could even be considered, at least in some aspects, as being even more organized than organizations. With regard to insights into the dynamics of this organizational form the chapter argues that the concept of partial organization helps to understand the development of this form from initial market relationships as well as from hierarchical organizations