Abstract
The concept of Industry 4.0 promises to transversally revolutionise industries. Simulation, as one of the main pillars of Industry 4.0, allows improvements in the organisational and production processes of companies. This research work develops a decision support tool based on system dynamics, that address the problem of car dealership sales forecast and evolution depending on the commercial strategies adopted. This decision support tool considers main variables that are expected to influence car sales in Portugal. To develop this tool several interviews were conducted with the people responsible for the commercial sector of different dealerships while considering existing literature on the subject. This allowed us to parameterize a system dynamics model with the most influential sales factors. The developed tool is expected to contribute to car dealerships to evaluate their commercial policies and define adjustments to these to improve profitability.

Abstract
Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) assumes that a production order is generated for replenishment when the inventory position, given by the net flow equation, is below a given level. Literature on this production planning and control system suggests prioritizing open orders on the shop floor based on the inventory buffer status. However, the performance of buffer-oriented priority dispatching largely remains unknown. Using discrete event simulation, this study suggests that buffer-oriented dispatching based on the net flow equation outperforms due date-oriented dispatching rules and first-come-first-served. The performance impact depends, however, on the reorder quantity associated with the production orders. These results have important implications for industrial practice.

Abstract
Total evacuation time constitutes an important factor in the safety of any building. It is thus essential to devise an emergency evacuation plan, which will enable the safe evacuation of all the occupants in the shortest possible time. The main objective of this article was to examine and improve the evacuation process of a 4-star hotel located in the city of Porto, Portugal. To this end, one looked into 6 scenarios, by means of PathFinder simulation software, so as to determine the shortest total evacuation time and identify possible bottlenecks and congestion. The simulation model developed was tested to analyze the evacuation of 429 people from the hotel, based on the availability of the 3 accessible exit doors (central exit, side exit, spa exit) and elevators. Strategy 4 presented the shortest total evacuation time, with 536.0 s. Two other strategies which showed very similar times were 5 and 6, with 537.0 s and 537.5 s, respectively.

Abstract
This paper examines the concept of learning factories and their role in addressing contemporary challenges in the production sector. Learning factories integrate learning and production environments, offering hands-on experiences to develop essential competencies for modern manufacturing. Originating from initiatives like the Germany's "Lernfabriken" in the late 1980s and the National Science Foundation's funding in the 1990s, learning factories have gained global prominence. They serve as platforms for research, education, and workforce development, attracting students and workers from diverse sectors. Examples from Europe, the United States, and China illustrate various approaches to leveraging learning factories for industrial advancement and skill development. Overall, learning factories play a vital role in fostering innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and driving economic growth in the manufacturing sector. © 2024 The Authors.

Abstract
Purpose: This paper intends to evaluate the impact of Toyota Way (TW) focused activities on operational performance and its connection to sustainability and longterm success. Methodology/Approach: Three theoretical-practical activities were implemented in a real pickup assembly plant. Performance was assessed through the recording of standard documentation before and after implementation, direct observation at the gemba, and anonymous qualitative surveys of those involved. Findings: Results show how TW enhances workers' skills alongside TPS through experiential learning, fostering continuous improvement with minimal or no financial investment and creating value iteratively and exponentially. However, it had a limited impact on environmental factors. TW emerges as a critical link between short-term operational performance and long-term sustainable growth. Research Limitations/Implications: The sample is restricted to a single assembly plant in Portugal. The surveys involved between 5 and 13 respondents per activity. Originality/Value of paper: In contrast to TPS and lean manufacturing, current literature on TW is limited, often outdated, and lacks clarity regarding its Japanese and American interpretations. Furthermore, few studies emphasise the human element as a driver of company growth-a factor often overlooked by companies. Category: Case study

Abstract
This paper studies a real world dedicated parallel machine scheduling problem with sequence dependent setups, different machine release dates and additional resources (PMSR). To solve this problem, two previously proposed models have been adapted and a novel objective function, the minimisation of the sum of the machine completion times, is proposed to reflect the real conditions of the manufacturing environment that motivates this work. One model follows the strip-packing approach and the other is time-indexed. The solutions obtained show that the new objective function provides a compact production schedule that allows the simultaneous minimisation of machine idle times and setup times. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different models for solving PMSR problems in real-world contexts and gives directions for future research in this area using complementary approaches such as matheuristics.