Abstract
The principles and tools made available by the Industry 4.0, smart factories, or the Internet of Things (IoT), along with the adoption of more comprehensive simulation models, can significantly help the industry to face the current, huge external and internal challenges. This paper presents a new simulation-based approach to support decision making in the design and operational management of manufacturing systems. This approach is used to evaluate different layouts and resources allocation, and help managing operations, by integrating a simulation software with real-time data collected from the production assets through an IoT platform. The developed methodology uses a digital representation of the real production system (that may be viewed as a form of a digital twin) to assess different production scenarios. A set of key performance indicators (e.g. productivity) provided by the simulation can be used by the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to generate production schedules. The developed approach was implemented and assessed in a real case study, showing its robustness and application potential. Its extension to other industrial contexts and sectors seems, therefore, quite promising. Copyright (C) 2021 The Authors.

Abstract
The Real-Time Monitoring and Performance Management suite tool, known as UIL (User Interface Layer), was developed in the FASTEN project, a R&D initiative financed by the innovation and research program H2020 within a bilateral Europe-Brazil call. UIL was conceived and deployed in the IIoT architecture of the project. The goal was to provide a usercentered assistance to the human operator for both decision-responsibility and control loop, in a continuously updating information fashion, related to system's state. In order to have experimental results, a qualitative assessment was conducted in an industrial environment. The architecture proposed was based on the adoption of a Knowledge Engineering User Interface to support Operator 4.0. Our empirical experiments point out to a successful set of results. Copyright (C) 2021 The Authors.

Abstract
This study reflects the assumption that all links in a supply chain (SC) must share responsibility for socio-environmental issues. One of the main barriers to ensuring the sustainability of an SC is the difficulty in accessing partners' information, especially beyond the first tier. Due to the great geographical dispersion, large number of small companies, and, mainly, the growth of the fast fashion industry, the textile sector is recognised as a priority when it comes to social sustainability issues. Moreover, consumers are increasingly demanding information about the social footprint of products. Thus, this paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of how SC visibility can contribute to increasing the social sustainability of textile SCs. Using a longitudinal perspective and adopting mixed methods integrated into a design science strategy, we evaluate SC visibility in the context of two Portuguese textile supply chains, before and after the development of a technology-based solution.

Abstract
Assembly lines are at the core of many manufacturing systems, and planning for a well-balanced flow is key to ensure long-term efficiency. However, in flexible configurations such as Multi-Manned Assembly Lines (MMAL), the balancing problem also becomes more challenging. Due to the increased relevance of these assembly lines, this work aims to investigate the MMAL balancing problem, to contribute for a more effective decision-making process. Therefore, a new approach is proposed based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) embedded in a Digital Twin architecture. The proposed approach provides a close-to-reality training environment for the agent, using Discrete Event Simulation to simulate the production system dynamics. This methodology was tested on a real-world instance with preliminary results showing that similar solutions to the ones obtained using optimization-based strategies are achieved. This research provides evidence of success in terms of dynamic resource assignment to tasks and workers as a basis for future developments.

Abstract
There is currently an increasing interest in exploring the opportunities for competitive advantage that can be gained by reinforcing core competencies and innovative capabilities through networks of industrial and business partners. This paper firstly identifies some of the gaps that exist within current information systems that claim to support eBusiness and eWork in networked enterprises and describes some of the general requirements of distributed and decentralised information systems for companies operating in networks. It goes on to cover some principles for the design of a distributed IS providing an advanced infrastructure to support general co-operation, particular methodologies for co-operative and collaborative planning and guidelines for network set-up and support. The present work is one of the areas currently being delivered as part of the Europe-an IST consortium called Co-OPERATE. A distributed and decentralised information system, based on an architecture of agents and extensively using the internet, is being designed and implemented as a means to provide new and more powerful decision support tools for networked enterprises.

Abstract
Markets today are characterized by enormous uncertainty in demand that combined with the increasing complexity of new products and competition, has forced companies to adopt new collaboration strategies with its business partners. SMEs need to form non-hierarchical networks where they can complement their capabilities and resources, achieve higher added value and higher control of the business. In these environments, decision making becomes decentralized and operations' planning presents new challenges and becomes more collaborative. An integrated solution for non-hierarchical networks collaborative planning is presented in this paper. The solution proposed includes two collaborative planning scenarios (aggregate and detailed), applied in different phases of non-hierarchical networks' lifecycle, which allows SME's to negotiate prices and delivery times in a collaboratively way. The solution considers requirements from companies belonging to three different industrial sectors, assuring its wide applicability. © 2011 Research Institute for Ope.