Abstract

Abstract
Existing literature has devoted high attention to the topic of internationalization. A common assumption is that companies progressively commit to international operations; however, with the increase of competition in international markets, there may be a backwards perspective towards international operations. In this chapter, the topic of de-internationalization is examined, and a case study of a Portuguese SME that de-internationalized conducted. The featured case highlights the drivers and the main challenges of internationalization, as well as the factors and the difficulties in a de-internationalization process. The chapter findings highlight the need to expand the existing research on the topics of de-internationalization and re-internationalization.

Abstract
The central theme of the paper is to contribute to the discussion on the relevance of sustainable electric mobility as a beneficial element for tourism activities developed in protected areas. The topic is not recent, but the development of electromobilityhas increased interest and research, with a strong focus on urban areas, but also more and moreon natural areas.The aim is to determine if there is a potential field of electric mobility intervention, with benefit for tourism activities, in protected areas. For this, we called upon theliterature review and comparison with the case of a nature reserve located in Portugal. On the one hand, the investigation procedure focused on the analysis of the virtues and conflicts identified in the literature, along with the contextualization of sustainable mobility in natural areas. On the other hand, we tried to understand how these virtues and conflicts fit the case study, the Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve, in Portugal, as part of the development of an INTERREG project.It can be concluded, although no more substantial project indicators are available, that there is a possibility of overcoming existing conflicts, seeking to maximize the virtues and that it may have an impact not only on tourism activities but on the socioeconomic territory itself.

Abstract
Google Ads is a powerful tool for companies wishing to gain visibility on Google searches, as it offers impression privileges for advertisers, by featuring the ad above the organic results listing. This chapter contributes to the optimization of Google Ads campaigns. It includes an empirical study with a sample of marketing professionals exploring their views on the challenges of Google Ads as a digital marketing tool. According to the participants in this study, Google Ads campaign profitability depends, largely, on the ability to choose a keyword pool that achieves the company's goals. Moreover, the complexity of these pay-per-click decisions, the costs involved, and its business implications demand more reasoned, quantified, and, if possible, optimized solutions. The chapter develops linear programming optimization models based on impressions, clicks, conversions, and billing. The models are tested on a real example using Excel optimization add-ins.

Abstract
This work proposes a new design for the supporting data structures used to implement multithreaded tabling in Prolog systems. Tabling is an implementation technique that improves the expressiveness of traditional Prolog systems in dealing with recursion and redundant computations. Mode-directed tabling is an extension to the tabling technique that supports the definition of alternative criteria for specifying how answers are aggregated, thus being very suitable for problems where the goal is to dynamically calculate optimal or selective answers. In this work, we leverage the intrinsic potential that mode-directed tabling has to express dynamic programming problems by creating a new design that improves the representation of multi-dimensional arrays in the context of multithreaded tabling. To do so, we introduce a new mode for indexing arguments in mode-directed tabled evaluations, named dim, where each dim argument features a uni-dimensional lock-free array. Experimental results using well-known dynamic programming problems on a 32-core machine show that the new design introduces less overheads and clearly improves the execution time for sequential and multithreaded tabled evaluations.

Abstract
Time of use (TOU) rate has been regarded as an effective strategy to associate utility companies to avoid peak time financial risks and make the most profit out of the market, while most programs are not effective as expected to reduce peak time demand of residents. Exploring the impact factors of peak demand reduction (PDR) can help policy makers find reasons that weaken effects of programs and corresponding measures can be carried out to maximize the benefits. However, averaging quantitative indicators for program assessment and incomplete impactor analysis method in existing research show limitations of revealing the complex reasons behind it. In this paper, an association rule mining based quantitative analysis framework is built to explore the impact of household characteristics on PDR under TOU price making up for the deficiencies in current research. Firstly, a probability distribution based customer PDR characterizing model is proposed, in which difference-indifference model is adopted to quantify the effect of PDR and probability distribution fitting method is used to characterize the feature of PDR for households. Then a comprehensive association rule mining analysis using Apriori algorithm is presented to explore the impacts factors of PDR covering four categories of household characteristics including dwelling characteristics, socio-demographic, appliances and heating and attitudes towards energy. Finally, analysis results of a case study based on 2993 household records containing smart metering data and survey data illustrate that PDR level cannot be obtained simply based on the appliance's ownership and its usage habits. Socio-demographic information of households should be taken into consideration together; Internet connection and good house insulation contribute to the increase of PDR level. Moreover, the percentage of renewable generation for households also show a certain relationship with PDR. The proposed analysis framework and findings will associate retailer to improve the benefits of TOU programs and guide policy makers to design more efficient energy saving policies for residents.