Abstract
Finding the right strategy enabled by a solid digital transformation is a key challenge that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face. With a high number of transformations that fail, there is a significant investment in research to identify critical factors that ultimately drive a more successful journey, and at the same time, quite a few different models to assess the digital transformation maturity. There is, however, a gap in assessing how ready a SME is to successfully embrace the transformation and an even more significant gap in assessing it from an employee's perspective. This work proposes a model to assess that readiness. The organizational readiness assessment aims to enable SMEs to better understand the foundations that need to be set to successfully deliver the transformation. From the employee's perspective, a user-friendly model assesses the non-technological aspects of an organization, indicating the clear gaps that ultimately might negatively impact the organization's future when digitally transforming. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the potential of supply chain visibility (SCV) to improve companies' performance, support the decision-making process and increase the resilience and sustainability of supply chains (SC). However, the definition and the approaches to manage visibility are not consensual, especially when it comes to its assessment. This paper studies the influence that some characteristics of the information shared among SC partners have on SCV and provides a model that allows to assess the level of visibility. Focus group research was used to discuss the visibility assessment model with academic and practical experts and case studies were conducted to evaluate the implementation of the model in real contexts. The results support the applicability of the model in complex SCs and show that the visibility indices proposed can help managers to identify the SC partners where improvement actions are needed. This study contributes to literature and practice by means of a model to assess the visibility throughout the SC by considering different types and characteristics of the information shared.

Abstract
The retail industry is becoming increasingly competitive; as a result, companies are seeking to reduce inefficiencies in their supply chains. One way of increasing the efficiency of operations inside a warehouse is by better allocating products in the available spaces. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic approach to solving the storage location assignment problem (SLAP) considering precedence constraints, in multi-aisle, multi-product picking warehouses. A two-phase heuristic procedure is developed: the products are clustered and assigned to the available spaces. We tested the procedure in the non-perishables warehouse of a real-world Portuguese retail chain, which supplies 191 stores per day. The results show that the new assignment of products allows for an improvement of up to 15% on the distance travelled by the pickers, which implies savings of approximately 477 km per month. This problem is a special case of SLAP since we are dealing with large percentages of non-uniform products. This procedure incorporates four relevant criteria for the allocation decision: the products' similarity, demand and weight, and the distance travelled by the picker. By using a two-phase heuristic method, this study offers companies and academics an alternative and more effective solution for SLAP than the usual methods based on the creation of density zones.

Abstract

Abstract
Digital transformation is a challenge that many SMEs find difficult to embrace. This difficulty is not due to a lack of will or resources but to the lack of the right strategies for the specific type of organization. It is a common and accepted opinion that many of the digital transformation projects fail or do not achieve the proposed objectives because of the chosen strategy. Digital transformation cannot be seen as a mere evolution of technologies but as a need to shape the entire business of the organization. The increase in e-commerce has forced SMEs to embark on this disruptive process based on globalization and digital business. In this work, we seek to understand which kind of strategy an SME in the retail industry should follow for a correct transformation of its business model. In this work, is proposed a conceptual model for the digital transformation of retail SMEs and explained how to create a prototype script to support the choice of the best digital strategy for retail SMEs. To prove the validity of the prototype, it has been applied in a practical case of a business process in a retail SME. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Innovation is one of the key aspects that drive economic growth and social welfare, one of the ways that it occurs is through technology transfer. However, using a patent to innovate through technology transfer is a complex process, full of uncertainties, and there is not a well-defined process available that enables entrepreneurs to develop business models based on patents. Therefore, this study aims to develop a methodology to support entrepreneurs in the development of businesses from patents available in technology transfer programs. The P2B methodology was developed within two research steps. Firstly, based on a structured literature review and on the case study analysis of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Center (ESA BIC), an initial conceptualization of the methodology was developed. Secondly, data was collected throughout thirteen semi-structured interviews with experts in technology transfer and management, innovation, and business model development to create the final proposed P2B methodology. The P2B methodology addresses the inherent challenges of the innovative business development process, specific to the technology transfer context, by providing a set of twenty-three activities, supported by sixteen tools, divided into four major phases: technology analysis, value analysis, business model, and business plan.