Abstract

Abstract
The internationalization of firms has reached levels never seen before. As a consequence and in order to face the new competitive challenges of globalized markets, industrial small and medium-sized enterprises must be able to adapt to new organizational approaches, to innovate and to further develop their networks. Based on a case study, this chapter reviews the literature on internationalization and networks and addresses a less researched topic of Supplier-Clients relationships in the value chain referring to the importance of the networks, resources and collaborative new product development on the internationalization process of firms. The case reports a successful Ex-Small technical textile company that leveraged its competitive strategy based on technology-based paths and is thriving in both domestic and international markets.

Abstract
This work seeks to understand and characterise the innovative profile of Portuguese SMEs within the context of open innovation. The analysis draws on interviews conducted with the business associations and technological centres in the moulds, footwear and automotive industries in Portugal. The study conducted here follows an exploratory approach. This study suggests that while open innovation is relatively widespread in its adoption of external knowledge, technology transfer outside the business is less commonplace. The innovation partners are varied, chosen based on competence and experience as well as their networking ability. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
This article carries out an integrative analysis of internationalisation theories. The most important contributions to the literature on internationalisation theories are used to create a schematic table giving a framework overview. This approach shows the high-level interaction of the literature, covering all internationalisation theories, their focus and basic assumptions, while at the same time showing their historical timeline. We identify the main schools of thought - ranging from economics based to integrative models - using an analysis that begins in the 18th century and ends in the 21st century with the most recent trends in internationalisation theories. This schematic and integrative analysis aims to support the academic community in their research on business internationalisation. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
In the electricity spot market the various competitive levels, as well as their subsequent changes in the market equilibrium, are justified by the simultaneous quantity game between electricity generators. It is expected that the dominant market players employ differentiated strategic behaviours, thus, permitting the quantification of such differentiated effects on the use of market power. The various competitive levels, as well as their subsequent changes in the market equilibrium, are justified by the simultaneous quantity game. The results show that the quantities purchased in the spot market for sale in open market influence prices, i.e., when there is an imbalance in the estimated long-term relationship, prices themselves move in order to recover the state of equilibrium, which reveals that, in the long-term, the OMEL Price is weakly exogenous to the cointegration vector, whereas quantities purchased for sale in open market move towards the reestablishment of the long-term equilibrium.

Abstract
The main objective of this chapter is to define a set of strategic lines, from the public policy point of view, so that Portuguese suppliers of the auto industry can deploy a strategic alignment throughout the supply chain in order to position themselves as potential suppliers of the global sourcing strategy of their Iberian Peninsula clients. The characterization of the auto industry in Portugal and Spain is undertaken, framing the perspective of this industry and proposing the strategic guidelines for the Portuguese auto components industry to supply the Iberian market. The study supports a synergistic strategy between the Portuguese auto components industry and the Spanish automotive industry in order to increase the Portuguese incorporation in downstream activities of the supply chain. Portuguese auto components suppliers should adopt international relational strategies throughout the value chain in order to source their Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) clients and to reinforce their position as global suppliers. The strategy involves the consolidation of the Portuguese automotive cluster as global suppliers through specialization.