Abstract
To compete in globalized business environments, manufacturing firms, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), need to be collaborative with respect to their total product life cycle. In this research, a focus on complex products is proposed and a new approach to structure collaboration in design and operational activities is suggested. A complete framework and guidelines for collaborative product design, development and manufacturing is proposed with respect to two product development scenarios: Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Customize-to-Order (CTO). The ETO scenario, which is project-based, and the CTO scenario, which is platform-based, are employed to respond to individualized and market driven production strategies respectively. The CTO scenario is developed using the platform-based product family concept, following a new approach that uses a product configurator and white boxes to assure sustainable customization. The research also explains how the transition from ETO to CTO can be implemented, aiming at improving the customization level and profitability of SMEs. The overall results, lessons learned and future research directions conclude the paper.

Abstract
A business community where communication can be streamlined, information shared and trust can be built can be considered as a collaborative network promoting SMEs long term sustainability by assuring quick response, fast time to market, differentiated offerings and competitive prices. This collaboration could be orchestrated both in hierarchical and non-hierarchical forms depending on the firms size, capacity and objectives. In this research, we have considered non-hierarchical networking among firms, especially for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), where the basic requirements are related with choosing appropriate business partners, building trust and sharing valuable information among them. In order to articulate the concept of this non-hierarchical collaboration, six pilot SMEs were analyzed and a methodological approach to manage these environments is proposed. A generic overview of different variables or factors necessary to build such business collaboration are presented and discussed critically in this study.

Abstract
Needs and expectations of specific target groups - such as elderly, obese, disabled, or diabetic persons- are arising as challenging opportunities for European companies which are asked to supply small series of functional and fashionable goods of high quality, affordable price and eco-compatible. In order to design, develop, produce and distribute such products, a new framework and related components of collaborative networking need to be developed, enabling the product to stay as long as digital to produce on-demand. Research is necessary in many topics like: a) consumer integrated collaborative eco-oriented design, b) radical renewal by the adoption of Rapid Manufacturing technologies; and c) the overall integration and co-ordination of business processes and information exchange by a set of new (web)services for network design and adhoc (re-)configuration, for real-time planning, forecasting and replenishment, d) tracking and tracing of ecology and quality. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2010.

Abstract
The Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the North of Portugal (CCDR-N) promoted NORTINOV 2015, a project created to define a regional innovation strategy for the North of Portugal based on automotive clusters and Information Technology, Communication and Electronics (ITCE) clusters. Accordingly, it developed a technology forecast for the year 2015 in order to help the North of Portugal cope with the intensifying global competition and rapid technological changes. This paper describes the methodology used to identify critical technologies for the regional economy of the North of Portugal under the project NORTINOV 2015. It involved three main steps: technology identification and study, in which a list of emerging technologies was implemented; refinement of emerging technologies, in which 90 technologies were identified and finally, classification and hierarchisation of technologies, in which 30 technologies were identified as critical for the crafting of regional innovation strategy. In this final step, a workshop involving major stakeholders of the three clusters under study played a major role. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
Current market dynamics require European SME's to focus on complex products manufacturing and to build non-hierarchical business networks, to assure competitiveness and sustainability. Such trend demands appropriate methods for network formation and management, including reference collaboration processes and supporting ICT tools. This paper presents a framework to support SME's in the creation and management of non-hierarchical networks designed and developed within the European RTD project Net-Challenge. This framework includes methodologies, processes and ICT decision support tools aiming at the efficient creation and management of these networks assuring quick response times and competitive and differentiated offerings.

Abstract
Event management in non-hierarchical networks is based on agile collaboration processes to address events which are inevitable and more difficult to deal with in such complex type of organisation but, on the other hand, can benefit from a higher potential of expertise and resources. In this paper, a first approach of a theoretical framework is proposed, identifying the main concepts and explaining the mechanisms present when dealing with expected and unexpected events in the operation of non-hierarchical production networks. It is demonstrated that this approach is relevant to cope with the level of complexity of non-hierarchical networks and to assure the desired level of performance. © 2011 The Authors.