Abstract
This paper aims at presenting the preliminary results of a research work that seeks to understand the users' response to semantic based technologies, in the context of enterprise sponsored virtual communities. The research follows a qualitative methodology based on an action research approach. It particularly focuses on the socio-cognitive processes that underlie users' learning and acquisition methods when training and interacting with a new knowledge management approach bayed on semantically enabled technologies in a collaborative, and sometimes virtual, learning/working environment. The outcomes of this research are expected to provide an assessment framework for a deeper level understanding of the cognition process in what concerns the evolution of individuals knowledge, opinions, beliefs, and thoughts about ontology based systems.

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
This paper underlines the necessity of developing a framework supported by methodologies and concepts that make it possible to provide instances of the network's global performance management system in collaborative networks, and to simultaneously lead to the necessary alignment of all participants. We propose a way to identify and suggest the requirements to develop a framework that can support a dynamic Performance Management System efficiently through a conceptual schema that enables the implementation.

Abstract
A monitoring mission to study the shape and estimate initial dilution of the S. Jacinto outfall plume using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) was performed on July 30, 2002. In order to reduce the uncertainty about plume location and to concentrate the vehicle mission only in the hydrodynamic mixing zone, outputs of a near-field prediction model, based on effective real-time in situ measurements of current speed and direction and density stratification, were opportunistically used to specify in real time the mission transects. The surface characteristics of the outfall plume were found to be influenced strongly by the relatively weak stratification and low current velocities. Dilution was estimated using a tempera tu re-salinity (TS-) diagram with initial mixing lines between wastewater and ambient waters. Effluent dilutions were at least 30:1 in this study. In order to efficiently map the plume dispersion we applied the least-squares collocation method technique. Our results demonstrate that AUVs can provide high-quality measurements of physical properties of effluent plumes in a quite effective manner and valuable considerations about the initial mixing processes under real oceanic conditions can be further investigated.

Abstract
This paper presents the results of a qualitative study of public transport users and car users in order to obtain a deeper understanding of travellers' attitudes towards transport and to explore perceptions of public transport service quality. The key findings indicate that in order to increase public transport usage, the service should be designed in a way that accommodates the levels of service required by customers and by doing so, attract potential users. Furthermore, the choice of transport is influenced by several factors, such as individual characteristics and lifestyle, the type of journey, the perceived service performance of each transport mode and situational variables. This suggests the need for segmentation taking into account travel attitudes and behaviours. Policies which aim to influence car usage should be targeted at the market segments that are most motivated to change and willing to reduce frequency of car use.

Abstract
This paper presents a method for modelling and monitoring the individual decision process of wine tasting panelllists. The individual decision of approving or rejecting a wine is based on the panellist's evaluation of the wine characteristics. The decision process is modelled through a logistic regression where the dependent variable is the decision itself (rejected-0 or approved-1) and the independent variables are the characteristics that were considered relevant for the wine evaluation. The process is monitored using a CUSUM control chart for binomial proportions. The control chart variable is the number of disagreements observed (in a sample of size N) between the actual decisions of the panellist and the results anticipated by the logistic regression model. The method was tested in the Port Wine Institute. Such a test revealed that the logistic model is a useful tool for clarifying both the way in which the wine evaluation process is carried out, and how the decisions are taken. Furthermore, the test has also showed that the control chart is responsive to significant changes of the individual decision process.