Abstract
In this paper, smart objects embedded production and quality management functions are proposed, to promote accurately support decision-making processes, from the shop floor level up to higher decision-making levels. The proposed functions contribute for different kind of problems solving in production and quality management, such as production planning and control, scheduling, factory supervision, real-time data acquisition and processing, and real-time decision making. The web access at different middleware devices and tools, at different decision levels, along with the use of integrated algorithms and tools, embedded in smart objects, promotes conditions for better decision-making for optimized use of knowledge and resources in production systems. The relevance of the proposed smart objects embedded production and quality management functions has been validated positively in a manufacturing company.

Abstract
For the project of an Agile/Virtual Enterprise (A/V E) the resources selection is a key factor. The resources systems (output of the selection process) should be prepared to guarantee quality, efficiency and cost-attractiveness, in order to ensure the agility and integrability of the A/V E. This is a difficult matter because it can be a combinatorial and multi-criteria problem. Despite the potential of Value Analysis (VA), none of the resources selection models found in the literature incorporates the evaluation of the resources value. They approach mainly the factors cost and/or time. So, our model constitutes an innovative approach because it gives the highest importance to the value of the resources systems, through the incorporation of VA. The main objective is to quantify the selection process performance with VA integrated into the pre-selection of resources in accordance with the developed model. The paper contribution is the positive confirmation, through the simulation results analysis, of the benefits of VA integration in the resources selection process: greater applicability domain for candidate resources and number of tasks; and reduction of the selection time. In conclusion, the increased efficiency and the superior applicability domain of the model are demonstrated.

Abstract
A Shopping Centre (SC) is a "shop open to the public", installed in a building, which include parking, several shops, technical, management, and shopping arcade. In the current economic climate, the maintenance of complex buildings, like shopping centres, is performed under a tight budget context, and is essentially based on systems conditions. A maintenance model, to be effective, requires that maintenance service performance, covering the different building systems and components, is measured. This paper presents a methodology to measure the performance of SCs maintenance management through two major performance indicators: the Building Performance Indicator (BPI); and the Maintenance Efficiency Indicator (MEI). The results of its implementation to seven shopping centres, in Portugal, show that the general condition of the facilities is good (overall BPI= 86,45%) but the low MEI values (<0,37) indicates that insufficient resources are allocated to maintenance activities and this can compromise the future condition of the facilities.

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.