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 internationalization of firms is a growing important phenomenon in the Economy. Thus, to face the new competitive challenges of globalized markets, industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to implement new organizational approaches to take on new challenges in international markets. Based on a case study, this chapter reviews the literature on internationalization theories. Drawing on the network-based approach and on the resource-based view of the firm, we examine how collaborative new product development processes played a fundamental role in the internationalization process of a SME using a relationship-based perspective. The featured case concerns to a successful ex-small technical textile firm that leveraged its competitive strategy, climbed up the value chain, and extended its international activities following a technology-based path.

Abstract
The main purpose of this article is to investigate early supplier involvement (ESI) in collaborative new product development (CNPD). For that a comparative study between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large firms was implemented according to the generated innovation. It is based on an exploratory approach, based on case studies involving four firms that involve their suppliers in CNPD. Results show that ESI in CNPD takes place when large firms seek to differentiate their products and SMEs aim to increase their efficiency. The paper further shows the radical innovation promotes ESI in CNPD, both regarding SMEs and large firms. This study contributes to the body knowledge regarding the influence of radical innovation in early supplier involvement in CNPD, by adding a comparative perspective between SMEs and large firms.

Abstract
The existing literature on internationalization and purchasing is vast; however, the inward internationalization perspective is an under-researched topic. In this chapter, the authors review the literature on internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to understand the main reasons behind international purchasing and the role of experience on internationalization. Using a survey and descriptive statistics, the results from 56 respondents show that SMEs source from a small number of countries and hold those relationships for several years. The main reasons underlying international purchases are lower prices and better product quality, regardless of goods availability on the domestic market. This chapter has some limitations concerning its exploratory nature, pertaining to its sample size. Some future research avenues are presented such as a deeper look on how internationalization processes differ when SMEs begin their activity by inward rather than by outward activities.

Abstract

Abstract
dado o interesse premente, não só da comunidade académica como do mundo empresarial, sobre a internacionalização das empresas, esta investigação faz uma revisão da literatura empírica sobre a internacionalização de Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PME) no continente americano, a partir das principais bases de dados académicas. Partindo de um conjunto de 329 artigos, este estudo analisa em pormenor 39 destes, entre 1999 e 2014, contribuindo significativamente para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento e da compreensão da investigação feita até à data nesta área. Com esta análise, foram identificadas tendências e padrões, podendo concluir-se que a investigação feita sobre a internacionalização de PME centra-se nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá, influenciada sobretudo por quatro grandes tópicos: teorias da internacionalização, estratégia, desempenho e perspetiva internacional. Conclui-se igualmente que há uma predominância quantitativa. As conclusões e interpretações sobre oportunidades para futuras investigações são de relevância tanto para a comunidade académica como para a empresarial.