Abstract
Considering the pressing interest of the academic community and the business world over the internationalization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (smes), this research is aimed to review the empirical literature about smes’ internationalization processes in the American continent, according to information included in the main academic databases. This study makes an in-depth analysis of 39 papers (out of a group of 329) published between 1999 and 2014, contributing to the construction of knowledge and the understanding of research in this field. This work allowed identifying patterns and trends, as well as concluding that smes’ internationalization research is USA-and-Canada-centered and is largely influenced by four main topics: internationalization theories, strategy, performance and international perspectives. According to the results, it is also concluded that research studies have mainly followed a quantitative approach. Conclusions and interpretations of opportunities for future research are important for both the academic community and the business world.

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.

Abstract
This article analyzes the strategic bilateral bidding behavior in the Spanish electricity wholesale market (OMEL). The collection of data includes information regarding weekly averages of spot prices, the quantity bid in the wholesale market, the quantities purchased in the wholesale market and sold in the open market, and the behavior of conduct parameters for the period from January 2002 to April 2007 for the four largest firms of the Spanish electricity market: Endesa, Iberdrola, Unin Fenosa and Hidrocantabrico. This article employs the New Empirical Industrial Organization approach. The empirical analysis was based on the autoregressive distributed lag approach to cointegration and on the Toda-Yamamoto Granger causality tests to validate the standard version of the theoretical formulation of the standard Cournot model, and its theoretical extension, to encompass the hypothesis of the presence of bid interdependence for electricity quantities sold and bought in the Spanish electricity wholesale market. The results of cointegration and causality analysis reinforce the empirical results of the extended Cournot model with the inclusion of the two main bidding variables that solved the optimization problem of profit maximization for each of the four firms analyzed.

Abstract
Considering the importance of innovation and supply chain (SC) management for firms' competitiveness and the growing interest for the relationship between these two areas, this conceptual paper aims to answer the following research question: how does the fit between the different innovation strategies and SC strategies influence business performance? A literature review was conducted as the basis for developing a conceptual framework, using the principles of resource-based view and contingency theory. Different innovation and SC strategies are studied and discussed with respect to the expected effects of fit on business performance. Five propositions and a conceptual framework are presented showing the complexity of the relationship between both strategies. The conceptual model put forward helps to advance research in the area allowing for an interrelationship between innovation and SC strategies, something that has not been adequately researched, and provides insights for managers who are seeking substantive improvement of business performance.

Abstract

Abstract
This chapter analyzes the retail banking behavior in Portugal for the period between 2008 and 2010. The data collection took place through the accounting consultation of the reports and accounts of the years under analysis. The selected variables reflect the strategic actions of retail banking during the period under analysis, and it can be argued that retail banking in Portugal has clear differences among players over time. In particular, banking institutions have different competitive strategies, the strategic groups do not have similar resources, and strategies also differ between strategic groups. This reflects the competitive structure of the national retail banking industry.