Abstract
There is growing evidence that internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has become a priority to gain competitive advantage. However, SMEs still face major challenges and obstacles during these processes. This paper proposes a model of collaborative networks for internationalization processes of SMEs, mediated by industrial enterprise associations (IEAs), in order to improve decision-making processes. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to study the impact that networks and collaboration have in the decision-making process of internationalization. Then, the model was developed using adequate information and knowledge management tools. Finally, to understand the relevance of the proposed model, data were gathered through interviews to key persons in companies of the IT/electronics and textile industries. Results showed that collaborative networks can represent an important facilitator in the internationalization of SMEs and that IEAs can have a fundamental role for promoting collaboration in this domain, between associated SMEs.

Abstract
Information and knowledge can be seen as key resources for improving the internationalisation processes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Collaboration has also been considered as an important facilitator of these processes, particularly by nurturing information and knowledge sharing. However, the current literature is unclear about the way SMEs can access information and assimilate knowledge in a collaborative network context, to support decision-making. This paper systematically reviews the literature, examining the role of information, knowledge and collaboration in internationalisation decisions of SMEs. To this end, 38 relevant journal articles were analysed, with the identification of some important issues, as well as gaps in the existing empirical knowledge. This analysis provided valuable input for the development of research suggestions and directions for future work in this area.

Abstract
This study explores strategic agility of an automotive corporate group and its influence on facility layouts and operational performance. Strategic agility is viewed here as a firm's strategic intent to achieve agile operations through collaboratively deploying the layouts of a set of facilities, driven by a management focus on improving its responsiveness and adaptability to customers' requirements. Our "collaborative multi-facility layout problem" involves the physical organization of departments between and inside several facilities geographically dispersed, that collaborate in manufacturing a complex product in a given time window. The model proposed in this work allows us to analyse the benefits of new horizontal collaboration forms with respect to several objectives, namely costs (material handling inside and between facilities, re-layout) and adjacency between departments. A case study of a first tier supplier in the automotive industry shows the applicability potential of the approach to real-life problems. The results show that horizontal collaboration among the facilities can positively influence the performance of the corporate group as a whole, and that of each firm individually.

Abstract
This paper presents an innovative approach to solve the product-launch planning problem in the pharmaceutical industry, with uncertainty on the product demand and on clinical trials. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, incorporating Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), was developed for optimizing the process design (process-unit allocation and scale-up decisions) and for capacity planning (acquisition of new units), considering the products that still require development, and the products that are already in commercialization. MCS is performed in a two-step procedure, based on Normal and Bernoulli distributions, in order to capture the effects of demand variability and trials pass-fail uncertainty, respectively. Product-launch decisions are made taking into account the probability distributions of alternative process designs, of new capacity requirements, and of the coefficients of the objective function. The applicability of the proposed solution approach is demonstrated in an illustrative case study.

Abstract
This paper presents part of the findings of a research project aiming at characterising high-performance collaborative business networks and at defining the conditions required for their creation and management. The project adopted a multiple case study research strategy and three different business networks are presented in this paper. Empirical studies have been performed in Northern Portugal. The results of the study include operational definitions based on a comprehensive literature review, a conceptual reference framework for the analysis of high-performance collaborative networks and recommendations for the creation and management of such networks.

Abstract
This paper studies the Facility Layout Problem (FLP) of a first tier supplier in the automotive industry. This complex manufacturing system involves multiple facilities, complex products, and layout reconfiguration constraints. One of the key requirements of this particular system is the need for high levels of flexibility in the reconfiguration of the layouts. This problem is formulated as a mixed-integer programming (MIP), based on a FLP model with multiple objectives and unequal areas. The model allows for two reconfiguration types: small and large changes. We explore the application of optimization methodologies to produce efficient and flexible layouts.