This paper explores state-economy relations in an understudied European country, i.e. Portugal. Main research questions are: How does the country fit into the Varieties of Capitalism conceptual framework? Are there specific patterns that define the case as a distinct model of statist economy? The research is influenced by Becker's open, historical institutionalist approach to capitalism (Becker, U. 2009. Open Varieties of Capitalism. Continuity, Change and Performances. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan). The paper offers a macro-account of major transformations in state ownership, in democratic Portugal, followed by analysis of state-economy relations at a sectorial level, namely in the waste management sector. Findings suggest that Portuguese capitalism has evolved from statist socialism into a formally liberalised economy but, in reality, it re-configured into a model of state-dependency perpetuated by the allocation of vast external resources. From large-scale owner to large-scale privatizer, the state adjusted its role as a large-scale aggregator.

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The small-business sector faces a persistent dilemma: small firms often lack the human skills and financial resources to modernize and compete. How, then, can small firms overcome collective action problems to forge sector-wide modernization? This paper examines the political dynamics and the process of institutional change that underpin successful industrial upgrading through a comparative, longitudinal analysis of two policy experiments aiming at the modernization of small firm sectors in Portugal. Relying on comparative-historical analysis and process tracing, this study shows that successful industrial upgrading relies on intense and sustained political action, led by strong and stable interest leadership, in the pursuit of well-defined developmental benchmarks, and relying on the implementation of political, organizational and financial strategy according to a specific logic and sequence.

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Information systems (IS) play an important role in contemporary society, but critical questions remain on their impact on democracy. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon. In order to do so, the study develops an innovative methodological approach. Drawing from Design Science Research (DSR), we build conceptual pairs between core preoccupations explored by critical thought on democracy and available problem-solving information technologies. The study does not aim at an exhaustive analysis of problems and solutions; this would be unfeasible, considering the limitations of journal article format. Rather, it aims at early-stage methodology incorporation across disciplines that draw from different research paradigms. The findings will offer a preliminary probe on the analytical input of DSR conceptual artefacts in examining functional links between information systems and political outcomes.