Francisco Lima Cruz Teixeira

Redes de aprendizado em sistemas complexos de produção

This paper is an attempt to demonstrate that firm networks is the typical institutional arrangement of Complex Production Systems, marked by a strong specialization of participating agents and an intense complementarity among them. In this type of arrangement, the firm in charge of network governance needs to stimulate the search for collective efficiency. This search, in turn, given the frequent heterogeneity among agents, ends up inducing the formation of a learning network. In spite of the fact that the accumulated knowledge on learning networks is precarious, it is possible to recommend, based on a literature review and the example of a learning network being implemented in Brazil, the following points: the network needs a clear purpose translatable in a target to be met by a learning process; it is necessary to create a structure, which can be virtual, and define resources and mechanisms to be used in the implementation and support of the network; it should be tried to forecast, departing from other experiences, the inevitable difficulties that would come up in the design and implementation of such networks.

Adotando a tecnologia de informação: análise da implementação de sistemas de "groupware"

O objetivo deste trabalho e o de explorar a relacao entre tecnologia e organizacoes a partir da discussao de como a tecnologia da informacao (TI) interage com a estrutura e os agentes humanos. Para tanto, alem de explorar teoricamente o tema, visando obter-se um modelo de analise adequado, analisa-se a implantacao de sistemas de informacao, especificamente de software para o trabalho cooperativo (groupware), em duas organizacoes. Buscou-se identificar a motivacao para a adocao de tais sistemas e a associacao existente entre a tecnologia e o ambiente organizacional, no que se refere a estrutura e a acao de agentes. As conclusoes apontam a validade do modelo teorico adotado na analise e a necessidade da interacao permanente entre os elementos estruturais, os agentes humanos e a tecnologia, quando se objetiva atingir resultados diferenciados.

Inserção de um agente indutor da relação universidade-empresa em sistema de inovação fragmentado

The objective of this work is to explore the context in which the Instituto Euvaldo Lodi has induced University-Enterprise relations within the local Science and Technology System in Bahia, Brazil, between 1996 and 1998. In order to do so, the authors analyses a few relevant aspects of the Brazilian Innovation System and its Bahia sub-system. Such analysis takes into account three basic points of view: that of the productive sector (i.e., how the intra-firm work is organized and how inter-firm exchanges affect the system), that of the State (financial support and public policies) and that of the research and higher education institutions. Against this background, the authors describes the IEL programs for bridging university knowl-edge and entrepreneurial practice in Bahia, aiming at creating better conditions for technological innovation. Among the main conclusions of this dissertation is the realization that, in spite of the limited potential of innovation in technologically fragmented environments, the bridging work of agents such as IEL may promote specific interactions between enterprises and universities, creating an environment in which information exchange, cooperative projects and consulting activities may be stimulated.

Knowledge cities: a taxonomy for analyzing software and information service clusters

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as “knowledge cities” because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.

Desenvolvimento industrial e tecnologia: revisão da literatura e uma proposta de abordagem

This presents an overview of the theoretical perspectives on industrial development and technological development. It goes further to present the main components of an alternative approach, called political economy approach.

Cidades do Conhecimento: Uma Taxonomia para Analisar Clusters de Software e Serviços

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as “knowledge cities” because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.

A sobrevivência das pequenas empresas no desenvolvimento capitalista

The survival of small companies in the capitalist development. The role of small companies in capitalist development has raised, throughout the years, the analytical curiosity of economists and other social scientists. In spite of the enormous disadvantages that they possess in competing with big capital, there are innumerable reasons for their survival. The empirical evidence is clear in attesting the importance of small companies in terms of GDP share and job creation and, at the same time, their difficulties for surviving. This paper presents a theoretical revision, departing from Marx, Marshall, Steindl and Schumpeter up to some contemporary authors, concerning the role of the small companies in capitalist development, emphasizing the reasons and the difficulties for its survival.

Decisões de investimento e movimentos de reestruturação: um modelo de análise da indústria petroquímica

The aim of this paper is to propose a model of analysis of the investment decisions in the petrochemical industry highlighting the main variables which have bringing them about and causing the restructuring movements in the sector. The structure/conduct/ performance (SCP) model (widely used in the industrial economics literature) as well as the structural characteristics of the petrochemical industry support the analytical model proposed in this work. The application of the model to the period from 2000 onwards showed that, among the proposed variables, the access to raw material and to the most dynamic markets came out to be the most important ones to launch restructuring movements in the petrochemical industry.

After 20 years, what has remained of TQM?

Purpose - – Many Brazilian organizations have adopted total quality management (TQM). However, this model has lost prominence in academic and business environments. The purpose of this paper is to determine which aspects of TQM have endured over 20 years. Design/methodology/approach - – With descriptive and exploratory objectives, this study used case studies of four companies that have adopted TQM, using temporal and comparative approaches in Brazil. The analysis explores the transcendence of disseminated aspects of TQM. Findings - – The results revealed 19 percent disuse of TQM practices, 28 percent disuse of TQM tools and 57 percent disuse of TQM methodologies. However, the principles of TQM showed an average use of 96 percent, i.e. the predominant management philosophy remains part of the organizational environment of the companies. Although many practices, tools and methodologies are not described or named in the same way, their essence remains preserved and other practices, tools and methodologies have been incorporated into the automated systems of the companies. Research limitations/implications - – Simple statistical tools are used as we use an exploratory and qualitative approach (with just four samples), making generalizations impossible. For future research the authors suggest a more quantitative approach using more complex statistical tools. Originality/value - – The originality is demonstrated by the investigation of the cases of disuse, which contradicts most studies that analyze success stories. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of how certain aspects of the models or “fads” survive or disappear over time.

Innovation in Innovation Management: the Experience of Petrobras Centers and Networks of Excellence Program

Since 1996, Petrobras – Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., the biggest company in Latin America, has supported the development of a method to structure networks of partnerships called Centers and Networks of Excellence Practice (PCREX). It aims to support the establishment of centers and networks of excellence in areas in which innovation depends heavily on the articulation of various players from outside the company and different internal areas. This article presents the results of the analysis of the PCREX method, including its characterization and field research carried out in eight Centers and Networks of Excellence developed by Petrobras. The field research and subsequent analysis helped identify (i) the alignment between the PCREX method and the best innovation management practices and (ii) the difficulties faced by new management models based on resource and knowledge sharing, which highlights that organizational innovations need to be able to count on strong institutional support to succeed.