Jorge Renato Verschoore

O campo de estudo sobre redes de cooperação interorganizacional no Brasil

The aim of this article is to provide more evidence on the characteristics of the field of studies of inter-organizational cooperation networks in the Brazilian context. The field research was carried out through a bibliometric study of 116 academic articles published in the major scientific journals in the field of organizational studies between 2000 and 2006. The methodological procedures followed the guidelines of the study of Oliver and Ebers (1998). The main results obtained from the bibliometric study were: (1) four theories - strategy, resource dependence, network and institutional - consolidate a predominant conceptual base in the orientation of the studies; (2) the research was mainly carried out by qualitative and cross sectional methods; (3) horizontal networks, material and immaterial antecedent resources, as well as the learning and innovation outcomes, were the main focus of the studies in the Brazilian context; (4) the theories of strategy, resource dependence, transaction, social network and institutional costs are considerably over-represented with regard to their Bonacich centrality; (5) the network theory had a strong level of betweenness centrality among the many theories considered in this study.

Outcomes in Small-Firm Networks: A Quantitative Study in the Southern Brazilian Context

The small-firm networks have been the focus of increasing preoccupation in applied and academic debates. Interest on the theme has gained momentum through the reflections of authors who point to the structural and strategic transformations derived from the new competitive landscape. Castells (1996), among others, indicates that the traditional firm, operating in an individualized manner, experiences difficulties when facing such new challenges. In order to cope with a broad range of competitive requirements, such as continuous learning and innovation, Perrow (1992) points to the ascension of small-firm networks. Networks unite the flexibility and agility of small firms with the scale and power of conglomerates. A relevant reflection, provided by Thompson (2003), stresses that networks, due to their peculiar ambivalent characteristics, which unite competition and cooperation, scale and scope, and, foremost, hierarchy and market, respond better to competitive demands. ‘The organization is then embedded in relationships with identifiable counterparts. This web of relationships can be called a network’ (Hakansson and Snehota 1989: 191).

Aprendizagem e inovação no contexto das redes de cooperação entre pequenas e médias empresas

O presente artigo visa entender a dinâmica de aprendizagem e de inovacao no contexto das redes de cooperacao entre pequenas e medias empresas, buscando responder a seguinte questao de pesquisa: a cooperacao em rede proporciona condicoes para a aprendizagem e a inovacao junto as empresas associadas? O trabalho fundamenta-se teoricamente em reflexoes de autores que sinalizam que os resultados dos esforcos de aprendizagem e de inovacao estao deslocando-se de um processo unidirecional, individual e endogeno da firma individual para um processo aberto, multidirecional, colaborativo e em rede. A pesquisa foi implementada por meio de duas etapas de coleta de dados: a primeira conduzida por meio de um grupo focal e a segunda realizada por uma survey, aplicada em uma amostra de 816 empresas associadas a redes de cooperacao empresarial. Entre os principais resultados, destaca-se que as redes com maior tempo de existencia, com maior numero de empresas e do setor do comercio foram as que apresentaram maior desempenho em relacao a adocao de novas praticas e lancamento de novos produtos e servicos.

A associação em redes de cooperação influencia os resultados de pequenas e médias empresas

The association in small firm networks has been a decision taken by small and mid-sized companies in order to obtain the gains provided to their members. Several studies have already shown the outcomes obtained by network cooperation, but few managed to verify if such outcomes affect positively the results of the companies that take part of the networks. The main objective of this article is to identify whether the participation in small firm networks influence the results of associated companies. A quantitative research has been conducted on a sample of 816 businesses associated to the cooperation networks formed by a public policy developed by the Government of Rio Grande do Sul State. The results of the survey indicated an increase of 23.64% on company’s revenues after the association with a network. The results also showed that the perception of gains of associated companies is amplified as there is an increase in the number of members and the network grows older. Based on the data, in-depth analyses on the different results achieved by companies linked to the networks were performed. Key words: small firms, networks, interorganizational cooperation, strategy.

Implications of Network Relations for the Governance of Complex Projects

Our article aims to answer the call for studies on new perspectives of complex projects and their governance. We adopt the social network approach to investigate the implications of network relations for the governance of project networks. We analyze quantitative and qualitative data following two theoretical models: flow and coordination. Our results show how the supply, contractual, and information networks influence the governance of project networks. We contribute to the literature explaining the dependence of the project network governance to network relations. It is necessary to use different theoretical models to analyze the coordination and control of complex project networks.

PRÁTICAS ESTRATÉGICAS DE NEGOCIAÇÃO EM REDES DE COOPERAÇÃO

O objetivo desta pesquisa e identificar as praticas estrategicas de negociacao com fornecedores adotadas pelas redes de cooperacao e analisa-las atraves da perspectiva teorica Estrategia como Pratica Social. O metodo empregado pela pesquisa foi desdobrado em duas etapas com procedimentos distintos. Inicialmente foi aplicada uma survey em 50 redes de cooperacao, permitindo a selecao de 14 redes com caracteristicas idoneas que foram analisadas mais detalhadamente por meio de entrevistas em profundidade e coleta documental a fim de manter coerencia com a abordagem da Estrategia como Pratica Social. Tres praticas estrategicas foram identificadas: equipe de negociacao; manual de negociacao e tecnologia extranet. A partir das evidencias obtidas, foi possivel perceber que as tres praticas identificadas se revelam como estrategicas, pois aumentam o potencial de ganho das empresas associadas, alem de fortalecerem a organizacao e colaboracao em rede, uma vez que incentivam a manutencao de mecanismos sociais entre seus membros integrantes.

The Multiple Bases of Social Return Platforms: Evidence of a Brazilian Initiative

ABSTRACT The literature on platforms emphasizes the balance between supply and demand as precursors to network expansion, strategy development and strategy sustainability. This study questions this logic through the exploratory approach of a public platform based on social returns. Results demonstrate that when an institutional force supports a platform concerned with diffuse and collective interests, it is possible that the strategy could sustain and develop without the balance of its forces. The study contributes to the strategic platform literature by pointing out the distinct aspects of social platforms and underlining the support generated by institutions.

Applying social networks to govern the commons: an analysis of a sustainable local development initiative in Brazil

This paper focuses on social networks established to foster local sustainable development. Advances on the field of networks and social interactions have enriched the debate about the governance of sustainable development. Network governance has become a relevant perspective to enhance the collective efforts for sustainability. In this theoretical context, this paper aims to analyse elements that characterised the network governance of four Agenda 21 forums in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The analysis has combined qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative approach applied a social network analysis of secondary data collected from the documents of the Agenda 21 forums selected. The qualitative approach made use of observation techniques, documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with the main actors of the four forums analysed. The results showed that the five elements - common purpose, alignment, involvement, density and centralisation - can ease the attainment of targeted outcomes, as well as contributing to local sustainable development.

Small-Firm Networks: hybrid arrangement or organizational form?

No campo organizacional, o questionamento se as redes configuram ou nao uma forma organizacional estimula os debates sobre o tema. Por um lado, Williamson (1985) sustenta que redes sao arranjos hibridos. Outros autores, como Powell (1990), argumentam que redes constituem uma forma organizacional. Diante dessa problematica, o presente artigo se propoe a analisar as caracteristicas organizacionais das Redes de Pequenas e Medias Empresas (RPME). Para alcancar esse objetivo, foram analisadas 12 RPME em diferentes estagios de desenvolvimento. Os resultados evidenciam que as RPME constituem uma forma organizacional singular onde estrategia, estrutura, coordenacao, processos e relacionamentos possuem fronteiras e identidades delineadas.