Luiz Fernando Paulillo

Álcool combustível e biodiesel no Brasil: quo vadis?

The objective of this study is to make an analysis of the agro-energy chains of the alcohol fuel and bio-diesel, based on the neo-corpora-tivism reference. As a result, one of the challenges of the Brazilian alcohol chain is to select the dimensions of the external and internal market of alcohol that comes out, to make possible a strategically planning of expansion of the offer for sugar cane and alcohol. And the chain of bio-diesel depends, as well as the Proalcohol in its genesis, on a subvention paradigm in its initial phase. Its future depends on the behavior of oil pri-ce and on the direction that the orchestra of interests around bio-diesel.

Formas plurais de governança no sistema agroindustrial citrícola paulista

The citrus agroindustrial system is a very interesting example of the interaction of different forms of governance. The same producer manages his orange sales to the market agents in different ways: this situation is called plural forms or contractual mix. On sales to purchasers that sell the fruit for in natura consumption, the producer deals in terms of spot market. On the other hand, contracts are predominant in transactions with juice-processing industry. The producer can also lease part of the unused capacity of an industry in order to process his own fruit and sell it straight to the market (quasi-integration) or integrate the sale of the in natura fruit becoming the owner of sheds (hierarchy). This work aims at identifying reasons that lead citrus growers to sell their product to different purchasers employing different governances. One of the conclusions on the determinants of plural forms in the case of citrus growing is linked to the fact that buyers from distinct channels of distribution (quantity, quality, fruit variety, location) have specific needs, which create restrictions that make the choice for multiple channels and forms of governance the only one available for many producers. Nevertheless, the main conclusion is that the attributes of the transaction are the key factors to explain the occurrence of plural forms, i.e., it is the fact that transactions between producers and members of distribution channels are different in at least one attribute (specificity of assets, frequency or uncertainty) that explains the adoption of different forms of coordination. As a result, citrus producers do not show inabilities to measure such attributes and, in especial, to identify the most efficient solution in terms of governance, making contractual mix a stable situation rather than a transitory one.

Estruturas de governança em arranjos produtivos locais: um estudo comparativo nos arranjos calçadistas e sucroalcooleiro no estado de São Paulo

La gobernanza en los arreglos productivos se refiere al modo de coordinacion, comando, intervencion y participacion de los actores del arreglo. Debido al significativo aumento del interes de la politica publica en arreglos productivos locales en Brasil es oportuno comprender esa variacion y/o interdependencia de gobernanza de cada arreglo territorial. El presente articulo compara las estructuras de gobernanza en tres arreglos productivos locales (APLs): a) Birigui (calzados infantiles), b) Jau (calzados femeninos) y c) Piracicaba (APL del alcohol). La recoleccion de datos en organizaciones de intereses y en 31 empresas de los tres arreglos paulistas fue realizada por entrevistas en profundidad in loco en las empresas. En el articulo se identifican las diferentes influencias en las gobernanzas de los arreglos productivos. Los resultados de la encuesta revelan: 1) la gobernanza tuvo interferencia positiva en la cooperacion y el desarrollo de las empresas; 2) las posibilidades de desarrollo de los APLs dependen en gran parte de las formas de gobernanza publica o privada; 3) las gobernanzas de esos arreglos productivos locales son heterogeneas, complejas y, en algunos casos, interdependientes con otras distintas; y 4) los actores coordinadores de los arreglos determinan las relaciones, recursos y reglas, proponiendo nuevos ordenes institucionales y organizacionales.

Opportunistic Behavior and Stability of Governances in Automotive Fuel Negotiations in the State of São Paulo (Brazil)

This article evaluates the factors that influence the opportunistic behavior observed in the automotive fuel distribution sector (ethanol and gasoline) and the way this behavior has affected the stability of transactions between distributors and retail gas stations in the State of São Paulo (Brazil). The methodology we adopt in this study is logistic regression. Contracts analysis showed good results in reducing opportunism through fuel adulteration (-68.6 percent), and enforcement by distributors proved effective in curbing opportunism through noncompliance with agreements. We also found that time in the market is a factor conducive to opportunistic behavior, while the application of higher prices is a factor that discourages opportunism.

Rede de relações e poder de negociação: uma análise do caso citrícola brasileiro

This article analyzes the network of citrus agribusiness in Brazil, based on the analysis of the negotiation of power of the individual and collective actors involved. Thus, the evolution of the relationships can be understood in net of the citrus agribusiness starting from the power resources of their individual actors (the resources being constitutional, juridical, organizational, financial and of information) and of the representation and agglutination capacities of their collective actors. The studied case presents a relevant contribution for an entire theoretical line of the normative neo-institutionalism, in which the organization is treated as an arena of interests and conflicting values, marked by the relational character of the power as resource or capacity distributed differently so that, when employee, with the due degree of strategic and tactical ability for the actors, produces and reproduces relationships hierarchically structured of autonomy and dependence.

Plurality in different groupings: sugarcane supply in Brazil

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show the motivations for the existence of plural forms in the sugarcane agribusiness in the western region of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, particularly in the supply of sugarcane to sugar and/or alcohol plants. Design/methodology/approach – This research was conducted by applying interviews with the individuals in charge of the supply from a group of ten plants in this region that compete both for land for planting and for sugarcane itself. Findings – The findings show that plurality was observed in different levels of analysis (clusters): first, the plurality of transactions of sugarcane with different agents; second, plurality in hybrid arrangements or contracts; and finally, plurality in the same transaction. The reasons for the maintenance at Level 1 are various but, balancing the risks of the structures was an important motivator for this decision, while at Levels 2 and 3, the plural forms proved transitory, given the time of the contract and payment methods. Ori...

Coordenação e coesão em grupos de comercialização de etanol da região Centro-Sul do Brasil

One of the major consequences of the deregulation period in the sugar and ethanol industry was the creation of ethanol trading groups. Ethanol producers adopted this strategy to defend themselves against the market power of fuel distributors, which, at that time, imposed very unfavorable price conditions to the production segment. However, coordination problems have always been a characteristic of this industry, which raise doubts about the success of the trading groups to coordinate sales and maintain group cohesion. Based on this point, this paper aims to examine the coordination and cohesion of ethanol trading groups. For this purpose, a multiple case study was conducted, with three of the four trading groups operating in the Central-Southern region in Brazil. The conclusion was that although there are coordination problems, groups, each of them with their characteristics, are successful and allow to balance the power game between manufacturers and distributors.

Características das transações do etanol carburante entre distribuidoras e revendedores

The development of flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil and the need for an alternative energy source to oil (Petroleum) has lead to a reconfiguration of the ethanol distribution process. These changes have brought new opportunities to the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol fuel industry and new directions to the development of ethanol marketing channels in the national and international levels. The present study aims to show how transactions between ethanol distributors and retail stations occur. The research was conducted as a multiple case study by collecting data through in-person interviews in nine companies which are representative members of the ethanol marketing channels (distributors and retail stations) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The data analysis was performed using the cost transactions economics theory to evaluate the variables used in the analysis (business specificities, frequency, and transaction risks). The results indicate that the most important specificities of the fuel distributors business are related to physical specificities such as locational and brand assets. With regard to the retail stations, the major specificities identified were the same, except for the physical and locational assets. Governance forms based on contractual and spot market stand out in the relationship between the two agents investigated

Análise do alinhamento entre os atributos das transações e as formas de governanças empregadas na citricultura

In citrus production, the producer coordinates his sales transactions with agents of distribution channels employing different structures of governance. In sales to packing houses, middlemen, retailers and the institutional market, the producer utilizes transactions carried out in the spot market. In contrast, where the deals are with the juice-processing industry, contractual arrangements are predominant. There are also producers who act as distribution channels, integrating sales of the in natura fruit to the end consumer (hierarchy). This work aims to analyze the transactions performed by citrus producers, according to the attributes proposed by Williamson (1985 and 1991) in the field of Transaction Cost Economics (frequency, uncertainty and specificity of assets) in order to verify if the forms of coordination employed link up with the producers deals aligned to those attributes. We conclude that such an alignment exists and there is no inability on the part of citrus producers or members of the orange distribution channels to measure the dimensions of their transactions as well as to identify the most efficient solution in terms of governance, i.e. that which minimizes transaction costs.

Formas plurais no setor de distribuição de combustível automotivo brasileiro: avaliação do perfil e estabilidade das governanças plurais no Estado de São Paulo

This paper aims to study the governance of transactions adopted by fuel distributors with gas station retailers in the state of Sao Paulo. With the market deregulation, there are plural forms allowed on the market. This paper argues that the plural forms found are transitory, not as a result of increased efficiency and reduced transaction costs, but because plural forms have become a key strategic step in securing business partners and promoting greater growth of the firm. Moreover, it is argued that the institutional environment has a significant influence on the coordination of plural forms, directly interfering with their stability.