Technological coevolution in the electric energy sector

Resumen El objetivo en este artículo es analizar cómo se produce la coevolución de las capacidades tecnológicas de filiales de energía eléctrica y pequeñas y medianas empresas (PyMEs) que se relacionan a partir de proyectos de Investigación y Desarrollo (I&D). El análisis tiene como base las siguientes variables: aprendizaje, redes y autonomía, que forman el constructo de Embeddedness referente a la relación que estas empresas establecen entre sí. Para lograr el objetivo propuesto, los autores han llevado a cabo entrevistas con el fin de examinar las características presentes en cada variable. Como resultado, se encuentra una evolución en las capacidades tecnológicas tanto de las filiales como de las empresas asociadas después del desarrollo de los proyectos. Esta acumulación se logra por medio de la relación con los niveles de Embeddedness (aprendizaje y redes); una relación que se muestra directamente proporcional al comienzo de los proyectos e inversamente proporcional a su término. Este cambio en la relación entre las variables destaca la capacidad que las empresas desarrollan para absorber y acumular el conocimiento adquirido, incluso cuando la asociación o colaboración ya ha terminado.O artigo objetiva analisar como ocorre a coevolução das Capacidades Tecnológicas de subsidiárias de energia elétrica e Pequenas e Médias Empresas que se relacionam a partir da execução de projetos de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento. A análise é baseada nas seguintes variáveis: aprendizado, network e autonomia, as quais, juntas, formam o constructo Embeddedness referente ao envolvimento que estas empresas estabelecem entre si. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, os autores realizaram entrevistas visando diagnosticar as características presentes dentro de cada variável. Como resultado encontrou-se uma evolução nas capacidades tecnológicas tanto das subsidiárias como das empresas parceiras após o desenvolvimento dos projetos. Este acúmulo é conseguido através da relação com os níveis de Envolvimento (aprendizado e network); relação esta que se apresenta diretamente proporcional no início dos projetos e inversamente proporcional ao final deles. Esta mudança na relação entre as variáveis destaca a capacidade que as empresas desenvolvem em absorver e acumular o conhecimento adquirido mesmo quando já finalizada a parceria.This article analyzes the co-evolution of technological capabilities of electric companies’ subsidiaries and Small and Medium Enterprises connected through common Research and Development projects. The analysis is based on the following variables: learning, network and autonomy, which together form the construct of Embeddedness, i.e. the level of involvement these companies develop. In order to achieve the objectives, the authors conducted interviews aiming to identify the characteristics of each variable. As a result, an evolution in the technological capabilities was found, in both the subsidiaries and the partner companies, after the development of the projects. This accumulation is achieved through the relationship with the levels of Embeddedness (learning and network); and such relationship is directly proportional in the beginning of the projects and inversely proportional in the end. The change in the relationship between variables highlights the companies’ capacity to absorb and accumulate the acquired knowledge even when the partnership has already ended

Evidências da acumulação de capacitação tecnológica de uma empresa a partir da sua participação em uma licitação pública

Bibliografia: p. 264-267O estudo descreve a trajetória de acumulação de conhecimento no período de 2005 a 2012 de uma fabricante de equipamentos ferroviários instalada no interior do Nordeste do Brasil. Com base em um modelo adaptado de Figueiredo (2001) e Castro e Figueiredo (2005), procurou-se avaliar o aprendizado nas atividades de engenharia de projetos, processo, produto e equipamentos de uma empresa não líder tecnológica a partir da sua participação em uma licitação. Os resultados mostram que a empresa se capacitou para: (i) participar de novos processos licitatórios no país; (ii) ingressar em novos mercados; (iii) construir capacidades inovadoras; (iv) executar uma estratégia de aproximação da fronteira tecnológica; e (v) estruturar uma rede de relacionamentos industriais. A empresa alcançou novos patamares tecnológicos - conforme defendido por Bell e Pavitt (1993; 1995), Lall (1982; 1987; 1992) e Figueiredo (2000; 2001; 2009), por meio de experiências concretas de produção - em linha com o apresentado por Chang e Lin (2009).The study describes the path taken by a manufacturer of railway equipment, set up in Brazil’s Northeast, in which know-how was accumulated between 2005 and 2012. Based on the model adapted from Figueiredo (2001), and Castro and Figueiredo (2005), this paper seeks to assess the learning curve in engineering activities for projects, processes, products and equipments of a company that is not a technological leader, focusing on its participation in a government procurement process. The results show that the company built up its capacity to: (i) take part in new procurement processes in the country; (ii) enter new markets; (iii) build up innovative capacities; (iv) carry out a strategy to improve its technological know-how; and (v) structure a network of industrial relations. The company moved to a new level of technological know-how - as was defended by Bell and Pavitt (1993; 1995), Lall (1982; 1987; 1992) and Figueiredo (2000; 2001; 2009), by means of concrete experiences in production - in accordance with the theory presented by Chang and Lin (2009)

Mantendo-se Inovadoras: O papel do Desempenho Passado, da Capacidade Absortiva e da Internacionalização

Emerging markets firms are tardy regarding innovativeness and international orientation. Despite that, some of these firms are becoming increasingly competitive regarding innovation and internationalization. It is still unclear how these firms acquire and maintain an innovative capacity. To address this gap we propose and test a framework that integrates the role of past performance as a proxy to investment capacity, realized and potential absorptive capacity and internationalization and their influences on innovativeness, through a survey of 202 Brazilians firms from the Information Technology industry. The results showed the potential and realized absorptive capacity partially mediates the relationship between past performance and innovativeness, and internationalization moderates the relationship between potential absorptive capacity and innovativeness.Empresas de mercados emergentes são consideradas tardias a respeito de inovação e orientação internacional. Apesar disso, algumas dessas empresas estão se tornando cada vez mais competitivas em termos de inovação e internacionalização. Ainda não é claro como essas empresas adquirem e mantêm a capacidade inovativa. Para acessar essa lacuna, nós propomos e testamos um modelo que integra o papel do desempenho passado como uma proxy para capacidade de investimento, da capacidade absortiva (realizada e potencial) e da internacionalização sobre a capacidade inovativa das empresas por meio de uma survey com 202 empresas brasileiras da indústria de tecnologia da informação. Os resultados demonstraram que tanto a capacidade absortiva realizada quanto a capacidade absortiva potencial agem como mediadoras do relacionamento entre desempenho passado e capacidade inovativa e que a internacionalização modera o relacionamento entre a capacidade absortiva potencial e a capacidade inovativa

INTERNATIONALIZATION OF BRAZILIAN FRANCHISE CHAINS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The primary goal of this paper is to comprehend the fundamental organizational differences between Brazilian franchise chains that only operate in the home market and Brazilian franchise chains that operate internationally. The sample chosen for this study comprehends 96 Brazilian franchises operating in the home market and 67 franchises with international operations; logistic regression was used to analyze data obtained from these sources. Our findings suggest that the development of a brand in international operations can be strategic for certain Brazilian franchise chains; this seems to be, however, a scarce resource for many franchises and it could be developed through international operations. With regard to the fees charged, the outcomes demonstrate that Brazilian franchises with international operations tend to charge lower fees from its franchisees to install new units. Regarding the monitoring and control of franchises, there is evidence that the monitoring capability is one of the determining factors in the development of Brazilian franchises international operations

Entrevista com o professor Ronaldo Parente: o árduo caminho para publicações internacionais de alto impacto

No mês de setembro, a InternexT entrevistou um dos brasileiros com maior destaque mundial no cenário de Estudos sobre Negócios Internacionais. A entrevista foi feita para poder compartilhar as reflexões do entrevistado, sobre o caminho a ser trilhado para publicar em periódicos de alto impacto. A entrevista foi conduzida pelo editor da Internext, Ilan Avrichir e editada com a colaboração de Silvio Luís de Vasconcellos.O entrevistado é o professor Ronaldo Couto Parente, natural do Rio de Janeiro, engenheiro civil, formado na UNIFOR – Universidade de Fortaleza, tem Ph.D. em gestão estratégica em negócios internacionais pela Temple University, nos Estados Unidos e mestrado em finanças pela Universidade de Tampa. Além de editor e revisor em periódicos de impacto na área de negócios internacionais e estratégia, possui publicações em todos os cinco principais periódicos especializados e        m sua linha, nos últimos dez anos. É professor titular da Florida International University, de Miami e professor colaborador na Fundação Getúlio Vargas, EBAPE, Rio de Janeiro.Publicar no JIBS é o sonho de qualquer pesquisador da área de negócios internacionais.  O que você pode dizer para pesquisadores que queiram publicar no JIBS?Prof. Ronaldo Parente: Antes de mais nada, me permita fazer uma correção, que pode parecer um tanto arrogante, mas acredito que é importante no contexto da nossa entrevista. Esse meu artigo sobre catch-up e A Embrapa que recentemente foi publicado no JIBS, em maio de 2020, é o meu quinto artigo nesse periódico. Um sexto encontra-se em processo de revisão e deve ser sair em breve. Penso que esse adendo pode contribuir ainda mais em responder sua pergunta

Networks, R&D Projects and Subsidiary Behavior in a Host Country

This article aims to verify how multinational subsidiaries establish their networks in a host country. The literature addresses only networks formed between the subsidiary and its mother and sister companies. However, to consider the external network is essential, because the subsidiaries are not a mere receptor of knowledge from the headquarters, they develop their own capability for creating knowledge and innovation for the multinational. To examine the creation of these networks, this paper focuses on two subsidiaries located in Brazil belonging to a group that carries out R&D projects in partnership with several organizations in the country and creates research and development networks in their sector. To analyze the network characteristics, the authors used Ucinet and NetDraw software and found the following results: (a) geographic distance is a driver in establishing partnership among subsidiaries and executor organizations; (b) the majority of the relationships are tied between a company and a research organization, showing that theoretical knowledge and practical experience are considered by companies to develop and market project outcomes; and (c) although the subsidiaries belong to the same group, they do not have strong ties

Networks, R&D Projects and Subsidiary Behavior in a Host Country

Abstract This article aims to verify how multinational subsidiaries establish their networks in a host country. The literature addresses only networks formed between the subsidiary and its mother and sister companies. However, to consider the external network is essential, because the subsidiaries are not a mere receptor of knowledge from the headquarters, they develop their own capability for creating knowledge and innovation for the multinational. To examine the creation of these networks, this paper focuses on two subsidiaries located in Brazil belonging to a group that carries out R&D projects in partnership with several organizations in the country and creates research and development networks in their sector. To analyze the network characteristics, the authors used Ucinet and NetDraw software and found the following results: (a) geographic distance is a driver in establishing partnership among subsidiaries and executor organizations; (b) the majority of the relationships are tied between a company and a research organization, showing that theoretical knowledge and practical experience are considered by companies to develop and market project outcomes; and (c) although the subsidiaries belong to the same group, they do not have strong ties.</div

A critical assessment of Brazilian manufacturing competitiveness in foreign markets

Purpose – This study aims to examine the competitiveness of firms operating in the emerging economy of Brazil. This study examines the current perception of Brazilian business leaders regarding the level of competitiveness in various sectors of industrial activity and the country’s business environment. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were collected in a joint study developed by Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) and the Brazilian Institute of Economics (IBRE). The population surveyed was composed of businessmen, managers and directors of Brazilian manufacturing firms. This survey was created based on a similar survey conducted by the Harvard Business School, which was also aimed at identifying the reasons behind national loss of competitiveness. Findings – The results of the survey point out that the worsening competitive nature of companies operating in Brazil can be primarily attributed to the deterioration of its country-specific advantages and in particular those linked to government policies, services and bureaucratic procedures, all of which bear a negative impact on the country’s business environment. Research imitations/implications – Future research should explore in more depth the specific types of initiatives that these firms have and are continuing to eagerly adopt with the aim of improving their domestic competitiveness and, namely, firm-specific advantages, whether it be by contributing to the improvement of the business environment as a whole, or by improving their own operations and management systems. Practical implications – The main obstacles related to competitiveness are associated with the “Brazil Cost”, namely,thetaxsystem,infrastructure,politicalsystem,laborlawsandbureaucracythatdonotappeartooffermuchroom for maneuvering in terms of reducing these barriers in the short term. Managers not addressing these important input factors of competitiveness not only divert attention away from innovation and creativity but also could lead to more serious political, social welfare and economic implications in the global marketplace. Social implications – This study helps to gain a better understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whole. Originality/value – This research contributes to the understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to improve firm competitiveness in Brazil. These initiatives contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whol

A critical assessment of Brazilian manufacturing competitiveness in foreign markets

Purpose – This study aims to examine the competitiveness of firms operating in the emerging economy of Brazil. This study examines the current perception of Brazilian business leaders regarding the level of competitiveness in various sectors of industrial activity and the country’s business environment. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were collected in a joint study developed by Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) and the Brazilian Institute of Economics (IBRE). The population surveyed was composed of businessmen, managers and directors of Brazilian manufacturing firms. This survey was created based on a similar survey conducted by the Harvard Business School, which was also aimed at identifying the reasons behind national loss of competitiveness. Findings – The results of the survey point out that the worsening competitive nature of companies operating in Brazil can be primarily attributed to the deterioration of its country-specific advantages and in particular those linked to government policies, services and bureaucratic procedures, all of which bear a negative impact on the country’s business environment. Research limitations/implications – Future research should explore in more depth the specific types of initiatives that these firms have and are continuing to eagerly adopt with the aim of improving their domestic competitiveness and, namely, firm-specific advantages, whether it be by contributing to the improvement of the business environment as a whole, or by improving their own operations and management systems. Practical implications – The main obstacles related to competitiveness are associated with the “Brazil Cost”, namely,thetaxsystem,infrastructure,politicalsystem,laborlawsandbureaucracythatdonotappeartooffermuchroom for maneuvering in terms of reducing these barriers in the short term. Managers not addressing these important input factors of competitiveness not only divert attention away from innovation and creativity but also could lead to more serious political, social welfare and economic implications in the global marketplace. Social implications – This study helps to gain a better understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whole. Originality/value – This research contributes to the understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to improve firm competitiveness in Brazil. These initiatives contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whole

Lessons learned from Brazilian multinationals’ internationalization strategies

Conteúdo online de acesso restrito pelo editorInternationalization of emerging market multinationals is a recent phenomenon gaining importance in the global economy. This foreign expansion of a new breed of companies has challenged established theories and practices in the field of international business (Cuervo-Cazurra, 2007). This article addresses the issue of whether or not there is something to learn from these emerging market companies and their foreign expansion. Focusing on the international trajectories of four Brazilian multinationals (i.e., Odebrecht, Embraer, Stefanini, and Marcopolo), this study analyzes their strategies and managerial processes during and after the recent economic crisis with regards to internationalization. Our qualitative fieldwork suggests that the trajectories of these Brazilian multinationals are quite unstructured and evolve as a reaction to the opportunities they face in international markets. It seems all four companies in our sample shared a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a high motivation to expand their international operations despite the crisis and the obstacles they faced. Our findings and suggestions in terms of lessons learned should provide valuable implications for multinational managers from other emerging markets by providing a better understanding of how Brazilian multinationals expand internationally, deal with economic crisis, and manage relationships with local and foreign institutions. (C) 2013 Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved