Redes horizontais de empresas no Rio Grande do Sul : um estudo dos fatores influentes na formação e desenvolvimento.

Abstract

As the increase in competition in the market has risen, so has the number of new business arrangements. Among these, horizontal business networks stand out. Horizontal business networks are groups of businesses in the same business field that share costs, exchange information and increase their buying power, thus making themselves more competitive than larger and more prepared competitors in the domestic and international markets. Currently in Rio Grande do Sul there are more than 100 horizontal business networks, created with governmental support or started by self-employed business owners. Networks can be found in various industries, such as construction material, bakeries, hotels, video rental stores, agro-industries, pharmacies, supermarkets, and furniture businesses. The object is always the same, to increase competitiveness of the participants. This study of multiple cases, involving four business networks from the areas of industry and commerce, with the participation of 89 businesses, identifies and analyzes the factors that stimulate and restrict the formation and development of horizontal business networks in Rio Grande do Sul. It verifies that the culture of collaboration of the participating businesses of the networks, together with the organizational aspects of the collective undertaking, constitute the principle factors that influence obtaining competitive results in the networks researched. Results show that when a mutual effort is made among the factors described, a positive cycle occurs that brings growth to those who participate. The use of appropriate mechanisms for the growth of the culture of collaboration and the honesty of the organization of the network are aspects that can contribute significantly so that the network achieves competitive results. Considering that the present work involved only four business networks out of hundreds, it is suggested that new research be conducted involving a larger number of networks to increase the understanding of the subject and confirm the result obtained in this study.