A percepção dos relacionamentos interorganizacionais na Bioindústria Amazonense

Abstract

The research aimed to identify the entrepreneurs' perception of interfirms relationships in Amazonian bioindustry. It used bibliographical and field research method applying Network Picture to collect entrepreneurs' perceptions of collaboration. Hundred four ventures were identified in this bioindustry, from which two ventures from each of the seven sectors were selected in order to obtain initial comparisons of certain elements of interorganizational relationships in an intra and intersectorial perspective. Thus, this is a multiple case research with a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach, with most of the companies studied being startups. One of the main result regarding intrasector interfirm relationship can be due complementarity of resources Different from what is observed in developed countries, interorganizational collaborations are incipient in some Brazilian industries. The same is true for Amazonian bioindustry, where weaknesses have already been identified by local researches, including the firm-institution of science and technology (ICT) interaction, as proved in this study. The study points out the existence of rare cooperation between firms with similar activities (horizontal intrasectoral cooperation) and between firms from other sectors of the Amazonian bioindustry (intersectorial collaboration). Among the reasons for low incidence of intrasectoral collaboration are: the simple lack of interest that, in some cases, is related to a kind of firm's 'autonomy' in its activities (as is the case for medium and large size firms); the lack of adding value's perspective from a potential partnership; and the low or lack of confidence on service or product quality that a firm would add to the relationship, should a partnership be signed. One of the reasons for low incidence of intersectoral collaboration in the bioindustry is associated with lack of knowledge of opportunity for collaboration. The dominant relationship link identified is the academic, followed by professional link. In the firm-ICT relationship, particularly for startups, the reasons for collaboration are the use of 'infrastructure' and the acquisition of 'knowledge', resources considered essential for research and technological development. These results indicate that inter firm relationships of Amazonian bioindustry are below what one expects of a business network — an essential practice to increase competitiveness and the ability to remain in the market. The research also indicates some necessary actions for approximating actors involved in this industry, among them: broad dissemination of local competencies, solidification of discussion forums, and rapid response of public entities.