Cooperação e vantagem competitiva em um Arranjo Produtivo Local: estudo de caso do APL Iguassu-IT.

Abstract

8 CARRASCO, Claudio da Silva. Cooperação e vantagem competitiva em um Arranjo Produtivo Local: estudo de caso do APL Iguassu-IT. 2018. 91f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Contabilidade) – Programa de Pós-Graduação em Contabilidade (PPGC), Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná – UNIOESTE, Cascavel, 2018. ABSTRACT Clusters have been an important alternative for companies to gather in a cooperative network. It is believed that the success of a cluster comes from commitment, partnership and participation of the companies, which is guaranteed by constant monitoring of actions, evaluation of goals and by strategic correction of choices. The objective of this study was to identify, through the perception of the managers of the companies involved in the cluster, to understand how cooperation contributes to improve performance and other competitive advantages perceived by the companies that constitute the Iguassu-IT cluster. The cooperation levels are related to planning, innovation, learning, development of strategic projects, innovation strengthening, and relationship among companies. Competitive advantage was evaluated based on reduction of production costs, technological evolution, innovation, bigger market participation, access to financing (governmental), exchange and gain of knowledge, strategic market positioning, and products and services with higher value. This research is characterized as a Study Case. The gathering of data was carried out through structured survey sent to the managers of the companies that constitute the Iguassu-IT cluster, through interview of the coordinator of the project with SEBRAE, documental analysis, and using direct observation. Data was collected during the months of November of 2016 and November of 2017. The questionnaire was sent to the 43 companies in the cluster, of which 32 were valid. It was found in this study case that cooperation among companies in the cluster resulted in competitive advantage, mainly regarding the relationship among companies, improving strategic market positioning, exchange and gain of knowledge, and products and services with higher value. The main motivation for companies to join the cluster were the pursue of quality and efficiency. The permanence of companies in the cluster is sustained by the availability of information on products and the organization of technical events. The cooperation among members of the cluster makes possible the exchange of experiences on planning, innovation, learning, and development of strategic projects, as well as has improved the relationship among the companies. The data confirms the argument of Cooperation Theory, that individuals cooperate consciously, deliberately, and intentionally for the achievement of a common goal. This research contributed in identifying the motivational objectives for the joining and continuity in the Iguassu-IT cluster, highlighting the factors cooperation and competitive advantage perceived by the managers.