COMPARTILHAMENTO DO CONHECIMENTO EM REDE E AS PRÁTICAS DE INOVAÇÃO ORIENTADA PARA A SUSTENTABILIDADE EM ASSCIAÇÕES COMERCIAIS E EMPRESARIAIS

Abstract

Knowledge sharing in a network provides benefits in the development of new products or services, processes and organizations, increasing quality, speed, effectiveness and accelerating innovation and sustainability. This dissertation aims to identify how knowledge sharing in a network helps in the development of innovation practices oriented towards sustainability. Eight Commercial and Business Associations(ACEs) that are part of the Coordination of Commercial and Business Associations of Western Paraná - Caciopar were analyzed. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, with research conducted through structured interviews, employing content analysis using the Atlas TI web software. The findings indicate that, with regard to knowledge sharing in the researched network, the categories of Participation, which report on the participation of members within the network, Common Objectives, which relate to the objectives that the network has, as well as the objectives of each ACE, Communication Channels, which present the means of communication used by the network and Hierarchy and Leadership, which presents aspects of how network leaders approach sustainability-oriented innovation, contribute to network members developing and sharing their IOS practices. The Trust category, which presents aspects of trust among network members, was identified as a contributor to knowledge sharing, but did not present evidence of its contribution to the development of IOS practices. It was found that ACEs develop IOS practices in products and services through internal waste separation programs, elimination of the use of paper and use of cisterns and solar panels, and organizational processes through a congress on ESG, use of local labor, lectures and collection of donations for entities, among others, both in the Caciopar network, with similar practices among ACEs, and through initiatives and partnerships that each ACE develops within its city, through the public authorities and/or with the private network. For future research, we suggest investigating how the diversity of members of trade associations can influence the creation and dissemination of IOS practices, considering aspects such as the region and size of the trade and business association. Furthermore, indicators can be developed to assess how trade associations implement and maintain their IOS practices. Finally, we suggest a study that delves into the external partnerships that the entities have, such as the city government, companies and entities, highlighting the process of knowledge sharing between these organizations for the development of IOS practices.