Este estudo objetiva explorar e relatar as interações que ocorrem entre Redes de Cooperação e entidades, nas etapas de sensibilização, estruturação e manutenção, identificando as entidades que interagem com Redes; a manutenção dos relacionamentos com entidades iniciadoras do processo de formação e outras; quanto às interações, se todas são positivas e em que etapa há mais ações. Para tal, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, com um roteiro de entrevistas e posterior análise de conteúdo. As Redes pesquisadas foram selecionadas conforme os segmentos econômicos destacados na área de execução, do Programa Redes de Cooperação, da Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS), as Entidades pesquisadas foram selecionadas através de suas menções na documentação gerada sobre as Redes selecionadas. Observou-se que as interações e os relacionamentos se mantêm, ao longo das etapas com a entidade controladora e a IES executora do Programa, com afastamento de algumas Redes por questões logísticas; as demais entidades contribuem, com ênfase, na etapa de sensibilização, auxiliando a mobilização dos empresários, e na etapa de manutenção, com ações sobre projetos demandados pelas Redes, com maior destaque à qualificação técnica e gerencial e ações mercadológicas. Os relatos de Redes e Entidades posicionam essas interações, todas positivas, em momentos diferentes, demonstrando pouca proximidade das Entidades com o Programa Redes de Cooperação e sua metodologia, fato que pode ser um ponto de alavancagem para resultados mais efetivos das interações a partir da determinação da ênfase e preponderância dessas entidades sobre Redes de Cooperação. / The purpose of this study is to explore and report interactions that take place between Cooperation Networks and corporations, during the stages of sensitization, structuring, and maintenance, identifying those corporations who interact with the Networks; maintaining relationships with corporations who started training processes and others; as for the interactions, whether they are all positive and in which stage there are more actions. To do so, a qualitative research was carried out, with an interview script and followed by content analysis. The Networks surveyed were selected according to economical segments pointed out according to their area in the Cooperation Network Program of the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), the Corporations surveyed were chosen according to their references in the documentation generated on the Networks that were selected. It was possible to observe that the interactions and relationships are maintained along the stages with the controlling corporations and the High-Ed Institution carrying out the program, with a few Networks withdrawing for logistic matters; the other corporations contribute emphatically on the sensitization stage, helping in the mobilization of entrepreneurs, and on the maintenance stage, with actions on projects required by the Networks, with a highlight on managerial and technical qualification, and marketing actions. The reports collected from both Networks and Corporations place all these interactions as positive, in different moments, demonstrating little proximity of the Corporations with the Cooperation Network Program and its methodology, a fact that might work as leverage for more effective results of interactions from the determination of the emphasis and preponderance of these corporations on Cooperation Networks.

Orientador: Andréia Galvão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T06:34:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Machado_RaphaelAmorim_M.pdf: 2906032 bytes, checksum: dda3fcecf60ddebec03483d61a08b259 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Esta pesquisa tem como objeto o Instituto Ethos de Responsabilidade Social Empresarial, cuja tarefa estatutária é promover e difundir a responsabilidade social entre as empresas atuantes no Brasil. A Responsabilidade Social Empresarial (RSE) foi criada nos Estados Unidos na década de 1950, porém, as práticas filantrópicas e caritativas das empresas datam de antes desse período. A RSE representa uma complexificação do campo da ação social das empresas, levando em consideração a atuação estratégica da empresa frente ao público atingido pelas ações da empresa (stakeholder). A atuação social do empresariado brasileiro sempre esteve vinculada à regulação das relações de trabalho, principalmente por meio de práticas coercitivas e caritativas. No início da década de 1980 uma nova agenda social do empresariado brasileiro começou a ter vigência. O mote principal dessa nova agenda era mobilizar o empresariado em torno dos principais problemas sociais da sociedade brasileira, tal como trabalho infantil, desigualdade social e fome. O Instituto Ethos foi resultado direto dessa nova agenda do empresariado brasileiro, tornando a atuação social empresarial mais complexa e pautada por mecanismos de verificação baseados em padrões internacionais. Nosso problema de pesquisa é analisar a constituição do Instituto Ethos enquanto um dos atores principais da RSE no Brasil, discutindo a constituição do campo da RSE no Brasil, os posicionamentos e discursos do Instituto frente ao Estado e às políticas públicas, averiguando a sua vinculação com o projeto político neoliberal. Para isso partimos para a análise dos documentos do Instituto, relatórios de organizações internacionais e os discursos dos intelectuais orgânicos do campo da RSE no Brasil. A RSE é um campo fragmentado, permeado por disputas conceituais e de práticas que no fundo representam uma luta entre frações de classe para uma definição do que seja RSE, cada uma com um projeto vinculado a seu interesse de classe. O Instituto Ethos é um desses atores nessa disputa. O Instituto Ethos promoveu uma institucionalização da RSE no país, tendo para isso de institucionalizar suas práticas e sua organização. A estrutura administrativa do Instituto é bastante complexa, tendo vários conselhos e diretorias, estabelecendo uma distância entre as diretrizes do Instituto e a atuação das empresas, favorecendo uma autonomia relativa do Instituto Ethos frente a suas empresas associadas. Neste trabalho questionamos a vinculação imediata entre a RSE e o neoliberalismo, enfatizando a dimensão pública que o Instituto Ethos imprime a tal prática, pois as diretrizes do Instituto enfocam uma espécie de parceria entre as empresas e o Estado no provimento de políticas públicas. A crítica aqui se dirige àqueles trabalhos que analisam a RSE como substituta do Estado nas áreas sociais decorrentes de um arranjo político neoliberal. Essa hipótese se mostra problemática, pois o Instituto Ethos não reivindica menos Estado, pelo contrário, chama o Estado para uma regulação da RSE no país / Abstract: This research has as is object the Ethos Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility, whose statutory task is to promote and disseminate social responsibility among companies operating in Brazil. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was established in the United States in the 1950's, however, the philanthropic and charitable practices of companies dating from before that period. CSR represents a complexity of the field of corporate social action, taking into account the strategic work of the company before the public affected by the actions of the firm (stakeholder). The social performance of the Brazilian business has always been linked to the regulation of labor relations, mainly through coercive and charities. In the early 1980's a new social agenda of the Brazilian business began to take effect. The main motto of this new agenda was to mobilize the business community around the main social problems of Brazilian society, such as child labor, social inequality and hunger. The Ethos Institute was a direct result of this new agenda of the Brazilian business, making business more complex social activities and guided by verification mechanisms based on international standards. Our research problem is to analyze the constitution of the Ethos Institute as one of the main actors of CSR in Brazil, discussing the constitution of the field of CSR in Brazil, positions and addresses of the Institute from the State and public policy by examining its connection with the neoliberal political project. For this we start to analyze the documents of the Institute, reports of international organizations and the speeches of the organic intellectuals of the field of CSR in Brazil. CSR is a fragmented field, permeated by disputes conceptual and practical at the bottom represent a struggle between fractions of class for a definition of what CSR is, each with a project linked to their class interest. The Ethos Institute is one of those actors in this dispute. The Ethos Institute promoted the institutionalization of CSR in the country, and for that to institutionalize their practices and their organization. The Institute's administrative structure is quite complex, and several councils and boards, establishing a distance between the guidelines of the Institute and the performance of companies, favoring a relative autonomy of the Ethos front of its affiliates. In this work we question the immediate link between CSR and neoliberalism, emphasizing the public dimension of the Ethos Institute prints to this practice, because the guidelines of the Institute focus on a kind of partnership between business and the state in providing public policy. The criticism here is directed to those papers that analyze CSR as a substitute for the State in social areas due to a neoliberal political arrangement. This hypothesis proves problematic because the Ethos Institute does not claim less government, by contrast, calls for the State regulation of CSR in the country / Mestrado / Ciencia Politica / Mestre em Ciência Política

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for D Phil: Management Sciences (Marketing), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / There has been substantial research related to small and medium-sized Chinese enterprises in various countries. However, little research has been done on marketing by Chinese entrepreneurs in South Africa. Furthermore, no documented research has been conducted on the use of marketing intelligence by Chinese entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal. For entrepreneurs, marketing intelligence plays an important role in the performance of their businesses. This study is aimed at assessing the application of marketing intelligence by Chinese entrepreneurs regarding their survival, growth and success in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This study was conducted within the main industrial areas in KwaZulu-Natal, where Chinese entrepreneurs are based. The research was of a quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional nature, conducted among a sample of 120 business owners, managers, marketing executives and senior staff. The results revealed that the use of marketing intelligence in strategic decision-making by Chinese entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal is very limited. The extent of awareness of marketing intelligence was fairly low. It also emerged that most of the respondents still acknowledged the importance of marketing intelligence and the role it could play in their businesses’ success. Pursuant to the general requirement for an original contribution in a doctoral thesis, the study provides a framework for current and potential Chinese entrepreneurs with regard to the application of marketing intelligence in their marketing planning. / D

The purpose of this research project was threefold: 1) to establish a set of research questions, propositions and hypotheses about the nature of international fast-food franchising; 2) to identify the distinctive strategies employed by fast-food franchise firms in foreign markets and 3) to provide a set of guidelines for managers which will assist them in dealing with the challenges of initiating and expanding a fast-food franchise system in a foreign country. A multiple-case study approach was used focusing on how U. S . franchise firms have adapted their domestic business practices to the Canadian, Japanese, and Russian Markets. Special attention was given to the degree to which their firms have modified franchise objectives, expansion strategies, marketing mix elements, control system and support services. A principal finding of this research project is that fast-food companies do in fact extend domestic franchise strategies to foreign markets when expanding internationally. However, they do make certain alterations in their domestic method of doing business. The alterations are in the areas of expansion strategies, franchise objectives, control systems and support services. These alterations do not follow a consistent pattern. They vary from country to country and from firm to firm. / Ph. D.

Thesis MA (Political Science. International Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This thesis is, in essence, a theoretically informed, qualitative study of an intermediate power coalition in international trade negotiations. More specifically, it critically evaluates the cooperation of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The IBSA Dialogue Forum was established in 2003. This was also the year the three emerging countries first drew attention to their collective bargaining potential. First, they were instrumental in negotiating a waiver in the WTO that allowed for relaxed patent restrictions on the import of generic drugs for countries in the developing world facing health emergencies. Then, they also played a central role in the collapse of the WTO talks held in Cancun, 2003. This study looks at what IBSA aims to achieve in the WTO and then tries to establish whether it is possible for the initiative to achieve these aims (in the WTO). It asks, firstly, what kind of coalition IBSA forms in the WTO. Then, it asks whether it makes sense for India, Brazil and South Africa to form this type of coalition. Finally, it discusses some of the complexities involved in the three countries’ claim that it speaks for the “developing South”. The study makes use mainly of a neo-liberal institutionalist theoretical approach, while being open to constructive debate and critique from the reflective school. Ultimately, the study argues that the challenges that bind these countries also constrain each of them. The three countries might be emerging, but they are also developing countries with limited capacity that face serious developmental challenges. In addition, these countries of the South are situated in complex regional environments. In the WTO, IBSA aims to cement a coalition through processes that promote the cooperative dimensions of interaction and minimise conflictual ones. This innovative approach to cooperation does provide some hope. How they use their collective capacity will prove decisive. No doubt, successful cooperation will require hard work, especially as the coalition will have to deliver concrete results not only to domestic constituencies, but also to the developing world as a whole.

Univ., Diss.--Stuttgart, 2006.

This study offers insight into the perceived leadership behaviour of sales managers in a pharmaceutical organisation in South Africa. The study specifically investigated the extent of the relationship between leadership behaviour of sales managers and motivation of sales teams during the implementation of strategic alliances. The study followed a mixed methods approach and had a correlational research design. The population in this study was the fifty four (54) sales representatives and their respective sales managers of the six sales teams identified, who are directly responsible for implementing strategic alliances. The population was demarcated into six (6) sales teams with each team reporting to a separate sales manager. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The quantitative data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). The qualitative component was analysed using a content analysis. The findings of the correlation analysis suggest that an overall positive and moderate relationship exist between autocratic leadership behaviour of sales managers and the motivation of sales teams. A similar relationship exists between team leadership and extrinsic motivation. A positive and weak relationship exists between directive and supportive leadership and motivation. Similarly, a positive and weak relationship exists between team leadership and intrinsic motivation. However, the extent to which these relationships exist varies between the sales teams. The findings of the content analysis indicate that task-oriented leadership behaviour may exert the strongest motivator for sales teams when implementing strategic alliances. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Effective Governance of Enterprise Information Technology (GEIT) is very important for an enterprise that has a huge investment in IT infrastructure. Implementing effective GEIT helps an enterprise to meet stakeholder needs by creating business value through strategic business-IT alignment. This study focuses on the analysis of GEIT implementation related to strategic business-IT alignment using Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT 5), using the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) as a case study. Strategic alignment is found to be the main concern of GEIT and strong alignment between business objectives and IT capabilities as a means of creating an effective foundation for business execution. There are various internationally accepted GEIT good practices and standards. In this study, COBIT 5 is selected for its strong aspects of control objectives for strategic business-IT alignment that help enterprises’ security, risk and compliance guidance and serves as a tool for leveraging GEIT. COBIT 5 is the leading business framework for the GEIT by making clear that there is a separation between governance and management of IT. This is a single integrated framework that covers the enterprise holistically and integrates with other important frameworks and standards at an advanced level. In addition to this, the use of COBIT 5 Balanced Score Card (BSC) for performance measurement tool (goals cascade), Process Reference Model (PRM), Process Assessment Model (PAM), principles and enablers and Capability Maturity Model (CMM) tool also utilise IT investments more effectively and accurately and measure performance with lower costs through stronger governance. This study analysed how enterprises effectively implement GEIT practices using COBIT 5 to achieve strong strategic business-IT alignment. The target groups of the study were the top management and IT management of CBE. The researcher used explanatory sequential mixed methods (both quantitative and qualitative) data collection techniques and analysis procedures. In the quantitative data collection, data were collected and analysed using GEIT practices maturity assessment tool, Luftman Strategic Alignment Maturity Model (LAMM) tool and the data analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). In the qualitative phase of the study, evidence was collected and examined from observation and participation, document review, focus group, formal and informal discussions with selected managements of CBE and gap assessment using COBIT 5. Finally, the researcher integrated results to combine the quantitative and qualitative methods. The finidngs of the quantitative analysis indicate that the maturity level of GEIT practices implementation was 1.77, around level 2 maturity level (repeatable but intuitive), whereas the business-IT alignment maturity level of 53.13% agrees that strategic alignment business-IT was good level 3 (established, focused processes) in the case of CBE. GEIT practices implementation regarding strategic business-IT alignment is found to be positive. The data qualitative analysis indicates that the achievement of the capability level of GEIT processes is not defined and deployed based on international best practices and also confirms that the GEIT BSC is not yet implemented. The achievement capability level of GEIT processes implementation using COBIT 5 is under level 2. In this study, the gap between the existing GEIT practices processes and desirable level 4 (managed and measurable) using COBIT 5 was identified and a method to fill the gap was proposed. / School of Computing / M. Sc. (Computing)

The need for faster, more flexible and less risky ways for organisations to expand their capabilities and competencies increasingly lead to the formation and proliferation of networking strategies and partners. Understanding the potential contribution that CoP membership can provide within these teams is a step towards developing and refining a strategy to support and enhance the speedy progression of the team towards a productive phase. The study shows that membership of researchers to the same or similar CoPs have some impact on the norming stage, and assist in reaching the performing / productive stage faster in team development. The survey in particular has indicated that similar standards, practices, terminology, ethics, standards, peer recognition, trust and a sense of belonging have more of an impact on the productive phase of team forming, than on the norming phase. The hard factors such as terminology, standards and similar practices have a strong correlation with the softer factors such as a sense of belonging and trust. This information should be utilised in both the socialisation processes in academic institutions as part of the education of professionals, as well as organisational approaches to Research and Development (R&D), information sharing and development of the researchers. The paper also highlights emerging organisational and strategic Best Practices currently prevalent in R&D teams and collaborative projects. It is clear that research collaborations cuts across the whole spectrum of business and management areas - from strategy, across intellectual property issues, finance, strategic human resource management, R&D management and innovation, knowledge management, organisational values and culture, and many more. To support innovation and R&D on a strategic level, both internally and on inter-firm collaborations, requires a review of the total organisational strategy, culture and norms in an organisation. Innovation and R&D support should be a holistic approach, with strategic and pro-active risk management supported by appropriate strategic human resources management and systems. Literature on CoPs, teams, social capital (SC), knowledge management (KM), intellectual capital (IC), intellectual property (IP), strategy and governance provide theoretical grounding. / Business Leadership / Ph. D.

This study examined how online social networking (OSN) leads to increased communication and collaboration across inter-firm boundaries. This online social networking behaviour represents significant opportunities to firms in the form of improved problem-solving, increased collaborative innovation and enhanced engagement with stakeholders. There are also risks inherent in the widespread use of OSNs, such as the loss of control over information flows to individuals outside the organization, potential damage to the reputation of brands and organizations, and loss of productivity due to excessive usage of OSNs during work hours. In particular, this study sought to test four research propositions, specifically, that usage of one particular OSN, LinkedIn (LI), results in: 1) an increased number of inter-firm connections; 2) an improved ability to communicate across inter-firm boundaries; 3) greater access to problem solving or innovation collaborators; 4) increased organizational problem solving or innovation ability. The study methodology involved both quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative portion of the study involved survey research among over 500 LinkedIn (LI) users to determine changes they reported in various dimensions related to inter-firm relationship-forming, information-sharing and collaborative problem solving since using LI. The sampling approach was purposive and the sample frame consisted of the researcher’s own extended LI network, and an effort was also made to make the survey link available to all LI members through public posting in the site’s Q&A section. Though no individual or group was systematically excluded from the opportunity to take the survey, some limitations are inherent in the approach taken. The survey respondents were self-selecting, which makes it difficult to confirm that the sample is reflective of all LI users. Also, the use of the researcher’s own LI network as a key source of survey respondents may have biased the study toward more open networkers, since the researcher’s network was built up over time by practicing open networking behaviours. As a result, the sample may tend to under-represent more closed or restrictive networkers. Notwithstanding these limitations, no one particular group of respondents was excluded from the opportunity to take the survey, and the resulting data suggests that there were significant numbers of respondents who considered themselves closed networkers. Also, the spread of respondents by geographic area, occupation and age was found to resemble published statistics from LI on its user base, so it appears that the data is reasonably reflective of the LI user base, though this would be difficult to verify or measure. Qualitative research was also undertaken among senior managers at companies that have embraced the use of OSNs by staff to determine their experiences along similar dimensions. The findings from the quantitative survey showed that users of LI have experienced an increased number of social connections with individuals as a result of using LI, and that these connections are often with people in other organizations, including competitors and customers. Survey respondents also reported that they have been able to draw upon their LI networks in order to solve problems and be more innovative in their work. Analysis of the qualitative research yielded a list of suggested best practices that could be adopted by firms wishing to harness the collaborative power of OSNs. These suggested best practices have been grouped under the areas of strategy, listening, communication, guidelines, training, diffusion and measurement. Some suggested areas for future research included: the role of performance measurement and reward systems in managing OSN usage behaviour; the organizational risks of centralized versus decentralized control of messaging via OSNs; the role of training in the effective deployment of OSNs in an organizational context; and the organizational risk of increased connectedness with competitors resulting from OSN relationships. / Business Management / D.B.L.