Firmly placed in an industrial setting, this research explored the introduction of remote monitoring technology into three different organizational contexts. By following these organizations over time, starting with their intention to invest in remote monitoring systems (RMS), there was a unique opportunity to witness their processes and to gain an insight into the intricacies of information technology (IT) and organizational transformation. The main question that this research sought to answer was thus: How is IT implicated in the remote monitoring of industrial equipment? Previous information systems research has been accused of not paying enough attention to the material, that is, of not being specific about technology. This research adopted a sociomaterial perspective, thus recognizing the constitutive entanglement of the material and the social, and thereby acknowledging their mutual dependency. However, in order to provide specific insights about the material, an analytical disentanglement was performed, by extending the concept of agency from a focus on “the what” to include “the how”. Change was thus studied by not only asking what the nature of change is and who or what causes change to occur, but by also tracing how change is enacted, thus capturing both material and social agency as well as tracing their entanglement. This research employed a broad approach, designed to provide a profound and extensive account of the studied phenomenon. Consequently, the thesis explored value creation, sourcing routines, partnership formation and innovative practices all related to remote diagnostics design and use. In addition, the research was qualitative and used interpretive case studies as the main methodology. A composite finding of this research is that an RMS, with its ability to collect, transmit, store, and analyze specific contextual information across time and space, provides opportunities for boundary-spanning activities manifested as the formation of interorganizational networks. Furthermore, by tracing the information capabilities of the IT, and by being specific about the material, it has been possible to explore how RMSs have the potential to influence both organizational form and content. Through the examination of RMSs within interorganizational networks and as a part of value creation practices, this research has also shown how the organizational form and content have the potential to influence RMSs; their design, use, and material affordances. This research also placed focus on the importance of trust and has shown that trust in technology is established through trust in people.

The interaction of the personnel boundary in inter-firm relationship management is viewed as particularistic in China instead of universalistic as in many Western cultures. Specifically, guanxi networks, the Chinese system of inter-personal relationship, have strong strategic implications for business interactions. The practices of guanxi and the social norms associated with guanxi are complicated. On the one hand, guanxi practices can be traced back to Confucianism; on the other hand, guanxi???s significance has been changing in line with China???s economic reform. In this research, we have attempted to find what presently constitutes good guanxi in inter-firm relationship management against this dynamic backdrop. Additionally, from the transaction cost economies (TCE) perspective, we provide an analysis that guanxi-based business practices offer transaction cost advantages as an alternative to market-based practices. We argue that such advantages partially result from guanxi???s effect on the reduction of opportunist behaviors. Backed up by 97 questionnaire responses from firms in Shanghai and 15 semi-structured interviews, our study confirms that, in inter-firm relationships management, trust, affection and long-term orientation are features of close guanxi. To enhance guanxi quality, familiarization by self-disclosure and the presence of mutual benefits are also necessary, providing practical implications for business practitioners in China. Our study also indicates that guanxi business partners are expected to be obligational in business and flexible in contingencies. Opportunistic behaviors can be mitigated by adopting guanxi practices, supporting the TCE logic. In an absence of a rationalized legal system, guanxi may fill the gaps in the enforcement of the written contract.N

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 218-237.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1995. / Includes tables. Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Frank L. Smith Jr. Dissertation Committee: Susan Otterbourg. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-175).

Thesis (M.M.A.S.)--School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Air University, 1994. / "August 1995" " Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-65).

Thesis (Doctoral)-- Åbo Akademi., 2005. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Errata slip inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 182-190).

Thesis (M. S.)--Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006. / Dr. Monica Gaughan, Committee Member ; Dr. Donna Llewellyn, Committee Member ; Dr. Gordon Kingsley, Committee Chair. Includes bibliographical references.

No atual ambiente de negócios, em meio a competição e cooperação, cada vez mais evidencia-se a importância em compreender os relacionamentos interorganizacionais no contexto das cadeias de suprimentos, bem como em aprimorar o desempenho relacional das empresas partícipes. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo analisar como o relacionamento interorganizacional contribui para o desempenho relacional das empresas focais e membros de apoio no contexto de cadeias de suprimento. Dentre os agentes envolvidos, o campo de estudo é composto por três assessorias em comércio internacional, atuantes principalmente na área de despacho aduaneiro e logística internacional e três indústrias exportadoras do setor moveleiro, ambas as empresas localizadas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e constituindo dessa forma três díades, denominadas de Díade A, Díade B e Díade C. A análise de díades visa a reforçar a revelância no equilíbrio entre a visão das empresas focais e membros de apoio, com vistas a demonstrar dessa forma conflitos latentes, contradições, barreiras e pontos positivos nos relacionamentos interorganizacionais e desempenho relacional. Como metodologia, efetuou-se uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, de caráter exploratório-descritivo. A estratégia foi o estudo de casos múltiplos, e, como técnica de coleta de dados utilizou-se a entrevista em profundidade, observação direta e análise documental. Contemplou-se com a pesquisa sete dimensões constituintes de relacionamentos interorganizacionais (troca de informações, confiança, comprometimento, cooperação, satisfação, lealdade e poder) e aspectos que influenciam o desempenho relacional, objetivando indentificar as contribuições, especificidades e relações de poder concernentes à forma com que a interação é estabelecida, de acordo com os itens preestabelecidos. Os resultados indicaram que os relacionamentos interorganizacionais, mesmo baseados em indicadores não econômicos, nas díades estudadas, contribuíram para o desempenho relacional das mesmas ao longo da construção das relações. A dimensão relacional pode promover uma maior cooperação entre os membros, reduzir os conflitos, melhorar e auxiliar na tomada de decisões, bem como diminuir a propensão dos parceiros em sair do relacionamento interorganizacional, fatos observados nas díades estudadas. Evidenciou-se que o desempenho relacional da Díade B é mais sólido devido à boa gestão das dimensões dos relacionamentos entre os membros, pela cumplicidade e pela qualidade da relação construída ao longo do tempo e pelo envolvimento direto das pessoas. Por outro lado, as Díades A e C revelaram a necessidade em trabalhar de maneira mais cooperativa, inovadora e com interações pessoais, a fim de promover a aproximação dos partícipes, mantendo e perpetuando a parceria de maneira sustentada. Por fim, o estudo contribuiu para a prática, principalmente na área da gestão da cadeia de suprimentos no setor moveleiro, por demonstrar a relevância de se levar em consideração dimensões não econômicas dos relacionamentos interorganizacionais, e que satisfazer as necessidades e expectativas do cliente com um bom atendimento, envolve diversas funções e habilidades para o prestador de serviços que são essenciais para a fidelização do cliente. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-04-28T14:01:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tatiane Pellin Cislaghi.pdf: 1434481 bytes, checksum: de2d8375ea7daac3bd4e30697c9e163e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-28T14:01:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tatiane Pellin Cislaghi.pdf: 1434481 bytes, checksum: de2d8375ea7daac3bd4e30697c9e163e (MD5) / In a current business environment, amidst competition and cooperation increasingly highlights the importance of understanding the inter-relationships in the context of supply chains, as well as improve performance relational of the corporate participants. This study aimed to analyze how interorganizational relations contributes to the performance of relational focal companies and supporting members in the context of supply chains. Among the agents involved, the field of study comprises three advisors in international trade, working mainly in the area of international logistics and customs clearance and three export industries in the furniture sector, both located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and thus constituting three dyads, called Dyad A, Dyad B and Dyad C. The analysis aims to strengthen dyads relevance balance between the vision of the focal companies and members of support, to demonstrate latent conflicts, contradictions, barriers and strengths in interorganizational relationships and relational performance. As methodology it was performed a search of qualitative, exploratory and descriptive. The strategy was a multiple case study, and as a technique for data collection was used in-depth interviews, direct observation and document analysis. Looked up to the survey seven dimensions constituents interorganizational relationships (exchange of information, trust, commitment, cooperation, satisfaction, loyalty and power) and variables that influence relational performance aiming indentify contributions and specific power relations concerning the way that the interaction is established according to predetermined items. The results indicated that interorganizational relationships, even based on non-economic indicators, the dyads studied, contributed to the performance of relational same throughout the construction of relationships. The relational dimension can promote greater cooperation among members, reduce conflicts, improve and assist in decision making, as well as decrease the propensity of the partners out of interorganizational relations, facts observed in the dyads studied. Showed that the performance of relational Dyad B is stronger due to good management of the dimensions of relationships between yours members, complicity and the quality of relationships built over time and the direct involvement of the people. On the other hand, Dyads A and C revealed the need to work in a more cooperative, innovative and personal interactions, in order to promote the approach of the participants, maintaining and perpetuating the partnership in a sustainable manner. Finally, the study contributed to the practice, especially in the area of supply chain management in the furniture sector, to demonstrate the importance of taking into account non-economic dimensions of interorganizational relationships and meet the needs and expectations of the client with a good service, involves many functions and abilities to the service provider that are essential for building customer loyalty.

Este trabalho consiste em um estudo sobre o arranjo produtivo local (APL) de agroindústrias familiares e produtores de alimentos do Vale do Rio Pardo (APLVRP), reconhecido no Programa de APLs do estado, além de ser uma alternativa econômica aos produtores de tabaco na região. O objetivo foi avaliar a influência das relações interorganizacionais na eficiência coletiva do arranjo. Como quadro teórico, utilizou-se o conceito de eficiência coletiva, compreendendo que as externalidades não são suficientes para assegurar um desenvolvimento duradouro à aglomeração, necessitando a ação conjunta (SCHMITZ, 1997a). Para compreender a natureza das relações entre os atores, adotou-se a abordagem de redes (SOUZA, 2008), optando pela perspectiva analítica do estudo de redes (POWELL; SMITH-DOERR, 1994), baseando-se na concepção de imersão social (GRANOVETTER, 1985), segundo a qual as ações econômicas estão imersas em redes de relações sociais. Foi utilizada a imersão estrutural como enfoque (ZUKIN; DIMAGGIO, 1990), referindo-se à contextualização das trocas econômicas em padrões contínuos de relações interpessoais, admitindo-se na análise, contudo, outros tipos de imersão: política, cognitiva e cultural (Idem). Utilizando-se a abordagem qualitativa, o estudo foi conduzido através da estratégia de estudo de caso e pesquisa longitudinal com corte transversal, enfocando em momentos históricos da trajetória do arranjo desde 2012 até os dias atuais (VIEIRA, 2006). As principais fontes dos dados foram: pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental, observação e entrevista semiestruturada, utilizando-se análise de conteúdo (BARDIN, 1977). A análise histórica do arranjo permitiu concluir que os atores centrais que atuam no APL surgiram no contexto da produção de tabaco na região. Através da análise das inter-relações entre os atores do APL (imersão social estrutural), pôde-se compreender a ocorrência de alterações na configuração da rede (NOHRIA, 1992) – mudança da entidade gestora e a inclusão de novos atores na rede, como os produtores de alimentos in natura, permitindo a intensificação das ações conjuntas com as cooperativas, propiciando eficiência coletiva (SCHMITZ, 1997a) para o arranjo – ocasionadas pela ampliação do escopo de atuação do APL – um resultado da ação conjunta e mobilização de seus atores. Constatou-se a importância das relações inter-atores entre entidades de apoio, especialmente a EMATER, para superar dificuldades enfrentadas pelas agroindústrias, notadamente a informalidade no setor. A imersão social ajudou a compreender como a configuração dos relacionamentos entre os atores pode beneficiar intermediários e até agroindústrias de fora da região em detrimento dos produtores locais, limitando, portanto, a eficiência coletiva do arranjo. Identificaram-se externalidades positivas e negativas no arranjo, principalmente em decorrência da região ser um local de produção de tabaco. Por fim, observou-se a importância das políticas públicas locais no estímulo a APLs em fases iniciais de desenvolvimento. Entretanto, os resultados revelam as limitações da eficiência coletiva passiva, oriunda das externalidades. Nesse sentido, constata-se a necessidade da eficiência coletiva ativa (NADVI, 1996), através da ação de atores privados na geração de resultados duradouros para o arranjo. / This dissertation consists on a case study of the local productive arrangement (APL) of family food agroindustries and food producers of the Rio Pardo Valley (APLVRP), which is part of the APLs Program of the state, also as an economic alternative to the tobacco farmers in the region. The main objective was to evaluate the influence of interorganizational relations in the collective efficiency of the cluster. As a theoretical framework, the concept of collective efficiency was used, understanding that externalities are not sufficient to ensure a sustainable development of the cluster, requiring joint action (SCHMITZ, 1997a). In order to understand the nature of the relations between the actors, the networks approach (SOUZA, 2008) was adopted, opting for the analytical perspective of the study of networks (POWELL, SMITH-DOERR, 1994), based on the concept of social embeddedness (GRANOVETTER, 1985), according to which economic actions are embedded in networks of social relations. It focused of structural embeddedness (ZUKIN; DIMAGGIO, 1990), which refers to the contextualization of economic exchanges in continuous patterns of interpersonal relations, admitting in the analysis, however, other types of embeddedness: political, cognitive and cultural embeddedness (Id.). Using the qualitative approach, the study was conducted through the case study and cross-sectional longitudinal research strategy, focusing on historical moments of cluster’s trajectory (VIEIRA, 2006). The main data sources were: bibliographic research, documental research, observation and semi-structured interview, using content analysis (BARDIN, 1977). Historical analysis of the cluster allowed us to conclude that the central actors acting in the APL appeared in the context of tobacco production in the region. Through the analysis of the interrelations between the actors of the APL (structural social embeddedness), it was possible to understand the occurrence of changes in the network configuration (NOHRIA, 1992) – shift of the management entity and the inclusion of new actors in the network, as the producers of in natura foods, and the intensification of joint actions with the cooperatives, providing collective efficiency (SCHMITZ, 1997a) for the cluster – caused by the expansion of the scope of the APL, as a result of the joint action and mobilization of its actors. The importance of inter-actor relations between support entities, especially EMATER, was verified in order to overcome difficulties faced by agroindustries, especially informality in the sector. Social embeddedness helped to understand how the configuration of relationships between actors can benefit intermediaries and even agro-industries from outside the region to the detriment of local producers, thus limiting the collective efficiency of the arrangement. Positive and negative externalities were identified in the cluster, mainly as a result of the region being a tobacco production site. Finally, the importance of local public policies in stimulating APLs in the early stages of development was verified. However, the results reveal the limitations of the passive collective efficiency, arising from externalities. Thus, it is needed active collective efficiency (NADVI, 1996), through the action of private actors in generating enduring results for the cluster.

A presente tese trata do tema redes de cooperação interorganizacionais no contexto brasileiro. O estudo aborda uma política pública governamental desenvolvida no Sul do Brasil voltada a ampliar a competitividade das pequenas empresas e gerar desenvolvimento econômico e social através do incentivo a formação de redes de cooperação entre empresas. O objetivo principal da tese é identificar e compreender os principais fatores que afetam a gestão de redes de cooperação. A partir de uma pesquisa quantitativa realizada em uma amostra de 443 empresas participantes de 120 redes, os resultados evidenciaram os principais elementos de gestão. O Programa Redes de Cooperação, desenvolvido pelo Governo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, trata-se de uma política pública que, desde o ano 2000, objetiva o fortalecimento competitivo de pequenas empresas e o desenvolvimento socioeconômico regional. Esse programa sustenta-se em três pilares de atuação: a) uma metodologia de formação, consolidação e expansão de redes entre empresas; b) uma estrutura regionalizada de suporte à implementação formada por uma rede de universidades regionais e c) uma coordenação central por parte do Governo do Estado, responsável pelos instrumentos de promoção, orientação e apoio aos empresários e gestores das redes. Cabe destacar que o caso estudado envolve 120 redes de cooperação, nas quais participam três mil empresas que, juntas, empregam 35.000 pessoas e faturam mais de US$ 1 bilhão. Além disso, a relação próxima com as universidades vem possibilitando uma interação acadêmica em nível nacional que tem gerado avanços teórico-práticos para o fortalecimento da cooperação interorganizacional. Com base nas referências teóricas e em evidências observadas por estudos exploratórios, realizados ex ante no campo de pesquisa, identificaram-se cinco atributos de gestão de redes – mecanismos sociais, aspectos contratuais, motivação e comprometimento, integração com flexibilidade e organização estratégica – e cinco benefícios – ganhos de escala e de poder de mercado, provisão de soluções, aprendizagem e inovação, redução de custos e riscos, e relações sociais. Para confirmação ou não dos dez fatores identificados ex ante e o seu grau de importância, realizou-se uma análise conjunta em uma amostra de 443 proprietários de empresas de uma população de 3.087 associados às 120 redes do programa. Os dados empíricos foram coletados pelo pesquisador em 2005, sendo agregados e processados através do programa estatístico SPSS versão 12.0. Os resultados obtidos pela análise conjunta confirmaram a importância dos dez fatores identificados. Nenhum dos fatores destacou-se significativamente em relação aos demais, o que indica que todos eles têm impacto semelhante na gestão das redes. No campo de estudos sobre redes interorganizacionais, as conclusões da pesquisa contribuíram para uma melhor compreensão dos fatores que influenciam em maior ou menor grau a gestão de redes de cooperação. Demonstraram empiricamente, no caso brasileiro, a coerência de postulados teóricos, desenvolvidos por pesquisas realizadas em outros contextos. No que tange às políticas públicas, os resultados evidenciaram que a promoção da cooperação em redes possibilita ganhos competitivos para as pequenas empresas. No âmbito organizacional, os fatores realçados poderão orientar os gestores nas suas decisões estratégicas no sentido de ampliar os ganhos competitivos da ação em rede. / The present thesis deals with interorganizational cooperation within the Brazilian context. This study focuses on a public policy developed in the Southern region of Brazil and aimed at increasing the competitiveness of small firms and generating economic and social development by stimulating cooperation networks among them. The primary objective of this thesis is to identify understand the main factors of the management of cooperation networks. Through a quantitative research carried out in a sample composed of 443 executives and 120 networks, it was demonstrated the main elements of management. The Cooperation Networks Program, developed by the Government of Rio Grande do Sul State is a public policy that, since the year 2000, has been operating with the aim of sponsoring and helping the development of cooperation networks in the South of Brazil. The PRC is founded upon three pillars of action: a) a methodology of development, consolidation, and expansion of networks in firms; b) a regionalized structure composed of a network of regional universities in order to provide implementation support; and c) a central coordination under the responsibility of the State Government in charge of promotion, guidance and support to executives and network managers. It is worth mentioning that the case study in this work involved 120 cooperation networks composed of three thousand firms that, altogether, employ 35,000 people and earn over US$ 1 billion. Moreover, a close relationship has been established with local universities generating theoretical and practical advances that will strength the interorganizational cooperation. The theoretical references and the evidences provided by exploratory studies, conducted ex ante in the research field, allowed the author to identify five networks management attributes: social mechanisms; contractual aspects; motivation and commitment; integration with flexibility and strategic organization; and five benefits of networks: scale and market power gains; provision of solutions; learning and innovation; cost and risk reduction; and social relations. For confirmation or not of the ten factors identified ex ante and the level of importance related to the competitiveness of the firms, a conjoint analysis was conducted in a sample composed of 443 owners of 3,087 firms associated with 120 networks belonging to the PRC. The researcher collected the empirical data in 2005. The data was analyzed and processed through the statistical program SPSS, 12.0 version. The results obtained from the conjoint analysis confirmed the importance of the ten identified factors. None of the factors were significantly distinct from the other, which indicated that all factors have similar impact on the networks management. The conclusions of this research may contribute to the field of interorganizational networks by providing a better understanding of the factors that influence (in lower or higher degree) the management of cooperation networks. In the Brazilian case, the evidences of this research helped the author to empirically demonstrate the pertinence of some theoretical assumptions on networks, proposed by previous researches conducted in other contexts. As for the public policies, the results revealed that promoting cooperation through networks results in competitive gains for small firms. At a national level, the factors presented herein will possibly guide managers in their strategic decisions in order to increase competitive gains of the network action.