O tema central deste trabalho é a importância da Comunicação e da Tecnologia da Informação como forma de garantir que o fluxo de informações entre empresas da Cadeia de Suprimentos seja adequado e influencie de maneira positiva o Relacionamento entre as empresas e a Performance. O objetivo principal do trabalho é estruturar e testar modelos para investigar as relações existentes entre as seguintes variáveis: Comunicação, Tecnologia da Informação, Relacionamento Comprador-Fornecedor e Performance. A Comunicação e a Tecnologia da Informação foram consideradas antecedentes do Relacionamento e da Performance. A população alvo desta pesquisa compreende todos os fornecedores ativos da Empresa Alfa, uma distribuidora de medicamentos e produtos de higiene e beleza com sede na cidade de São Paulo. Dadas as várias relações causais que se pretende testar, a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (Structural Equation Modeling - SEM) foi considerada a metodologia mais apropriada para esta pesquisa. Tal abordagem permite testar simultaneamente as várias relações para cada um dos modelos propostos. Após a preparação e validação das escalas, foram testadas as influências das variáveis exógenas no Relacionamento e na Performance, bem como a influência do Relacionamento na Performance. Nos modelos de Comunicação, as variáveis exógenas testadas foram Feedback, Compartilhamento de Informações, Periodicidade da Comunicação Convencional, Periodicidade da Comunicação por fax/carta e Periodicidade da Comunicação por Meio Eletrônico. Nos modelos de Tecnologia da Informação, foram testadas as seguintes variáveis exógenas: EDI, Sistemas de Gestão Transacionais e Sistemas de Gestão Colaborativos. Os indicadores de performance utilizados foram, em sua maioria, os mesmos tanto para a empresa compradora quanto para seus fornecedores (preço, prazo, rapidez na entrega, cumprimento dos prazos de entrega e entrega do pedido completo). O Relacionamento foi representado apenas pelo Comprometimento da Empresa Fornecedora. Apenas as variáveis exógenas EDI e Sistemas de Gestão Transacionais não se mostraram estatisticamente significantes em suas relações com o Relacionamento e com a Performance. Para todas as outras variáveis, observou-se algum tipo de influência no Relacionamento e/ou na Performance. Também foi verificada a influência positiva do Relacionamento na Performance. / The central theme of this work is the importance of Communications and of Information Technology as a way of ensuring that the flow information between companies in the Supply Chain is adequate, positively influencing the companies\' relationships and Performance. This study\'s main objective is to structure and test models to investigate the relations existing among the following variables: Communications, Information Technology, Buyer-Supplier Relationship, and Performance. In this work, Communications and Information Technology are considered antecedents of Relationship and Performance. The target population of this research comprises all the active suppliers of the Alpha Company, a distributor of pharmaceuticals and hygiene and beauty products headquartered in the city of São Paulo. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was considered the most suitable methodology for this research, given the various causal relations to be tested. This approach allows for the simultaneous testing of the various relations for each of the models proposed. After preparation and validation of the scales, the influence of the exogenous variables on Relationship and Performance was tested, as was the influence of Relationship on Performance. In the Communications models, the exogenous variables tested were Feedback, Information Sharing, Periodicity of Conventional Communications, Periodicity of Communications via fax/letter, and Periodicity of Electronic Communications. In the Information Technology models, the following exogenous variables were tested: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Transactional Management Systems, and Collaborative Management Systems. The performance indicators utilized were, for the most part, the same for the buyer and its suppliers (price, lead time, fast delivery, on time deliveries, and delivery of complete orders). Relationship was represented solely by the Supplier\'s Commitment. Only the exogenous variables of EDI and Transactional Management Systems proved statistically nonsignificant in their relations with Relationship and Performance. All the other variables showed some kind of influence on Relationship and/or Performance. Relationship was also found to positively influence Performance.

O presente trabalho parte de duas proposições teóricas para chegar ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: Como os ganhos competitivos em redes de cooperação podem ser proporcionados aos artesãos em uma iniciativa de comércio justo? A partir deste problema de pesquisa, o trabalho tem como objetivo compreender empiricamente quais ganhos competitivos apresentados pela literatura são proporcionados aos artesãos que fazem parte de uma iniciativa de comércio justo e como os diversos atores que participam dessa iniciativa percebem esses ganhos competitivos. Para cumprir com o objetivo principal, os seguintes objetivos específicos foram determinados: identificar uma iniciativa de comércio justo de artesanato e analisá-la como uma rede de cooperação; mapear os atores que compõem essa iniciativa de comércio justo; identificar os ganhos competitivos dos artesãos a partir da visão da iniciativa de comércio justo; identificar os ganhos competitivos percebidos pelos artesãos que integram a iniciativa de comércio justo; complementar a análise com a visão de parte dos demais atores da rede sobre os ganhos competitivos identificados; e comparar os achados com os princípios e características do comércio justo. Como metodologia de pesquisa, foi realizado um estudo exploratório, com estratégia de estudo de caso único integrado com abordagem qualitativa. O caso estudado foi o da Rede Asta, sendo que as fontes de evidência utilizadas foram 8 entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado, documentos da Rede Asta e observação direta informal, enquanto o tratamento e análise dos dados foram feitos por meio da análise de conteúdo, resultando em 20 categorias analíticas e 7 categorias finais após o reagrupamento das referidas categorias analíticas. Como primeiros resultados, foi possível justificar a escolha do caso, o analisando também como uma rede de cooperação. Ainda, os principais atores dessa rede foram mapeados, sendo eles os fornecedores, os grupos produtivos, a Rede Asta, as conselheiras, o consumidor final, as empresas e as organizações parceiras. Ao analisar o ganho competitivo de escala e poder de mercado, os principais achados foram relacionados ao acesso a mercados consumidores e ampliação de vendas, à relação com os fornecedores e à credibilidade e legitimidade. No ganho de acesso a soluções, os principais achados foram sobre as capacitações para precificação, a prospecção de empresas, a comunicação e valorização cultural e o acesso a crédito diferenciado. Em aprendizagem e inovação, os principais achados foram de troca de informações de mercado, tendências, produtos e técnicas, e de desenvolvimento de um novo produto. Já no ganho de redução de custos e riscos, os achados foram sobre a segurança de pagamento, adiantamentos e investimentos, e sobre o compartilhamento de atividades e complementariedade de técnicas. Por fim, no ganho de relações sociais identificou-se como principais achados a transparência e confiança, e a concorrência interna e comportamentos oportunistas. Todos esses achados foram comparados também com os princípios e características do comércio justo. Pode-se afirmar então que essa pesquisa testou os limites da aplicação do modelo de ganhos competitivos em redes de cooperação ao comércio justo, ampliando as perspectivas teóricas sobre o tema. Como estudos futuros recomenda-se que sejam realizadas replicações dessa pesquisa em casos múltiplos de artesanato e outros produtos do comércio justo, bem como sejam realizadas pesquisas descritivas com artesãos, outros produtores e demais atores do comércio justo. Ainda, uma recomendação para pesquisas futuras é a de aprofundar o estudo da relação entre as variáveis do comércio justo e dos ganhos competitivos em redes de cooperação, ou até mesmo da relação entre as variáveis dos diversos ganhos competitivos entre si. / The present work starts from two theoretical propositions to reach the following research problem: how do competitive gains from cooperation networks may be provided to craftsworkers in a Fairtrade initiative? From this research problem, the aim of this work is to empirically comprehend which competitive gains presented by the literature are provided to the crafts workers that participate in a Fairtrade initiative and how the different actors of this initiative perceive these competitive gains. To accomplish the main goal, the following specific objectives were determined: identify a craftwork Fairtrade initiative and analyze it as a cooperation network; map the actors that compose this Fairtrade initiative; identify the competitive gains of the crafts workers from the Fairtrade initiative vision; identify the competitive gains perceived by crafts workers that integrate the Fairtrade initiative; complement the analysis with the vision from part of the other actors of the network about the identified competitive gains; and compare the findings with the Fairtrade principles and characteristics. As a research methodology, an exploratory study was conducted, with a strategy of unique and integrated case study with a qualitative approach. The case studied was Rede Astas\'s, and the sources of evidence used were 8 interviews with a semi structured script, Rede Asta\'s documents and informal direct observing, while the treatment and analysis of the data were made through content analysis, resulting in 20 analytical categories and 7 final categories, after gathering the referred analytical categories. As first results, it was possible to justify the choice of the case, analyzing it also as a cooperation network. Still, the main actors from this network were mapped, being them the suppliers, the productive groups, Rede Asta, the counselors, the final consumers, the companies and the partner organizations. When analyzing the competitive gain of scale and market power, the main findings were related to the access to consumer markets and sales growth, relationship with suppliers and credibility and legitimacy. On the gain of solutions access, the main findings were about trainings for pricing, prospection of companies, communication and cultural valorization and the access to differentiated credit. On learning and innovation, the main findings were exchange of market, trends, products and techniques informations, and development of new products. As for the gain on cost and risks reductions, the findings were about payment safety, advances and investments, and about activities sharing and technical complementation. Finally, in the gain on social relations it was identified as main findings the transparency and trust, and the internal competition and opportunists behaviors. All these findings were compared also to the Fairtrade principles and characteristics. It is possible to affirm, then, that this research tested the limits of applying the model of competitive gains within cooperation networks to Fairtrade, expanding the theoretical perspectives of the subject. For future studies are recommended to be done re-applications of this research in multiple cases of craft work and other products from Fairtrade, as well as new descriptive researches with crafts workers, other producers and other actors from Fairtrade. Still, a recommendation for future researches is to deepen the study of relationships between the variables from Fairtrade and from competitive gains in cooperation networks, or even of the relationship between the variables of different competitive gains within each other.

As empresas de pequeno e médio portes (PME´s) têm procurado estabelecer várias formas de cooperação atualmente, objetivando se manterem competitivas num mercado cada vez mais globalizado. As redes de empresas representam um tipo de cooperação bastante funcional para PME´s. As redes assumem várias formas, dentre elas: os consórcios de exportação, os arranjos produtivos locais ou clusters industriais, as cooperativas, os aglomerados, as organizações virtuais. O consórcio de exportação, que é a união de empresas de pequeno e médio porte do mesmo segmento produtivo e/ou complementares para juntas exportarem seus produtos, pode ser apontado como uma importante estratégia para a inserção daquelas empresas no mercado internacional. A sinergia obtida proporciona as seguintes vantagens para as empresas participantes: redução de custos gerais de exportação (em especial a promoção), minimização do risco de exportar individualmente, aumento de competitividade das empresas, efeito motivador sobre os participantes, maior segurança na penetração e diversificação de mercados, alavancagem das vendas externas, possibilidade de exportar com marca própria, maior poder político em negociações com entidades de apoio ao comércio exterior, entre outras. Para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, realizou-se o levantamento bibliográfico sobre Redes de Cooperação de Empresas, Estratégia de Entrada em Mercados Internacionais e Consórcios de Exportação. O objetivo geral desse trabalho é descrever o processo de inserção das pequenas e médias empresas no mercado internacional via consórcios de exportação, discutindo o papel dessa forma de organização em redes. Como objetivos específicos, têm-se: - Identificar as motivações das PME´s para a formação de consórcios (redes de cooperação de empresas); - Identificar características de estrutura e funcionamento de consórcios de exportação no Brasil; - Verificar o desempenho exportador de consórcios de exportação no Brasil. Utilizou-se o método de estudo de caso (YIN, 2001) para se analisar: o consórcio Brazilian Health Products (BHP), do setor Médico-Odontológico-Hospitalar, estabelecido em Ribeirão Preto ? S.P., o consórcio Components & Machinery by Brasil, do setor de Componentes para Calçados, estabelecido e em atividade em Franca ? SP e o Projeto Setorial Integrado (PSI), originado a partir de um consórcio, Wines from Brazil, do setor Vinícola, estabelecido em Bento Gonçalves - RS. Entrevistas em profundidade semi-estruturadas e análise documental foram conduzidas como parte do processo de elaboração dos estudos de caso. Entrevistas complementares foram conduzidas na APEX-Brasil, com o intuito de obter informações complementares sobre consórcios de exportação no Brasil. Como alguns dos resultados obtidos, têm-se: os consórcios constituem uma importante estratégia na inserção de pequenas e médias empresas no mercado internacional; o aporte financeiro concedido pela APEX-Brasil é fundamental para o funcionamento do consórcio; os consórcios estudados obtiveram um bom desempenho exportador durante suas atividades; o governo brasileiro (APEX-Brasil) tem direcionado sua estratégia de exportação dos consórcios para os Projetos Setoriais Integrados. / Nowadays, small industries have chosen to establish different ways to cooperate, intending to keep themselves competitive face to a globalized market. The inter-organizational networks represent a strategy of cooperation very efficient for industries. The networks can adopt different types: the export consortia, the industrial clusters, the cooperatives, the agglomerates, the virtual organizations. The export consortium, which is the union of small industries of the same industry and/ or complementary intending to export together their products, can be pointed out as an important strategy to insert those industries in the international market. The synergy obtained offers the following advantages for the participant industries: export costs reduction, minimization of the risk to export individually, increasing of industries competitiveness, motivating effect among participants, safety to penetrate and diversify markets, to boost international sales, possibility to export with its own brand, political power to deal with entities related to international business, among others. To develop this research, a bibliographic review was performed about Inter-organizational Networks, Modes of Foreign Entry and Export Consortia. The general goal of this research is to describe the insertion processes of small and medium industries (SMI) in the international market through export consortia, discussing the role of this kind of networks. The specific goals are: - To identify the SMI´s motivations to the consortia formation (inter-organizational networks); - To identify characteristics of structure and operationalization of export consortia in Brazil; - To verify the exporter performance of export consortia in Brasil.The case study method was used (YIN, 2001) to analyse: the consortium Brazilian Health Products (BHP) ? Medical-Odontological industry, established in Ribeirão Preto ? S.P., the consortium Components & Machinery by Brasil ? Components for Leather Shoes industry, established and operating in Franca ? S.P. and the Integrated Sectorial Project (ISP) which originated from a consortium, Wines from Brazil ? Wine industry, established in Bento Gonçalves - RS. Semi-structured interviews and documental analysis were conducted as part of the process to elaborate the study cases. Complementary interviews were conductcted at APEX-Brasil, aiming to get further information about export consortia in Brasil. As some results, we can mention: - the export consortia are an important strategy to insert small and medium industries in the international market; - the financial add offered by APEX-Brasil is fundamental to the consortia development; - the consortia studied have a very good export performance; - the Brazilian Government (APEX-Brasil) has been redirecting its export promotion strategy from export consortia to the ISP.

O processo de globalização e o acirramento do mercado competitivo tem conduzido as organizações a buscarem novas alternativas em suas estruturas e em suas relações com outras organizações e com o meio em que estão inseridas. Uma saída para adquirir maior competitividade está na intensificação e formalização destes relacionamentos, o que dá origem a estruturas organizacionais cada vez mais complexas, com instituições que apresentam relacionamentos interorganizacionais em grande escala. Estes tipos de arranjos são bastante comuns na área de saúde, já que tais organizações necessitam se relacionar intensamente com outras para a obtenção de resultados desejados. Diante desse contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou estudar uma instituição de saúde a fim de analisar qual a participação das diversas organizações presentes dentro de seu ambiente e como elas influenciam seus padrões institucionais. Para tanto foi utilizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, com o método de estudo de caso, sendo escolhido para tal o Centro de Saúde Escola da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Os dados foram coletados por meio de análise documental, observação e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com. A análise comparativa dos dados foi baseada no referencial teórico, abrangendo conceitos de estrutura organizacional, teoria institucional e administração por projetos. Concluiu-se que o Centro de Saúde Escola forma um campo de organizações com objetivos distintos em princípio, porém que se convergem na procuram de legitimidade. Além disso, neste campo também se institucionalizam os projetos implementados na unidade, os quais são à base da prestação de serviços e que intensificam os relacionamentos interorganizacionais neste ambiente. / The process of globalization and the worsening of the competitive market have led organizations to seek new alternatives in their structures and their relations with other organizations and with the environment in which they are inserted. An alternative to get more competitive is the intensification and formalization of these relationships, which gives rise to organizational structures more complexs, with institutions that have intense interorganizational relationships. These types of organizational arrangements are fairly common in the health area, because those organizations need to relate closely with others to obtain the desired results. In this context, this paper aims to study a health organization with the objective to analyze the participation of various organizations present within its environment and how they influence their institutional standards. For this, had used a qualitative research, with the method of case study, being chosen for such a School Health Center of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto. Data were collected through documentary analysis, observation and semi-structured interviews. Comparative analysis of the data was based on the theory, including concepts of organizational structure, institutional theory and administration projects. It was concluded that the School Health Center as a field of organizations with different goals in principle, but they converge in search of legitimacy. Moreover, in this field the projects implemented also institutionalize, which are based on services and increase the interorganizational relationships in this environment.

Den hårdnande konkurrensen mellan företag och jakten efter kostnadsbesparingar har fått vissa företag att outsourca sina stödfunktioner vilket kan vara hela eller delar av ekonomifunktionen. Av mindre företag i Sverige outsourcar cirka ett av tre och andelen är i stigande enligt Exido(2007). Trenden gäller även för stora företag enligt Deloitte (2014). Genomgångna studier, framförallt studier av outsourcingrelationer mellan större företag, utförda antingen explicit på outsourcingrelationer eller det bredare begreppet interorganisatoriska relationer visar att det finns områden som är återkommande i forskningen. De benämns som nyckelområden i denna studie och är kontrakt, kontroll, relation, förtroende, kostnad, kvalitet och kompetens. Jag har beskrivit och analyserat fyra outsourcingrelationer där hela eller delar av ekonomifunktionen outsourcas från det outsourcande företagets synvinkel med syfte att undersöka om det finns nyckelområden som är viktigare än andra för att outsourcingen ska anses lyckad. Empiriska data har samlats in genom intervjuer med fyra personer i ledande befattningar hos outsourcande företag i Sundsvallsområdet. Resultatet tyder på att det finns nyckelområden som anses vara viktigare än andra vilket för respondenterna i denna studie är kompetens, framförallt, och kvalitet. Anledningen till att kompetens bedöms som det viktigaste nyckelområdet är att kompetens saknades internt och att den anses driva andra nyckelområden som t.ex. kvalitet. Det minst viktiga området för en lyckad outsourcingrelation visade sig vara kontraktet. / The increasing competition between companies and the hunt for cost savings have driven some companies to choose outsourcing for a part of or all of the support functions within the financial function. For smaller companies in Sweden one out of three are outsourcing and the trend is increasing according to Exido (2007). The increasing trend also applies to big companies according to Deloitte (2014). Outsourcing studies reviewed, mainly studying the outsourcing relationship between big companies, either explicit on outsourcing relationships or the broader concept of interorganizational relationships have shown that there are areas of outsourcing relationships that are recurring in the field of research. These are referred to as key areas in this study and are contract, control, relationship, trust, cost, quality and competence. I have described and analysed four outsourcing relationships from the perspective of the company using outsourcing with the purpose to investigate whether there are key areas that are more important than others for the outsourcing to be deemed as successful. Empirical data have been collected through interviews with persons in management position at companies that use outsourcing in the Sundsvall area. The result of this study indicates that there are key areas that are more important than others for companies utilizing outsourcing. For the participants in this study these are foremost competence and secondly quality. The reason why competence is the most important key area is that the companies lacked internal competence and because competence is deemed to drive other key areas, e.g. quality. The least important key area for a successful outsourcing relationship turned out to be the contract.

More than three decades ago the notion of trust was introduced into the management accounting (MA) literature, and a growing stream of empirical papers elaborating on the relation between MA controls and trust signals the importance andvitality of this research area. However, a closer look at the literature shows that while major insights have been made, there is also considerable confusion around both research models and the meanings of key concepts. Accordingly, the time seems opportune to conduct an extended and critical review of the legacies of this literature. More precisely, the aims of the study are to (i) analyze how MA and trust have been conceptualized and related to each other; (ii) identify weaknesses andknowledge gaps in the literature; and, (iii) based on these, suggest how the literature may be synthesized and developed in the future. In so doing, this thesis analyses 37 empirical studies focusing specifically on the association between MA and trust. Overall, two key findings emerge from the analysis. A first key finding is that the area can be characterized as fragmented. More specifically, many different terms are used to denote similar concepts, and vice versa. The literature is also characterized by different levels of analysis, and different, potentially conflicting research models. The literature is also underpinned by different theoretical perspectives, of which some have conflicting assumptions. The second key finding is that there are several knowledge gaps and weaknesses in th eliterature. For example, while a majority of studies shows that MA is a factor affecting trust, MA itself is oftentimes left unexplained. Also, many studies conceptualize trust from the perspective of only one party in a relationship, and the questions of how and why MA and trust (co)develops and emerges over time are largely unaddressed. Furthermore, while researchers have empirically studied both personal trust and system trust, respectively, no one has modelled how they may be interrelated. Based on these findings, a model is proposed which not only synthesizes the extant literature, but also indentifies new, potentially important associations between different MA and trust factors. The model—consisting of twelve propositions—also theorizes how these factors affect each other over time. The thesis concludes with a number of suggestions for how to develop this research area in the future.

In 2002, the Canadian government released a new Sport Policy that has included 'enhanced interaction' as one of its four goals for sport organizations (Canadian Heritage, 2002). Research on interorganizational relationships (IORs) specific to the Canadian sport context has suggested that while broad potential benefits exist for organizations seeking to build linkages (Thibault & Harvey, 1997), organizations need to be aware of the challenges that are involved in managing IORs (Thibault, Frisby & Kikulis, 1999; Thibault, Kikulis, & Frisby, in press; Frisby, Thibault, & Kikulis, in press). The purpose of the study was to examine collaborative advantage and collaborative inertia in IORs between a sport organization and recreation organizations using Huxham and Vangen's (2000a) conceptual framework. Studying the IORs of a provincial sport organization (PSO) involves a stakeholder group that has not been the object of previous IOR research in Canadian sport, despite the suggestion that a more comprehensive understanding of different stakeholder perspectives was needed (Thibault & Harvey, 1997). Huxham and MacDonald's research found that both collaborative advantage (achieving a result that each individual organization could not achieve alone) and collaborative inertia (where IORs do not move forward, leading to frustration) are possible outcomes of relationships (1992). Huxham and Vangen's (2000a) seven factors causing collaborative inertia were used to understand the extent to which inertia was present in the cases studied, and how inertia in the IORs was being managed. In this qualitative study, data gathered from document analysis, information meetings and observations, and semi-structured interviews revealed that collaborative advantage was achieved in the two relationships between a PSO (Tennis BC) and two municipal recreation departments (Lake City and River City). The findings also suggest that the factors leading to collaborative inertia existed in different amounts in these IORs. The inertia present existed in two different forms. The first was related to Huxham and Vangen's factors that described collaborative inertia emerging from organizational sources, and the second was related to individual sources, such as difficulties in communicating, negotiating power and trust, and negotiating autonomy. Another significant finding suggested that divergent expectations that emerged at the end of the first year of the IOR present a threat for increased collaborative inertia in the future of these IORs if not adequately managed. The role of IORs is increasingly important to sport organizations in Canada (cf. Babiak, 2003; Glover, 1999a; 1999b; Thibault et al., 1999; in press; Frisby et al., in press). Researchers have overlooked understanding the challenges of managing these relationships until recently (Frisby, et al., in press). Findings from this study support the notion that factors emerge during collaborative actions between organizations that pose a threat to realizing the advantages identified during the formation of IORs. Continued research on the process of managing IORs is needed to better understand how inertia can be limited to ensure Canadian sport organizations maximize advantage through these relationships. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

In order to deal with on-going environmental pressures and uncertainty, organizations have established linkages with other organizations as one strategy to deal with these new challenges (Fenell, Ross & Warnecke, 1987; Oliver, 1990; 1991; Thibault, Frisby & Kikulis, 1997). The establishment of partnerships is viewed by organizations as a new way of operating to control and minimize environmental pressures. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand issues of interorganizational relations between local governments, specifically departments of Parks and Recreation and community organizations providing recreation and sport services. Specifically, reasons for being involved in partnerships as well as advantages and challenges of partnerships were investigated as part of this research. The City of Surrey was selected as the research site for this study on the analysis of interorganizational relationships between its Parks and Recreation department and three community organizations providing recreation services and programs: Surrey Knights Swim Club, Surrey Youth Soccer Association, and Surrey Minor Hockey Association. The City of Surrey was chosen given its large territory, its population growth, its decreasing funds for recreation services, and its limited number of recreation facilities. Through semi-structured interviews with key informants, issues on interorganizational relations were discussed. The main reasons for involvement were described as access to financial and facility resources. With the economic pressures that local governments are facing, the establishment of partnerships represents an appealing option to meet these challenges. Furthermore, the Surrey Parks and Recreation department is linking with community organizations in order to gain credibility within the community. By establishing working partnerships with one another, community organizations and Surrey Parks and Recreation department are able to provide the same level of services to the community, consequently leading to the welfare of the community. The final topic that was discussed during this research was the levels of intensity of the partnerships and its relation to loss of autonomy. Using Oliver's (1990) model, it was found that all levels of intensity were evident at one point or another in the partnerships and that these levels varied according to the environmental context. However, the loss of autonomy, as described by Oliver (1990) did not appear to be a factor influencing the partnerships. This might be due to the fact that all partners were involved in these partnerships for the same goals and purposes and not to compete against each other. Interorganizational relationships were an intricate and important dimension of the organizations studied. It is essential for organizations to better understand issues surrounding partnerships in order to effectively engage in linkages that are beneficial to all partners involved in this process and to the public. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

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. / 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.

The role of continuous innovation is imperative to creating and maintaining sustainablecommunities. The role of collaboration is also imperative to creating and maintainingsustainable communities. Researchers mean that the educational system should be an activeplayer in supporting government policies to promote local entrepreneurship and find it crucialto create collaborations among and within universities to achieve this. But what if the practiceof the solution is the complex phenomenon? The word “collaboration” is a multifaceted termthat has created a lot of ambiguities amongst organizations. This study therefore aimed tounravel the characteristics of inter-organizational collaboration between university-linkedinnovation organizations by studying the collaboration between two innovation organizationslinked to Malmö University. The outcome was depicted in a model as a suggestion to aframework of the collaborative efforts between university-linked innovation organizations.Whereas there are a number of pre-identified elements for successful collaboration, it wasfound that five distinct elements played a bigger role than others. These are committedmembers, access to resources, relationships & mutuality, diverse skillset and time& patience.These, alongside with a conflict-resolution strategy and a defined process map out thecornerstones of the suggested model.