<p>This thesis focuses on regional strategic networks (RSNs). RSNs are used as a tool for regional development with a view to strengthening regional relationship-development and networking by forming regional groups of actors. The thesis aims to clarify the nature of RSNs and the value of geographical proximity in both theoretical and practical terms. Theories regarding effects of geographical proximity, regional agglomerations and networks are presented, and their possible application to RSNs is analyzed. Furthermore, findings from two case studies are reported. </p><p>In the RSN study, the generally most highly valued outcome was the development of new relationships among the participants. Such relationships allowed for mutual learning and information exchange and also meant that for several participants the firms’ horizons were extended and their positions changed. Furthermore, internal marketing of training opportunities, in combination with financial subsidies, attracted several participants who attended training programmes on subjects that they would not otherwise have spent so much time on. However, few firms could state concrete results in terms of new business exchange or cooperative projects. The impact of structural factors on RSN outcomes is therefore discussed, in particular the impact of the membership composition of an RSN. Furthermore, important RSN-evaluation challenges are highlighted. </p><p>The second study demonstrated that most R&D done by firms is characterized either by incremental, gradual technology development and low importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations or by fast, step-wise technology development and high importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations. </p>

This thesis focuses on regional strategic networks (RSNs). RSNs are used as a tool for regional development with a view to strengthening regional relationship-development and networking by forming regional groups of actors. The thesis aims to clarify the nature of RSNs and the value of geographical proximity in both theoretical and practical terms. Theories regarding effects of geographical proximity, regional agglomerations and networks are presented, and their possible application to RSNs is analyzed. Furthermore, findings from two case studies are reported. In the RSN study, the generally most highly valued outcome was the development of new relationships among the participants. Such relationships allowed for mutual learning and information exchange and also meant that for several participants the firms’ horizons were extended and their positions changed. Furthermore, internal marketing of training opportunities, in combination with financial subsidies, attracted several participants who attended training programmes on subjects that they would not otherwise have spent so much time on. However, few firms could state concrete results in terms of new business exchange or cooperative projects. The impact of structural factors on RSN outcomes is therefore discussed, in particular the impact of the membership composition of an RSN. Furthermore, important RSN-evaluation challenges are highlighted. The second study demonstrated that most R&amp;D done by firms is characterized either by incremental, gradual technology development and low importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations or by fast, step-wise technology development and high importance of geographical proximity to customers, suppliers and academic research organizations.

As a consequence of the increased incidence of collaborative arrangements between firms, the competitive environment characterising many industries has undergone profound change. It is suggested that rivalry is not necessarily enacted by individual firms according to the traditional mechanisms of direct confrontation in factor and product markets, but rather as collaborative orchestration between a number of participants or network members. Strategic networks are recognised as sets of firms within an industry that exhibit denser strategic linkages among themselves than other firms within the same industry. Based on this, strategic networks are determined according to evidence of strategic alliances between firms comprising the industry. As a result, a single strategic network represents a group of firms closely linked according to collaborative ties. Arguably, the collective outcome of these strategic relationships engineered between firms suggest that the collaborative benefits attributed to interorganisational relationships require closer examination in respect to their propensity to influence rivalry in intraindustry environments. Derived in large from the social sciences, network theory allows for the micro and macro examination of the opportunities and constraints inherent in the structure of relationships in strategic networks, establishing a relational approach upon which the conduct and performance of firms can be more fully understood. Research to date has yet to empirically investigate the relationship between strategic networks and rivalry. The limited research that has been completed utilising a network rationale to investigate competitive patterns in contemporary industry environments has been characterised by a failure to directly measure rivalry. Further, this prior research has typically embedded investigation in industry settings dominated by technological or regulatory imperatives, such as the microprocessor and airline industries. These industries, due to the presence of such imperatives, are arguably more inclined to support the realisation of network rivalry, through subscription to prescribed technological standards (eg., microprocessor industry) or by being bound by regulatory constraints dictating operation within particular market segments (airline industry). In order to counter these weaknesses, the proposition guiding research - Are patterns of rivalry predicted by strategic network membership? – is embedded in the United States Light Vehicles Industry, an industry not dominated by technological or regulatory imperatives. Further, rivalry is directly measured and utilised in research, thus distinguishing this investigation from prior research efforts. The timeframe of investigation is 1993 – 1999, with all research data derived from secondary sources. Strategic networks were defined within the United States Light Vehicles Industry based on evidence of horizontal strategic relationships between firms comprising the industry. The measure of rivalry used to directly ascertain the competitive patterns of industry participants was derived from the traditional Herfindahl Index, modified to account for patterns of rivalry observed at the market segment level. Statistical analyses of the strategic network and rivalry constructs found little evidence to support the contention of network rivalry; indeed, greater levels of rivalry were observed between firms comprising the same strategic network than between firms participating in opposing network structures. Based on these results, patterns of rivalry evidenced in the United States Light Vehicle Industry over the period 1993 – 1999 were not found to be predicted by strategic network membership. The findings generated by this research are in contrast to current theorising in the strategic network – rivalry realm. In this respect, these findings are surprising. The relevance of industry type, in conjunction with prevailing network methodology, provides the basis upon which these findings are contemplated. Overall, this study raises some important questions in relation to the relevancy of the network rivalry rationale, establishing a fruitful avenue for further research.

This study examined the exposure of the Nextel brand name in major U.S. newspapers 1 year before and after Nextel became the primary sponsor of the North American Stock Car Association of Racing. A content analysis of 576 newspaper articles was performed. The hypotheses tested the quantity and quality of Nextel's coverage, as well where the stories were appearing and where the brand was being used in the stories. The study found the number of Nextel mentions in year two was almost 4 times as many as year one. The data reveal a dramatic increase in cases found in sports stories. In regard to value, Nextel's NASCAR sponsorship resulted in less negative and considerably more neutral media coverage. However, Nextel's mentions also became less positive. Nextel mentions associated with NASCAR increased in year two, from none in year one to 62.5% of all cases in year two.

Prior research on the strength of embeddedness ties in strategic networks in influencing innovation performance has produced inconsistent conclusions. In this paper, drawing on an investment perspective on firms¡¦ decision behavior, we argue that the ¡§control benefits¡¨¡Xanother characteristics of strategic networks¡Xalso affects firms¡¦ innovation performance. According to previous research, we adopt the speed of ¡§patent application¡¨ and ¡§market introduction of a new product¡¨ to measure innovation performance. Furthermore, we divide firms¡¦ innovation strategies into ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨, ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ as well as ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨. We examine the relationship between the strength of enbeddedness ties and firms¡¦ innovation performance using the theoretical frames of game theory and real options. After the analysis of Cournot duopoly game model and real options approach, several findings are acquired as follows: (a) the higher the strength of embeddedness ties, the more likely the firm is to abandon the innovation strategy ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨ and adopt innovation strategies ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ or ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨; (b) if the firm adopts the innovation strategy ¡§apply for a patent and introduce the new product to market later¡¨, then the strength of embeddedness ties has a positive effect on the speed of market introduction of the new product, but the relationship between the strength of embeddedness ties and the speed of patent application is not sure; (c) if the firm adopts innovation strategies ¡§patent the innovation and market introduction immediately¡¨ or ¡§introduce the new product to market and apply for a patent later¡¨, then the strength of embeddedness ties has both positive and negative impact on the speed of ¡§patent application¡¨ and ¡§market introduction of a new product¡¨, and therefore the relationship between the strength of embeddedness ties and the innovator¡¦s innovation performance is indeterminable. The research findings indicate that the innovator may delay the application for patent or postpone the launching of a new product because of the ¡§control benefits¡¨ derived from different strength of embeddedness ties. These results have broad implications for future research on strategic networks and innovation.

[pt] A indústria mundial de celulose e papel vem passando por um processo de reestruturação, envolvendo fusões e aquisições, motivado pela intensificação da concorrência que leva à necessidade de escalas de produção cada vez mais elevadas. Nesse cenário, é importante a mobilização, pelas empresas de um grande volume de recursos financeiros e a aquisição de novas competências gerenciais. O Brasil apresenta ótimos indicadores de competitividade na produção de celulose em virtude, principalmente, das condições de solo, clima e tecnologia florestal. No entanto, as empresas brasileiras enfrentam o desafio de lidar com empresas líderes globais do setor de papel, de porte bastante superior. A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo contribuir aos estudos sobre a gestão das empresas inseridas em alianças, focando a questão das implicações estratégicas sobre seu desempenho. O estudo teve como foco a Aracruz Celulose, empresa líder mundial na produção de celulose de fibra curta de mercado, e que tem estabelecido importantes alianças estratégicas visando a sustentar sua vantagem competitiva. A partir da utilização da metodologia de estudo de caso com triangulação de métodos, os dados da pesquisa foram coletados por meio de investigação documental/telematizada e de levantamento de percepções com auxílio de questionário predominantemente estruturado, além de entrevistas complementares, sendo posteriormente tratados com métodos quantitativos e qualitativos. A interpretação e a análise dos dados basearam-se no referencial teórico, fundamentado em revisão de literatura pertinente à área de estudo, com auxílio do modelo genérico-integrativo de Macedo-Soares em suas versões tradicional e relacional. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que a análise na ótica relacional, que leva em conta as implicações estratégicas das alianças, agrega valor à análise tradicional, contribuindo com novos insights para a tomada de decisão estratégica da empresa. / [en] The world pulp and paper industry has been going through continuos restructuring process, involving mergers and acquisitions as a consequence of intense competition, which requires large-scale production. In this situation it is important for companies to mobilize huge amounts of financial resources and to acquire new managerial skills. Brazil is a major competitor in pulp production due, mainly, to its soil, climate and forest technology. Besides, the Brazilian pulp and paper companies are facing the challenge to dealing with highly productive world leading paper companies. This study aims to contribute to research into strategic management of firms involved in alliances, focusing on the strategic implications of their performance. The work focuses on Aracruz Celulose, the world leader company in the production of short fiber market pulp, which has built up important strategic alliances with the aim of reinforcing its competitiveness. Documental/telematic investigations as well as a survey and indepth interviews were used to collect data with the help of case study methodology and the triangulation of methods strategy. The theoretical framework for data interpretation and analysis was based on literature about the topic, with the support Macedo-Soares s systemic and integrative model in its traditional and relational versions. The research findings indicate that the relational view, which takes into account strategic implications of alliances, adds value to the traditional analysis, contributing new insights to company s strategic decision-making.

Submitted by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T15:40:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T15:41:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Debora Cristina Bonfim Aquarone (deborabonfim@espm.br) on 2018-03-01T18:46:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-05T10:51:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rony_Salgado_Locher.pdf: 3026470 bytes, checksum: c47f4365b124896e5d1467fad82113d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-20 / This research investigates how strategic networks contribute to the financial and operational performance of an recycling company in the international field. The theoretical and conceptual framework includes: industrial ecology, strategic networks and sustainable competitive advantage. In the empirical part of the qualitative nature, which has the natural environment as a direct source of data and the researcher as a fundamental instrument, a case study was carried out, which is a specific process chosen for the development of this research, through exploratory research with a company Brazilian company for the recycling of electronic circuit boards, which has been operating in the market for more than 15 years, exporting this type of material for processing in secondary smelters abroad. In all, seven in-depth interviews were conducted with the managing partners of the company, and one executive of the smelter processing company abroad. From these interviews, three of them requested confidentiality of both their identities and the content presented. The rest are in this in the research described in their entirety. As results, the main findings indicate that a company to participate in a network, must have proprietary resources, its full domain and knowledge, such as: access to information, resources, markets and technologies with the advantages of learning and economies of scale And scope allowing companies to achieve their strategic objectives as risk reduction and outsourcing of the stages of the value chain and organizational functions. These resources must also be those of the other companies in the network; There must still be a durable and reliable relationship over time, a relationship that is not opportunistic and that generates mutual trust. With these elements we will have the creation of ties, which can be identified as links of common interest, which will keep the network cohesive and competitive in their respective markets. This relationship can generate over time a sustainable competitive advantage, which can express superiority of the network in relation to its competition, adding value, which can not be simultaneously implemented by other companies. / Esta pesquisa investiga como redes estratégicas contribuem para o desempenho financeiro e operacional de uma empresa de reciclagem em âmbito internacional. O referencial teórico e conceitual inclui: ecologia industrial, redes estratégicas e vantagem competitiva sustentável. Na parte empírica de natureza qualitativa, que tem o ambiente natural como fonte direta de dados e o pesquisador como instrumento fundamental, foi realizado um estudo de caso, que é um processo específico escolhido para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, através de pesquisa exploratória com uma empresa brasileira de reciclagem de placas de circuito eletrônico, que atua no mercado há mais de 15 anos, exportando esse tipo de material para processamento em fundições secundárias no exterior. Ao todo foram conduzidas sete entrevistas em profundidade com os sócios gestores da empresa, e um executivo da fundição processadora no exterior. Dessas entrevistas, três delas solicitaram sigilo tanto de suas identidades, como dos conteúdos apresentados. As demais estão nesta na pesquisa descritas na sua totalidade. Também foram analisados seis estudos e relatórios nacionais e internacionais, e mais de 200 páginas de matérias publicadas em mídia impressa e digital sobre o tema. Como resultados, os principais achados indicam que uma empresa para participar de uma rede, tem que ter recursos proprietários, do seu pleno domínio e conhecimento, tais como: acesso à informação, recursos, mercados e tecnologias com as vantagens de aprendizado e economias de escala e escopo permitindo às empresas atingirem a seus objetivos estratégicos como diminuição de riscos e terceirização dos estágios da cadeia de valor e funções organizacionais. Tais recursos devem também ser os das outras empresas da rede; tem ainda que existir um relacionamento durável e confiável ao longo do tempo, relacionamento esse, não oportunista, e que gere confiança mútua. Com esses elementos teremos então a criação de laços, que podem ser identificados como vínculos de comum interesse, que manterão a rede coesa e competitiva nos seus respectivos mercados de atuação. Essa relação pode gerar ao longo do tempo uma vantagem competitiva sustentável, que pode expressar superioridade da rede em relação a sua concorrência, agregando valor, que não possa ser simultaneamente incorporado por outras empresas.

[pt] As empresas do setor de aviação sempre celebraram acordos operacionais,no intuito de racionalizar operações e reduzir custos. Com o cenário mundial cada vez mais competitivo e conturbado, a integração em redes de alianças estratégicas torna-se um meio eficaz e cada vez mais comum de sobrevivência e excelência. O propósito desta dissertação de mestrado é abrir caminho para verificar a adequação da associação de empresas em blocos estratégicos no setor de aviação às suas estratégias individuais, por meio do estudo de caso da VARIG como membro da Star Alliance. O desempenho da VARIG também é levado em consideração no estudo como variável dependente, ajudando na compreensão desta adequação. O estudo teve como foco a VARIG, maior empresa aérea da América Latina, e sua associação à Star Alliance, maior aliança entre empresas aéreas atualmente existentes. Dispunha-se de vários bancos de dados para alimentar a pesquisa, provenientes de órgãos e associações ligadas à aviação civil no Brasil e no mundo. Também foram analisadas as percepções dos principais executivos da VARIG (envolvidos em atividades da Star Alliance) sobre a importância das alianças para a estratégia da VARIG, coletadas com auxílio de um questionário semi-estruturado como instrumento principal. O presente estudo procura, com o auxílio de um novo ferramental para realizar análises estratégicas na perspectiva relacional, analisar as implicações estratégicas da associação em Redes e Alianças sobre os negócios e estratégias da VARIG. / [en] In order to rationalise operations and reduce costs, airlines have always celebrated operational agreements. As the world scenario becomes more competitive and turbulent, networks of strategic alliances become an effective and common tool for survival and excellence. The objective of this thesis is to pave the way for studies that verify the analysis of the strategic fit of companies in forming strategic blocks in the aviation industry by way of a case study of VARIG as a member of Star Alliance. Performance is also taken into consideration in the scope of the case study, as a dependent variable, so as to better assess the fit at issue. The study focuses on VARIG, the largest Latin American airline, and its association with Star Alliance, currently the greatest airline alliance. Several civil aviation organisations and associations, located in Brazil and world-wide, provide useful data banks for the research. With the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, the study also collected data regarding the perception of VARIGs main executives (those involved in Star Alliance activities) on the importance of alliances for VARIGs strategy. The study aims at analysing the strategic implications of VARIGs association in alliances for its businesses and strategies, using a new tool developed to carry out strategic analysis from a relational perspective.

The purpose of this thesis is to describe and analyse the impact collaboration in strategic networks has on the individual company’s development. The particular focus is especially on whether the collaboration has contributed something to the individual company, which in the long run can help to improve the possibilities for a better outcome. The study is based on three research questions: 1) what happens on the network level respective the company level during collaboration; 2) what is the link between the activities of the strategic network and the individual company, and 3) what is the reason why the individual company is affected.The empirical data in the study consists of four strategic networks, and eleven participating companies. The study began in late spring 2004 and ended in spring 2008. Data was collected on several occasions during the study period. The companies that participated in the strategic networks were small and belonged to the wood product manufacturing sector. All four strategic networks participated in Nutek’s “Träklusterprogram” (Wood cluster program) which ran 2003-2005, but they all continued being active after the program ended. There are previous studies on strategic networks, but by studying both the strategic networks and the participating companies, this thesis adds new dimension, a discussion as to how collaboration could affect the participating companies’ strategies and development.The thesis shows that collaboration in strategic networks, which in reality is a relatively small part of a company’s operations, could have a significant strategic importance for example on the production process, marketing and external relations.Interesting findings from the study include indications that there may be a clear difference in how the individual company is affected, depending on whether the strategic network has market or competence related goals. Moreover, collaboration in strategic networks can improve a business executive’s self-confidence and infuse him or her with inspiration, with the result that he or she will dare to invest and take on more challenges. Among other things, this can have the effect that the company’s strategies are implemented and goals reached.For the strategic network, the results indicate that an enthusiastic, committed leader of the collaboration seems to diminish the importance of a well-structured organization, that is to say that a leader with drive is more important than a formal organization. The thesis also stresses the importance of a socialization process in strategic networks in order for them to be successful, in the sense that the participants should get to know each other and their respective companies. Finally, the company representatives’ commitment to the collaboration and their attitude to it tend to overshadow the importance of other factors. / Den här avhandlingens syfte är att beskriva och analysera vilken påverkan samarbete i strategiska nätverk har på det enskilda företagets utveckling. Speciellt fokus ligger på om samarbetet har tillfört det enskilda företaget något som i förlängningen kan bidra till att förbättra företagets förutsättningar för ett bättre resultat. Tre forskningsfrågor ligger till grund för studien: 1) vad händer på nätverknivå respektive företagsnivå under samarbete; 2) hur ser kopplingen ut mellan verksamheten i det strategiska nätverk och det enskilda företaget samt 3) vad är orsaken till att det enskilda företaget påverkas.I studien ingick empirisk data från fyra strategiska nätverk samt från elva av de deltagande företagen. Studien inleddes försommaren 2004 och avslutades våren 2008. Datamaterial samlades in vid ett flertal tillfällen under studieperioden. Samtliga företag som deltog i de strategiska nätverken tillhörde träförädlingsbranschen och var småföretag. Alla fyra strategiska nätverk var med i Nuteks Träklusterprogram som pågick 2003-2005, men verksamheten i samtliga fortgick efter att programmet avslutades.Det finns sedan tidigare studier på strategiska nätverk, men genom att såväl studera strategiska nätverk som deltagande enskilda företags verksamhet, tillför avhandlingen en diskussion om hur samarbetet kan påverka de deltagande företagens strategier och utveckling. Avhandlingen visar att samarbete i strategiska nätverk, som egentligen är en relativt liten del av ett företags verksamhet, kan få en märkbar strategisk betydelse på exempelvis produktionsprocessen, marknadsföring och relationer med omgivningen. Några intressanta resultat är att det kan vara en markant skillnad på hur det enskilda företaget påverkas beroende på om strategiska nätverk har marknadsrelaterade mål eller kompetensrelaterade mål. Vidare kan samarbete i strategiska nätverk bidra till att företagsledare får mer självförtroende och inspiration som leder till att de vågar satsa och ta större utmaningar. Resultatet kan bland annat bli att företagets strategier genomförs och uppsatta mål kan nås.För strategiska nätverk tyder resultaten på att en drivande och engagerad ledare för samarbetet verkar kunna reducera betydelsen av en välstrukturerad organisation, det vill säga att en drivande ledare är mer betydelsefullt än formell organisation. Avhandlingen understryker dessutom betydelsen av en socialiseringsprocess i strategiska nätverk för att det ska bli framgångsrikt – det innebär att deltagarna lär känna varandra och respektive företag. Slutligen förefaller företagsrepresentanternas engagemang i samarbetet och inställning kunna överskugga betydelsen av andra faktorer.

[pt] A atuação em redes estratégicas é fator crítico para o sucesso das empresas frente à complexidade dos empreendimentos contemporâneos. Globalmente, os meios de pagamento estão em franca revolução. Contrariando expectativas, o papel-moeda convive com o dinheiro eletrônico ao alvorecer do terceiro milênio. Esta realidade, presente no mercado doméstico e internacional, demanda dinamismo na gestão da guarda, do processamento e da distribuição de valores. O ambiente competitivo em que os bancos de varejo estão inseridos recomenda gerenciamento eficaz de um sistema logístico em um novo ambiente de maiores exigências por automação, flexibilidade e segurança. A convergência dessas demandas associada à consciência de que a sobrevivência dos empreendimentos depende da capacidade de interações associativas sugerem a importância da integração em redes de alianças estratégicas. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir às investigações sobre a gestão das empresas em redes de relacionamento, focando na questão de suas implicações sobre sua conduta e seu desempenho. Tem como caso de estudo as Unidades Regionais de Tesouraria do Banco do Brasil, buscando responder a seguinte pergunta: quais as percepções dos gestores das Unidades Regionais de Tesouraria do Banco do Brasil a respeito dos impactos das diversas redes e alianças estabelecidas pelo Banco? Com auxílio de um novo ferramental para realizar análises estratégicas na perspectiva relacional - Modelo Macedo-Soares Strategic Network Analysis (2002) - este trabalho busca analisar as implicações estratégicas da associação em Redes e Alianças sobre os negócios e estratégias do Banco do Brasil, relativos à gestão da guarda, processamento e distribuição de valores. / [en] The performance in strategic networks is a critical factor for the company success, in the face of the current complex environment. Globally, the payment systems are in broad revolution. Against expectations, currency (bills and coins) lives together with the electronic money in the dawn of the third millennium. This reality, true in the domestic and international market, demands dynamism of the keeping, processing and distribution of values. The competitive environment in which retail banks are inserted recommends effective administration of a logistics system in a new context of larger demands for automation, flexibility and security. The convergence of those demands as well as the awareness that the survival of the enterprise depends on the capacity of collaborative interactions suggest the importance of firm integration in strategic networks. The objective of this thesis is to contribute to research in strategic management of firms embedded in organizational networks, highlighting the latter´s implications for firm conduct and performance. It is focused on the Banco do Brasil´s Regional Units of Treasury, in an attempt to answer the following question: what is management´s perception, regarding the strategic of Banco do Brasil´s established networks or alliances? By way of a new framework to help carry out strategic analyses from a relational perspective - Macedo- Soares` Model/ Strategic Network Analysis (2002) - this study aims at analyzing the strategic implications of those Units´ alliances and networks, relative to the keeping, processing and distribution of values.