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Abstract(s)
O presente estudo tem como principal objectivo a identificação das principais barreiras que se colocam às pequenas e médias empresas (PME) no processo de cooperação. Mais precisamente, esta investigação foi norteada pelas seguintes questões: (1) Qual o significado atribuído pelas PME ao termo “Cooperação Empresarial”? e (2) Quais as barreiras sentidas pelas PME na adopção da cooperação?
Para tentar dar resposta a este objectivo e questões de investigação, realizaram-se estudo de caso múltiplo, ou seja, uma estratégia particular dentro da abordagem de investigação qualitativa. Os casos seleccionados referem-se a seis PME localizadas no distrito de Castelo Branco, região da Beira Interior. Como instrumentos de recolha de dados adoptou-se, fundamentalmente, entrevistas semi-estruturadas aos sócios gerentes das PME seleccionadas e, como técnica de tratamento de dados, a análise de conteúdo.
Com base nos resultados obtidos neste estudo, concluiu-se que as PME estudadas têm, no geral, conhecimento da estratégia da cooperação empresarial e do seu significado. Estas pequenas empresas reconhecem alguns benefícios que podem ser alcançados com este instrumento empresarial, todavia, concluiu-se também que a concretização de acordos de colaboração acarreta algumas dificuldades. As barreiras que apresentam maior índice de importância na cooperação empresarial, para as PME seleccionadas, são as diferenças culturais, a desconfiança entre parceiros, a escolha inadequada das partes e o receio dos parceiros se converterem em concorrentes directos. Aliás, esta última barreira foi a mais mencionada pelos empresários entrevistados. Este aspecto reflecte, por um lado, que as PME têm receio de acabar por ser absorvidas pelas grandes empresas e, por outro, esta barreira demonstra o espírito individualista e a desconfiança por parte dos empresários desta região em relação ao fenómeno da cooperação.
Com base nestas evidências empíricas, nesta investigação são ainda sugeridas algumas directrizes e orientações a ter em linha de conta para a minimização dos obstáculos/barreiras que se colocam às PME na adopção e implementação da cooperação empresarial.
The main objective of this study is to identify the main barriers faced by small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the cooperation process. More precisely, this investigation was guided by the following questions: (1) What meaning do SMEs attribute to the term “Business Cooperation”? and (2) What barriers to the adoption of cooperation are felt by SMEs? To attempt to respond to this objective and research questions, a multiple case study was carried out, i.e., a particular strategy within the qualitative research approach. The selected cases were six SMEs situated in the district of Castelo Branco, in the region of Beira Interior. The data gathering instrument was fundamentally semi-structured interviews with the managing partners of the selected SMEs, and the data treatment technique was content analysis. Based on the results obtained in this study, the conclusion is that in general the SMEs studied are aware of the strategy of business cooperation and its meaning. These small firms recognize some benefits that can be reached with this entrepreneurial instrument, but it is also concluded that forming collaboration agreements does cause some difficulties. The barriers to business cooperation rated as most important by the selected SMEs are cultural differences, distrust among partners, inadequate choice of partners and the fear of partners becoming direct competitors. In fact, this last barrier was the one most mentioned by the entrepreneurs interviewed. This aspect reflects firstly that SMEs are worried about being taken over by large firms, and secondly, this barrier demonstrates the individualistic spirit and mistrust of owner-manager in this region in relation to the phenomenon of cooperation. Based on these empirical evidences, this investigation also suggests some guidelines and orientations to bear in mind to minimize the obstacles/barriers facing SMEs in adoption and implementation of business cooperation.
The main objective of this study is to identify the main barriers faced by small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the cooperation process. More precisely, this investigation was guided by the following questions: (1) What meaning do SMEs attribute to the term “Business Cooperation”? and (2) What barriers to the adoption of cooperation are felt by SMEs? To attempt to respond to this objective and research questions, a multiple case study was carried out, i.e., a particular strategy within the qualitative research approach. The selected cases were six SMEs situated in the district of Castelo Branco, in the region of Beira Interior. The data gathering instrument was fundamentally semi-structured interviews with the managing partners of the selected SMEs, and the data treatment technique was content analysis. Based on the results obtained in this study, the conclusion is that in general the SMEs studied are aware of the strategy of business cooperation and its meaning. These small firms recognize some benefits that can be reached with this entrepreneurial instrument, but it is also concluded that forming collaboration agreements does cause some difficulties. The barriers to business cooperation rated as most important by the selected SMEs are cultural differences, distrust among partners, inadequate choice of partners and the fear of partners becoming direct competitors. In fact, this last barrier was the one most mentioned by the entrepreneurs interviewed. This aspect reflects firstly that SMEs are worried about being taken over by large firms, and secondly, this barrier demonstrates the individualistic spirit and mistrust of owner-manager in this region in relation to the phenomenon of cooperation. Based on these empirical evidences, this investigation also suggests some guidelines and orientations to bear in mind to minimize the obstacles/barriers facing SMEs in adoption and implementation of business cooperation.
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Keywords
Cooperação empresarial Pequenas e Médias Empresas