A influência da participação ativa na vantagem competitiva de empresas em rede de produção agrícola local: uma análise do agroturismo da região serrana do Estado do Espírito Santo

Resumo (EN)

In order for companies to be inserted and maintained in the market in a competitive manner, constant adaptations are required in your business vision. The literature shows that the participation of a company in a business network can offer a competitive advantage for the companies involved. The present research aims to determine how the active participation of a company in a local agricultural production network influences its competitive advantage. Companies that actively participate in the network with companies outside the network were compared, even though in the same geographical location. Theoretical-empirical research was based on the concepts of interorganizational networks and competitive advantage, applying qualitative methodologies in a single case study. For the collection of data were used semistructured interviews, non-participant observation and several documents. The analysis followed the standard combination techniques and theoretical encoding for the training of categories and comparison between companies. Was observed that the companies that participate actively in the agricultural production network have competitive advantage when compared to those that do not actively participate in the network. The competitive advantage was observed by the companies sales performance and by the perception of the entrepreneurs of the businesses surveyed. This research contributes with the theories of networks and of business clusters, by the perspective of the relevance of the active participation of the companies in the network while influencer of their competitive advantage. Also, it helps in practice to guide rural property managers to better exploit the potential of the networks present in their regions.