RCAAP Repository

ABSTRACT Purpose: Research about how creative economy grew considerably in last years, mainly by the increase of representation that this sector has in the global economy. It is believed that creative economy's organizations have some characteristics that differentiate them for the traditional areas where creativity is relevant in the innovation process. Thus, this paper aims to analyse the process of innovation in the creative economy organizations. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Due to still early literature in the Brazilian context, we expect to contribute to it in the business studies field. Key methodological aspects: We conducted an exploratory qualitative research study on four micro enterprises that are part of the creative industries. The theoretical approach was about innovation in creative organizations, so as it was possible to realize an analysis of innovation in the investigated business from three categories identified in the literature: organization, technology options and customers. Summary of key results: It was found that these organizations have some characteristics that differ from traditional sectors of the economy, both in the type of innovation and in the way the innovation process is managed. However, it is questionable whether the flexibility that both aids in the flow of ideas and information would be a reality in larger companies. Key considerations/conclusions: As contributions, this article raised a reflection on creativity and innovation in this segment and also on innovation in creative microenterprises.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The study aimed to verify whether there is a difference of entrepreneurial potential between successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who have failed; and whether there are variables that may work as a means of prediction to the success or failure of an entrepreneur. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: It brings up an innovative approach to the entrepreneurship researches, which main content is in the empirical operationalization of success and failure on business for the testing of specific hypothesis and the identification of the antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurial potential. Key methodological aspects: The research was conducted on a descriptive and quantitative approach. We applied the scale of entrepreneurial potential in 246 entrepreneurs, which 100 correspond to the analysis criteria, operationally, as successful entrepreneurs (n = 50) and entrepreneurs who failed (n = 50). Data were analysed by statistics techniques of logistic regression and Student's t test. Summary of key results: Results show that the successful entrepreneur has higher scores in entrepreneur potential scale than the entrepreneur who failed, in which the main convergence between entrepreneurial potential and business success is the setting business goals. In the investigated sample, the gender showed being a strong predictor of business success, indicating that men have 2.8 times greater chance of success in business than women. Key considerations/conclusions: In our opinion, the results found shed light on crucial elements to the explanation of business success and corroborate recent results brought by research on entrepreneurship and gender.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Against the backdrop of clear paradoxes and confusion in prevailing innovation policies, the contours of a new innovation paradigm, as elaborated in this paper, are becoming visible and causing social innovation to grow in importance. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: However, innovation research is still lacking sustained and systematic analysis of social innovation, its theories, characteristics, and impacts. The purpose of this paper is to focus on a theoretically sound concept of social innovation as a precondition for an integrated theory of socio-technological innovation in which social innovation is more than an appendage of technological innovation. Key methodological aspects: The paper presents first empirical results of the global research project "SI-DRIVE: Social Innovation - Driving Force of Social Change" and introduces key findings of a global mapping of social innovation initiatives. This quantitative mapping is based upon 1.005 social innovation initiatives. Summary of key results: The mapping underlines the broad range of actors involved in the mapped initiatives and thereby confirms the need for a cross-sectoral concept of social innovation. It reveals a high diversity of social needs and societal challenges addressed by the initiatives as well as a high dependency on networks. The results also show that 90% of the initiatives are scaling. Key considerations/conclusions: Finally, on the basis of these empirical results, a recourse to Gabriel Tarde's social theory allows us to widen a perspective which was narrowed to economic and technological innovations by Schumpeter and after him by the sociology of technology, and to include social innovations in all their diversity.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to clarify the multiple different approaches of social innovation, focusing on francophone literature. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: We propose an in-depth literature review that questions the meaning of the adjective "social" when used by authors to qualify an innovation, that highlights the different approaches of the concept, their relations to each other and their limits, and that illustrates these approaches with concrete examples. Finally, we build on these materials to propose a new innovation typology that wholly integrates social innovation. Key methodological aspects: The literature review is based on a selection of 25 papers in French - the mother language of the author - which were collected and analyzed using the "theoretical saturation point" method: we stopped the review when we felt there was no new crucial element in the next articles read, that is, when it seemed that a "saturation point" of information had been reached about theories on social innovation. Summary of key results: The definition of social innovation as new answers provided to unsatisfied or badly-satisfied social demands seems to prevail in the literature. It can be divided into three sub-approaches: the public policies, the social entrepreneurship, and the participatory dynamics, which strikes us as the most interesting, without excluding the others. Key considerations/conclusions: We propose a new innovation typology, which presents social innovation's relations to other types of innovation. We conclude with some considerations about social innovation context of emergence, and about its ambiguous position in the neoliberal system.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The objective of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework to explore social innovation as a response to institutional voids in a multidimensional analysis. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Approaching the social innovation of the theoretical lens of institutional theory, in the institutional voids perspective. One of the gaps is to propose a multidimensional perspective that will occur through the examination of multiple actors in different institutional settings. Key methodological aspects: To support the framework, six theoretical proposals were developed from theoretical gaps identified in a systematic literature review, started in Web of Knowledge database. Summary of key results: Results indicate dimensions that can be investigated in social innovation initiatives that fill institutional voids. The following dimensions were found: dimensions of institutional contexts (considering different contexts and the interference of political, financial, education/work and cultural systems); dimension of multiple actors (giving voice to different actors who have complementary objectives); dimension of the institutional pillars (cognitive, normative and regulative) and dimensions of social innovation (modify/transform a social need; innovative solution, implementation of social innovation, involve actors and stakeholders and effective results). Key considerations/conclusions: This framework can be further tested in comparative studies among countries with distinguished levels of development. We identified the importance to analyze different social contexts and the diverse actors who are involved in social innovation initiatives. We identify new areas that are influencing social innovation and we propose new possibilities to investigate this field.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To propose a framework that involves the analysis of the dimensions of social innovation and the roles played by the organizational actor. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The challenge here was to outline a framework within the Brazilian context, contributing as an instrument to the decision making of the organizational actor, serving as guidance to better comprehend social innovation initiatives that they promote, as well as characterizing the roles that they should play in order to better promote and advertise the implemented social initiatives. Key methodological aspects: The study was of qualitative nature, and the case was a network created by organizations of the civil society that manage social innovation (Articulação do Semiárido Brasileiro - ASA). The NGOs linked to ASA, which works within the Brazilian states of Paraíba, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Norte, were the analysis units of the case surveyed. The Analysis of Contents was adopted for data handling, supported by the software Altas.Ti. Summary of key results: The organizational actor has a leading role among social innovation initiatives, as a legitimate representative of society's interests in articulating bottom-up initiatives (actors); in identifying non-satisfied social needs (social needs); as a manager of social relationships, especially when it comes to governance and participation (process); pointer of innovative capacity of the ideas implemented (innovativeness and promoter of the social benefits provided in the community (social improvements and answers). Key considerations/conclusions: Based on the roles identified, it is possible to map out the actions of the organizational actors, helping them in their tasks of planning, implementing and disseminating social initiatives, which results in a model that is both operational and analytical.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This paper aims to analyze how features raised in the case studies in the field of social innovation, from the meta-synthesis methodology proposed by Hoon (2013), indicate factors that promote social innovation scalability Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The number of publications on SI, despite an increase perceived, is still limited. Consequently, researches dedicated to understand the scalability of the process of SI are still scarce, thus constituting a gap research. Key methodological aspects: To achieve the objective of this research, we followed the eight meta-synthesis steps proposed by Hoon (2013) which is an exploratory-inductive research design for synthesis of primary data collected through case studies whose primary purpose is to build theory. It was analyzed 66 articles identified in the Web of Science database, nine of them were selected to join this meta-synthesis. Summary of key results: The findings of this research can be summarized in the concept proposed "environment favourable to the scalability of a SI" with features of the internal environment, divided between aspects of the entrepreneur and the organization, and settings of the external environment, mediated (or not) by a bridge organization. Key considerations/conclusions: The findings of this study advance the SI literature in two main points: Concept proposition of "environment conducive to the scalability of a SI" and to draw attention to the field of study on the promoting factors of continuity and growth of a SI. As for the practical contributions, the results of the research can help social innovations managers in the expansion phase of its operations, suggesting some elements to consider.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore innovative enabler mechanisms for women's empowerment in a social enterprise and how they promote local development in a Zapotec indigenous community, the third largest ethnic group in Mexico. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper contributes to the extension of social entrepreneurship literature from a gender perspective, exploring the mechanisms that allow women to succeed in highly marginalized indigenous communities. Key methodological aspects: This paper follows a case study methodology, inductive approach and qualitative methods mainly through 70 in-depth interviews. Summary of key results: Although the male-dominated culture slows down the democratic and political empowerment of women in the community, mechanisms such as job stability, low-interest microcredits and gender-equality policies in the organization have triggered economic empowerment. Key considerations/conclusions: The creation of empowering mechanisms within the social enterprise has allowed the Zapotec community to prosper and increase its general wellbeing. Women have been particularly benefited since the organization has given them the opportunity to work, empowering them to create micro-enterprises and changing the prevailing culture towards a more equalitarian society. Increasing control of their source of income has improved women's willingness to participate in political and managerial decision-making, inspiring more women in the community to work at the organization.

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore and understand the Family Agro-Industry Clusters from the social innovation perspective. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Social innovation allows us to understand how global issues can be resolved based on local elements. The originality of this study is in the analysis of the cluster as a social innovation, highlighting its formation impacts decisively in the economic and social development of the region in which they operate. Main methodological aspects: This study had emphasis on semi-structured interviews with governance members from the investigated cluster, as well as on the analysis of the governance meeting minutes since the emergence of the clusters. The analysis of the collected content was performed with NVivo 11 software. Summary of key findings: Social innovation was analyzed based on the viewpoint of the process, network formation, planning, governance, and results. These categories from the theoretical framework enabled the Family Agro-Industry cluster from social innovation to be explained. Key considerations/conclusions: Results indicate that the clusters of Family Agro-Industry analyzed can be considered a social innovation because they have the necessary elements for its characterization, emphasizing the governance as a central construct and culture of coalition with actors from the public, private and third sectors in finding solutions for social needs.

ABSTRACT Purpose: On the assumption that leadership is a social construction driven by interests, this article presents the results of an empirical research designed with the purpose of investigating the concept of leadership. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The originality is the use of empirical procedures inspired by the work of an author often quoted in studies of theoretical and essayistic nature, but whose work in empirical research is little known among us. Key methodological aspects: The methodological procedures were chosen inspired by those used by T. W. Adorno in F scale production, which was oriented to identify contradictions, opposing views and unusual aspects not usually found in general literature on this subject. Summary of key results: It was identified that the exercise of leadership is motivated by interests - not those of one class against another, but those within the same social class - which are presented from different points of view, depending on whether the individual is or is not playing this role; there is a tendency to hide the relationship between the leadership and the exercise of power, and also that leaders that were in activity tend to hide the interests related to the exercise of this social role (such as the financial ones), as well as trying to characterize leadership as something extraordinary - characterization not recognized by many of the individuals who were no longer playing that role; and finally, that interests may be also related to the opportunity to offer training programs for the development of "leadership skills". Key considerations/conclusions: The results allow a deconstruction of some of the speeches involving aspects usually presented as characterizing this construct and suggests new research ways to seek the understanding of this object.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This article aims to evaluate the use of comics as an active teaching strategy in learning of students in a management undergraduate program. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The proposal presented in this article brings a theoretical-practical contribution to education in management, since it describes the steps for the use of a strategy involving use of comics as a teaching tool by the professor in the classroom, and also promotes the researcher's reflections on innovative teaching strategies for education in management in Brazil. Key methodological aspects: The study is qualitative and the research method adopted followed the assumptions and steps of the action research of Cousin (2009): recognition, planning, action, observation and reflection. Cousin's description was adapted to the context of teaching. Summary of key results: The results obtained indicate that using presentation of comics as a teaching strategy can enhance competence development, assist in the development of innovation and flexibility, and also contribute to reducing the gap between theory and practice. In addition, it can help students develop a critical sense, help to establish relationships between events and managerial situations, and encourage the exchange of experiences, assisting in decision-making and allowing students to represent a professional situation based on theoretical precepts. Finally, it contributes to the development of reflective practice in the learning environment and, in particular, promotes the development of creativity, something that was observed throughout the implementation of the strategy. Key considerations/conclusions: It is expected that the study will contribute to the dissemination of the strategy in other programs and institutions and encourage teachers to use comics in the learning processes of their students.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Describe the informal learning strategies used by the IT and Communication professionals (TIC) of the Superior Military Court (STM), discussing their importance for professional development and labor skills related to the maximization of the results of human performance. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The research proved the differences in the use of the learning strategies among the TIC professionals and made it possible to capture the meaning of informal learning by professionals. Key methodology aspects: The mixed methodology was applied and a questionnaire was created based on the studies of Camillis and Antonello (2010), Antonello (2011b), Pantoja and Borges-Andrade (2009), Lohman (2009), Berg and Chyung (2008) and Cunningham and Hillier (2013). Descriptive statistical analyses for quantitative data and thematic and categorical analyses were made for the content of the open answers. Summary of key results: Five categories of informal learning were identified: interpersonal relationships; work practices; sharing knowledge; unsystematic training and autonomous. Informal learning depends on: 1. interpersonal relationships, 2. plan for work practices, 3. sharing the knowledge, and 4. autodidactism. Some factors were considered facilitators and/or inhibitors and favorable and/or unfavorable to informal learning. Key considerations/conclusion: The professionals describe informal learning as something difficult to prove and that the same thing happens through practice and the exercise of their skills. For future research, it was suggested the following: 1. analyze the influence of environment variables when employing the use of informal strategies of learning; 2. relate the learning of TIC professionals to the initiatives of knowledge management in the Organization; and 3. observe the role of leadership in the process of informal learning among professionals.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Analyze the makeup of contemporary femininities through in-depth research into how a group of assiduous readers of high fashion blogs produces meanings about themselves and the social relationships in which they are involved. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The study advances in the understanding of how social relationships are complex complexions and blogs, tools of virtual publication of the content of daily activities of their idealizers, in new spaces influencing the construction of the subjectivity of individuals or even understanding them as contemporary forms of organization. Key methodological aspects: Qualitative study with data collected from virtual observation techniques and semi-structured interviews. Summary of key results: The high-fashion blog as a business organization with a profile of readers presenting common interests and characteristics, in addition to the emergence of femininity as a multifaceted complex of characteristics both near as distant from the old public roles played by women. Key considerations/conclusions: The conception of the blog conjectures as a digital locus where social interactions and market relations are possible. The study also allowed bringing the debate of postmodern feminist approaches to the field of organizational studies, reaffirming the intermittent character of the subjective constitution of the feminine gender in the contemporary emancipatory perspective.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore financial alternatives to implement PV power generation projects based on the provisions of Normative Resolution n. 482/2012 of the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (Aneel). This regulation sets forth the general conditions to the access of micro- and minigeneration granted to the electric energy distribution systems through the energy product offset method. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper discusses the need for regulatory changes, greater government participation in the granting of financial and tax incentives so that PV solar power technology in distributed generation can be financially viable for residential consumers. Key methodological aspects: Investment analysis in PV systems used the Net Present Value (NPV) valuation method. The research assessed two scenarios for Grid-Connected PV Systems (GCPVSs), with different solar power usage levels for a residential consumer. Summary of key results: The results point to a low financial viability in the implementation of distributed microgeneration projects, suggesting the need to remove the tax burden and reduce financing costs. Key considerations/conclusions: The study shows the need of flexibilization of the Brazilian regulatory model, with changes that enable the expansion of renewable energy offers, with positive economic outcomes for tariff affordability. Tariff benefits from distributed microgeneration can positively reflect on captive customers, provided that investment risks are reduced.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Identify the relationship between the granting of payroll loans and macroeconomic aggregates, from 2004 to 2014, through an analysis of the influence of this type of credit on the aggregate economic activity in Brazil. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Payroll loans are very representative in the Brazilian credit market, and the discussion on this topic is very extensive, because it is directly linked to the economic growth of a country. However, there is a gap in the literature on this subject, since most studies stress behavioral finances, or the legal aspects of contracts, and also because this type of credit is recent in the Brazilian economy. Key methodological aspects: This is quantitative approach performed through the estimation of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), which enabled the computation of impulse-response functions, the variance decomposition and the Granger causality test. Summary of key results: The results indicate that the granting of payroll loans causes an increase on macroeconomic aggregates in the short term, but over longer periods of time this increase tends to be eliminated. Key considerations/conclusions: The granting of payroll loans influences the behavior of the economic activity. However, despite the fact that its concession provides leverage in the short term, this growth is not sustainable in the long-term. In this scenario, there is exponential growth in household consumption over the past decade; however, the industry productivity and the investments did not follow this evolution. It is inferred from this that the current growth model generates expansion, but its effects are limited.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the capacity of family firms to absorb relevant information from their surrounding environments, and incorporate it in their innovative activities. The study also seeks to improve our understanding if, and in what ways, the generational diversity in firm's management is an important resource. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: In spite of the relevance of this matter, few scholars have explored the relationship between absorptive capacity (Acap) and family firms. On the other hand, the economic importance of these firms is reported, for example, in Leone (2005) and Machado, Grzybovski, Teixeira and Silva (2013), authors reporting that approximately 90% of Brazilian firms are controlled by families, being the fastest-growing business segment. Key methodological aspects: The sample consists of 241 family firms. The SmartPLS software is used for structural equation modeling. Summary of key results: The results show that Acap is an important predictor for the innovation performance of family firms. Contrary to expectation, the involvement of several generations in the management of the family firms is not a significant moderator between ACAP and innovation performance. Key considerations/conclusions: This study fills an important gap in the research on family firms, once, by taking into consideration the generational diversity in the management of these firms, its results deepen our understanding of the essential features of a family business, and analyze the innovation in an intergenerational perspective.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study describes the phenomenon of digital divide in small and medium enterprises in Brazil by means of an indicator of ICTs use in these organizations. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: There are several studies on the adoption of ICTs by organizations, however rare are those that explore the topic using the concept of digital divide. This study addresses the second order digital divide, related to the effective use of ICTs by companies. Key methodological aspects: The study was carried out based on a sample of 3,231 companies participating in the "TIC Empresas" survey of 2014 (published in 2015). By means of structural equations, an index was created to measure the intensity of the ICTs use in organizations and factors that affect it were verified through linear regressions. Summary of key results: The first result concerns the feasibility of an index that measures the ICTs use. Then, when analyzing its distribution, we can see the discrepancy of values between companies in relation to their size. The regression analysis indicates that the access to technology and the Internet, as well as ICTs skills and attitudes are factors correlated to a more intense use of ICTs by organizations. Key considerations/conclusions: Digital divide is a phenomenon related to high enterprise mortality rates and low productivity in small and medium-sized enterprises. This study outlines a possible way to study this phenomenon, integrating an adoption model (TOE) and a model of ICTs use in the context of second order digital divide.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This paper studies the influence of simulation dynamics in the learning of business games participants. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Although many studies suggest the influence of factors linked simulation dynamics in the learning of participants of business games, it is unusual to investigate partial and simultaneous influence. Within lots of studies, the purpose is to evaluate the influence of one antecedent factor on learning of participants in business games. To explore possible inter-relationships between independent variables and effects of interaction expands the scope of analysis. Key methodological aspects: It was examined the statements of 90 undergraduate management students of four institutions of higher education in Brazil, by analysis through multiple linear regression model in six variables linked simulation dynamics (professor, manual, team, complexity, debriefing and duration). Summary of key results: Two variables composed the multiple linear regression model (debriefing and duration). These variables obtained a degree of association of 59% with the quantum of learning perceived by the participants of business games and explained 32% of its variation. Key considerations/conclusions: The findings of this study may contribute to elaborate lesson plans with business games describing the influence of factors linked simulation dynamics, many of them under the professor control.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This article aims to reflect, from the perspective of critical post modernity, on a possible conceptual proposition about dignity in organizations. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: In the field of organizational studies, dignity in organizations has not been considered through the perception of a world of intense movement of capital, technology, goods, workers, and employees between organizations, as well as the migration between countries of citizens of different countries. It is argued, therefore, that the design of such phenomenon should examine in depth the respect for different knowledges, besides the idea of interculturalism. Key methodological aspects: As there are few papers written about this theme, our paper is a theoretical essay. Summary of key results: Taking the concept of dignity as a starting point, we tried first to outline a conceptual approach aimed at transposing its sociopolitical perspective, and then to propose a perspective on dignity in organizations that transcends modernity. Ideas on the ecology of knowledges, relationships of shared authority, and respect for the principles of equality and difference, beyond reciprocal recognition and the availability for mutual enrichment, were the qualifying elements in defining our conceptual propositions. Key considerations/conclusions: As a theoretical contribution, we sought to introduce a new perspective on the dignity phenomenon; thus, we tried to break through, in this field of studies, with a view that understands dignity and emancipation as a single concept, in which the new element would be interculturalism.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The goal of this research is to analyze how team performance is influenced by leadership styles in the public sector, confronting the perspectives of the leaders with the perception of their teams. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The main contribution of this study is to compare the perspectives of leaders and followers in the same context. Furthermore, this research investigates the relationship between team performance and style of leadership in the public sector. This research offers empirical data that can support the development of human resources policies and practices directed at improving leadership and reduce the gap between leaders and followers. Key methodological aspects: The survey method was used to collect data in the Executive Branch of State of Minas Gerais, which was answered by 315 individuals. We applied standardized questionnaires based on well tested instruments available in the literature. Summary of key results: The results indicate that leaders feel that team performance is directly influenced by transformational leadership, supporting the literature. For the followers, the level of team performance is directly influenced by the transactional characteristics of the leaders and not transformational characteristics. The results also suggest that the performance evaluation run by the government might be overvalued, since leaders and non-leader employees think that their own team performance is lower than the officially measured performance. Key considerations/conclusions: The idiosyncratic dynamics of people management of the Executive Branch of Minas Gerais reinforce behaviors that require leaders to use transactional leadership style. However, when managers achieve upper levels, the transformational style seems to be better suited to improve the other managers' performance.