Editorial

ID: 667

Authors: Rogério H. Quintella.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 1-4, April-June, 2008. 4 page(s).

Document type: Editorial (Portuguese)

A discriminant analysis of the relationship between strategic factors, industry and performance in Brazilian manufacturing industry companies

ID: 656

Authors: Carlos Alberto Gonçalves, Alexandre Teixeira Dias, Reynaldo Maia Muniz.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 287-311, April-June, 2008. 25 page(s).

Keyword: competition , discriminant analysis , environment , performance , strategic orientation

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This paper approaches the question: what are the factors that discriminate between positive and negative companies' performance, when in turbulent environment? Aimed in achieving this goal a study was conducted involving Brazilian companies in manufacturing industry that were active in the period comprised between 1996 to 2001, characterized by intense turbulence in national and worldwide macroeconomic scenes. A discriminant function was proposed to measure and analyze the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables, comprised by information about competitive environment, strategic orientation and economic context. As results variables risk exposition, long term debt and market share were identified as the factors that discriminate between positive and negative financial performance.

Effects of the diversification strategies on the performance of the Brazilian industrial companies: a study about companies listed in the São Paulo stock exchange in the period 1997-2001

ID: 657

Authors: Pablo Rogers, Wesley Mendes-da-Silva, Germano Mendes de Paula.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 313-338, April-June, 2008. 26 page(s).

Keyword: corporate strategies , diversification , financial performance

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

Several studies, in different countries, have been investigating the relationship between diversification of businesses and corporate performance. Basically, three models have been tested to describe that relationship: the linear model, the curvilinear model ('inverted U'), and the intermediate model. This paper focuses on theme, using the Brazilian industrial companies as the empirical evidence. The study scrutinizes the performance of enterprises that were listed in the São Paulo Stock Exchange in the period 1997-2001, via a panel analysis through the methods of Fixed Effects and Random Effects. The data didn't show enough adherence to accept that a positive relationship exists between diversification strategies and performance, neither lineally nor exponentially. The model that showed a better adjustment degree was the curvilinear model (through the quadratic and cubic functional forms) that can be interpreted as an evidence about the existence of points in which the marginal costs of diversification overcomes the marginal benefits and vice-versa. However, the relationship was shown indefinite; it was unable to conclude if the real shape is similar to an 'U' of an 'inverted U'. The main results obtained in the research support some empirical evidences found in other emerging countries.

Competencies, management of competencies and professions: perspectives of research

ID: 658

Authors: Kely César Martins de Paiva, Marlene Catarina de Oliveira Lopes Melo.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 339-368, April-June, 2008. 30 page(s).

Keyword: competency , management of competencies , professi , profession

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

The objectives of this assay had been to reflect on the concepts of professional competence, management of competences and profession, and to indicate possibilities of research. After the reflection, a re-conceptualization of professional competence and profession was done, considering aspects that imply in a complex diversity that is difficult to manage in multiple spheres and, inevitably, in a redesign of the professionalization processes of determined occupations. For research, it proposes an agenda that contemplates methodology (qualitative boardings to give depth to the understanding of the subjects and their relations, and quantitative boardings that aim the extension of conclusions and validation of models) and thematic aspects (a fan of options contemplating professions that are at differentiated moments in terms of the professionalization process, searching to understand particular and extensive aspects to others groups). The fulfilment of the related agenda aims at to collaborate in two ways: conceptual and academic, in the direction to exact and to expand the delimitation of the boarded constructs; and practical and professional, to give subsidies for an effective transit of the involved social actors in the professionalization processes that we have attended and witnessed.

Organizations, representations and syncretism: the experience of a family company facing changes and managerial successions

ID: 659

Authors: Claudiani Waiandt, Eduardo Davel.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 369-394, April-June, 2008. 26 page(s).

Keyword: family organizations , family representations , organization studies , representational syncretism , social representations

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

Family organizations are very often conceived and defined from criteria such as ownership, management and succession in relation to members of a same consanguine family. The goal of this research is to detect managers and employees different representations that emerge in time and space in organizational discourse from the notion of family representations. Thus, the study is based in empirical evidence issue from a longitudinal study of a case of a family-owned company. The research results suggest a process of representational multiplicity and syncretism that appears as the organization, its managers and employees are represented through time using a family vocabulary. Implications for organization studies and studies focused on family organizations topic are proposed, as well as directions for future research.

An exploratory study about a new kind of enterprise: the academic spin-offs

ID: 660

Authors: Lucelia Borges da Costa, Ana Lúcia Vitale Torkomian.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 395-427, April-June, 2008. 33 page(s).

Keyword: academic spin-offs , transfer of technology , university-company cooperation

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This paper aims to present the profile of Brazil's academic spin-offs. The methodology used was the exploratory research and the data was collected through questionnaires sent to 33 academic spin-offs from 9 universities. Although there is a constraint due to the number of analysed companies, the proposed aim was successfully achieved . The results obtained present the spin-offs' characteristics, motivations and difficulties.

Factor from technology readiness index (TRI) as antecedents of technology acceptance model (TAM)

ID: 661

Authors: Péricles José Pires, Bento Alves da Costa Filho.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 429-456, April-June, 2008. 28 page(s).

Keyword: intentions of use , internet banking users , Technology Acceptance Model [TAM] , Technology Readiness Index [TRI]

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This paper aims at studying models developed to assess critical aspects related to the use and familiarity of consumers with technological based products and services. As a theoretical frame two reputable models were approached, the Technology Acceptance Model [TAM], and the Technology Readiness Index [TRI]. The hypothesized model tested whether the four dimensions components of TRI could be used (1) to explain differences between users and non users of web banking and (2) as antecedents of the main construct of the technology acceptance model, intention of use, in addition to the classical perceived utility and perceived ease-of-use. To achieve the objetives, a field research was conducted with users and non users of Internet banking, and the analysis showed that for purpose (1), three out of the four dimensions, - optimism, insecurity and discomfort, - were statistically different, and for purpose (2), optimism, a positive view of technology, was a significant antecedent of intention of use.

Trade-offs in customized services and the customer point of view

ID: 662

Authors: Rafael Teixeira, Ely Laureano Paiva.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 457-480, April-June, 2008. 24 page(s).

Keyword: competitive criteria , customization , trade-offs

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

Trade-offs in operations strategy can be defined as the performance incompatibility between two or more different competitive criteria. Customized services imply slower delivery time and high production costs than in standardized services. Considering that customer's preferences will affect the strategic decisions about competitive criteria and trade-offs, this research aimed to evaluate customization, delivery speed and low price attributes from the customer's perspective, analyzing the trade-offs among them. The literature has put little emphasis on the influence of the customers over trade-offs. In order to assess the importance of each service's attribute, a survey was applied to 243 customers a data communication customized service provided by a tellecommunication company. The results indicated that trade-offs analyzed do not present the relations expected, especially between customization and delivery speed. On the other hand, the results suggest that the trade-off between customization and costs is relevant for the service analyzed.

Overbooking, yield management and demand forecast: an empirical study of the arrivals in airline reservation systems

ID: 663

Authors: Alessandro Vinícius Marques de Oliveira, Renée Baptista Ferraz.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 481-506, April-June, 2008. 26 page(s).

Keyword: air transportation , overbooking , time series , yield management

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

The practice of overbooking in air transportation is a result of a broader market strategy, known as Yield Management (Revenue Management), which aims at optimizing the total revenues of airlines. Given this complex environment for decision making, one has that the investment in improving demand forecast capabilities, and more specifically, in understanding the process of arrival of requests in Reservation Systems, is potentially competitive advantage enhancing and ultimately improves market performance. The present paper aims at developing an empirical model of the arrivals of requests in airlines' (and, more generally, service firms') Reservation Systems. By making use of a database consisting of actual information collected from an airline operating the Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo shuttle route, here we make use of parametric estimation of a model of reservation arrivals. The time series modeling implemented here can be regarded as within a theoretical framework for demand forecast. Main results are indicative of an autoregressive process of arrivals in which lagged variables along with differences have high predictive power of current arrival levels. This paper is therefore able to fill a gap found in the literature regarding forecast methods applied to corporate Reservation Systems.

The prisoner's dilemma and the inefficiency of the real options method

ID: 664

Authors: André Barreira da Silva Rocha.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 507-531, April-June, 2008. 25 page(s).

Keyword: duopoly , games , real options , strategy , valuation

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

In the financial field, there is a widely spread out idea that the use of the real options method in the valuation of a project or management of a business results in larger values than those obtained by orthodox techniques (Net Present Value). The purpose of this paper is to demystify such concept, demonstrating that when the effect of competition is correctly taken into account, the use of orthodox techniques of valuation or management can lead the companies' managers to take strategic decisions capable to generate larger profits than those that would be generated through the use of real options. This is demonstrated through the modeling of a duopolistic market subjected to uncertainties, being calculated and compared the expected profit for one of the companies according to three concepts of management: orthodox method; exclusive real options and common real options. The results of the model show that depending on the type of available real option, a situation of prisoner's dilemma can occur, in this case the management through real options being inefficient when compared with the orthodox method.

Patterns of productivity of Brazilian authors in accounting magazines and congress: a study bibliometric

ID: 665

Authors: Geraldo Alemandro Leite Filho.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 533-554, April-June, 2008. 22 page(s).

Keyword: Accounting , Bibliometrics , research , scientific productivity

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the author's scientific productivity in Accounting Brazilian proceedings and magazines. It was show bibliometrics studies in other areas. The method was the descriptive research, quantitative analysis of data, universe and sample were the Accounting Brazilian magazines and scientific Congress. The results evidenced a standardization of publication, a male predominance of authors, indications of strong emphasis of national institutions, existence of authorship concentration linked to few institutions that presented the highest relative frequencies in the publication vehicles studied.

Beleza natural: growing in the bottom of the pyramid

ID: 666

Authors: Maribel Carvalho Suarez, Letícia Moreira Casotti, Victor Manoel Cunha de Almeida.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 555-574, April-June, 2008. 20 page(s).

Keyword: Beleza Natural , franchising , marketing channels , retail expansion , teaching case

Document type: Teaching Case (Portuguese) Show Abstract

Beleza Natural is a chain of beauty salons with six branches located in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo States. The company, which has been operating for 14 years, specializes in the treatment of curly hair and provides services for close to 30,000 clients every month. Increasing demand has stimulated the growth of the enterprise, however the company’s partners question the business model to be followed in the coming years: to let the company grow organically or to allow franchising.

Resenha: - Sustentabilidade: caminho ou utopia? - (Cintia Maria Afonso - 2006)

ID: 668

Authors: Tânia Margarete Mezzomo Keinert.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 575-577, April-June, 2008. 3 page(s).

Document type: Book Review (Portuguese)

Resenha: - Projetos culturais: técnicas de modelagem - (Hermano Roberto Thiry Cherques - 2006)

ID: 669

Authors: Luiz Alex Silva Saraiva.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 579-581, April-June, 2008. 3 page(s).

Document type: Book Review (Portuguese)

Práticas de recursos humanos: conceitos, ferramentas e procedimentos

ID: 987

Authors: Magnus Luiz Emmendoerfer.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 583-583, April-June, 2008. 1 page(s).

Document type: Bibliographical Note (Portuguese)

International accounting and multinational enterprises

ID: 985

Authors: Carlos André de Melo Alves.

Source: Revista de Administração Contemporânea, v. 12, n. 2, p. 583-583, April-June, 2008. 1 page(s).

Document type: Bibliographical Note (Portuguese)