Transferência de práticas organizacionais em multinacionais: uma análise institucional

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to analyze the transfer process and institutionalization of organizational practices in relations between multinational (subsidiary) and its suppliers. The research is based on the institutional perspective, in which the multinational might be understood beyond its economic objectives it should be understood as a complex and multifaceted organization. In this perspective, the organizational practice is composed of a set of organizational routines that draw the way things should be done and reflect part of the knowledge and skills of the organization. The transfer of organizational practices will be analyzed considering two theoretical perspectives: backward linkage and institutional theory. In the backward linkage perspective, the transfer is analyzed with focus on the linkage motivations, determinants, their forms of practice transfer and the mechanisms of linkage deepening. In the institutional perspective, the transfer is related to the pactices technical and social elements. The social elements are related with the practices values and identities. This study considers that a successful transfer process is related to the practice institutionalization by the recipient unit. Thus, the analysis of the practice institutionalization is conceptualized at two stages: the implementation (degree to which suppliers reproduce the rules and routines of i practice) and internalization (state in which the employees of suppliers linked to the practice symbolic meanings). The degree of practice institutionalization is influenced by two key contexts (both considered in this study): the institutional context (regulatory, cognitive and normative factors) and relational context (degree of dependence, trust and identification). To achieve this purpose, this study considers a single case study with multiple units of analysis. The data collected in the field (interviews) were transcribed and the analysis consider the techniques of content analysis. The case refers to the LG Group (or Lucky Goldstar), founded in l947 by Koo InHwoi in Korea. ln 1995, LG installed in Manaus its first Brazilian subsidiary dedicated to the production of DVDs, VCRs and TVs. lts main national suppliers (companies with domestic capital) are from plastic injection and styrofoam sectors. As a result, this study points two main observations. It was observed that LG has structured organizational practices transfer processes. LG has forms and mechanisms to transfer its practice such as technical specifications, technical support, provision of tooling, training and consulting and technical visits - in the backward linkage perspective. The second observation referes to practices institutionalization by suppliers. Despite LG efforts to transfer its practices, suppliers show low degree of practice implementation and did not internalize their practices. This observations are related to: (i) lack of laws and regulations that stimulate transfer, (ii) incompatibilities of cognitive and normative profiles, (iii) low level of trust and identification established among companies and (iv) high dependence of LG towards their suppliers.