Redes interorganizacionais: a realidade dos pequenos supermercadistas da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte

Abstract

In recent years the supermarket industry has become highly competitive, which encouraged small markets retailers to seek for new strategies, such as organizing through networks in order to achieve business sustainability. In this context, this research aimed to investigate how the small grocery stores in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte are organized in networks. This study is methodologically classified as an exploratory research, with documentary analysis of papers from the Association of Minas Gerais Supermarkets (AMGS) and data collected also from interviews with managers from seven organized retailers markets in the metropolitan region. The results indicate that all networks are horizontal, sectored, and most like formalized, in a total of 162 participants markets. The networks do not have activities together; however they are somehow associated, such as supporting structure for procurement and distribution of products. The network negotiate on behalf of the grocery stores and get discounts and extension of payment terms, also they are other benefits, such as training for employees and managers. In conclusion, those networks are in processing of professionalization, but with large differences between the questions surveyed, whether in the form of interaction with their members, either as trading or even the physical structure and management organization.