Transferência de conhecimento na cadeia de suprimentos: um estudo em cadeias no Brasil e no Peru

The study of knowledge transfer in the inter-organizational relationships within a supply chain put its focus on information flows over the efficiency gains. Although the efficient transfer of knowledge is seen like core for the success of the firm, most authors don’t specify or test processes and mechanisms through which knowledge transfer takes place between organizations from a supply chain. Therefore, to understand the knowledge transfer within the chain, was defined the follow objective: to identify forms of knowledge transfer between participating companies from a supply chain and the factors that influence this process. By this way, were studied firms within a supply chain from the textile sector, one in Peru, the alpaca fiber textile chain and another in Brazil, a chain of mixed fibers (cotton and synthetic). On the theoretical basis, the main topics discussed are: a) forms of knowledge transfer on the basis of Argote et. al. (2000) grouping: movement of personnel, training, communication, observation, technology transfer, reverse engineering, routines and replication of best practices, interactions in inter-organizational networks b) Factors influencing transfer, based on Szulanski’s (1996) grouping: features of knowledge, source, recipient and context. After literature review; a field work was enhanced using the methodology of indepth interviews and using semi-structured questionnaires in firms from different links of the supply chain. Obtain the following results. In the case of the Peruvian textile chain of alpaca fiber, was verified that this chain is offering a unique and sparse good. It is well-structured, with supplier relationships as well established. Most companies in the chain belongs to the same group and was founded that the governance of the supply chain is in the spinning company, which in turn coordinates the main knowledge flows. The main form of knowledge transfer that occurs in the chain is the transfer of best practices; due to the fact the industry has its main customers abroad. By this way local businesses needs to improve all its processes to satisfy them. Also founded that, willingness to share knowledge is positive and that the main limiting in some cases were cultural differences among some agents. In Brazil, the textile supply chain, mixed fibers, was observed that this supply chain is more dynamic, there is no exclusivity in the provision, and is strongly influenced by fashion. Its products are commodities, in which all firms have the knowledge and materials in order to clothing manufacture. It was not identified any firm that maintains the governance over the supply chain. The business environment is more competitive than Peru and the main forms of transfer observed were: reverse engineering, transfer of personal observation and communication within interorganizational relationships. Social relations are the most dynamic and influenced by fashion, the main limiting factor is the absence of a cross-organizational structure that fosters the transfer of knowledge and that in turn affect the development of trust.