Abstract
Purpose – This paper analyzes how horizontal relationship resources collaborated in the value creation process of fruit producing and exporting companies geographically concentrated in the Sao Francisco River Valley (SFRV), Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – It is a qualitative case study, in which the units of analysis were the medium and large producing and exporting companies and the fruit cluster of the SFRV, understanding that both co-evolve. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with corporate, institutional and support industry companies; there was also an analysis of secondary data with public and private documents. Content analysis was performed with Atlas.ti software, which allowed a greater systematization of the findings. Findings – The results revealed particular patterns of collaboration that indicate conditions and contributions coming from the established links among firms within the cluster, and highlighting companies strategies to create value. Significant volumes of demand, especially those directed to the international market, bring companies closer in terms of production protocols and joint business practices. These aspects favor collaboration in an essentially competitive environment. Participation in a cluster environment enhances cooperation ties by providing access to knowledge spillovers and, consequently, improving individual and collective competitiveness. Originality/value – The study shows advances in the knowledge of the area by considering the microeconomic level of the firm in the cluster, also expands empirical evidence on organizational relationships by presenting a study of a Brazilian agricultural cluster.
Highlights
This study aims to analyze how horizontal relationship resources collaborated in the value creation process of fruit producing and exporting companies geographically concentrated in the São Francisco River Valley
To analyze how horizontal relationship resources collaborated in the value creation process of fruit producing and exporting companies geographically concentrated in the São Francisco River Valley
The flows of knowledge or resources between the companies were based on what is meant by relationship resources at the horizontal level, manifested by several paths between the companies of the San Francisco River Valley, including the constitution of the joint international marketing board, relationships established for purchasing from other producers, cooperation between companies for exchanging technical and market information, and the setting up of cooperatives, among others
Summary
The cluster as an option for a regional economic development strategy can be found in different types of industries, present in developed and developing countries, in small and large economies, in rural and urban areas, and at different geographic levels, such as nations, states, metropolitan regions, or even cities (Eisingerich, Bell, & Tracey, 2010; Porter, 2000).The terms used to analyze the advantages of a locality are diverse, such as industrial districts, industrial clusters, industrial agglomerations, local productive and innovative arrangements, localized production systems, technological districts, etc. (Giuliani & Bell, 2005; Lastres, Cassiolato, & Campos, 2006; Malmberg & Maskell, 2002; Porter, 1998). It is important to recognize that such agglomerations have been popularized in the specific literature as clusters, highlighting their importance in the national and international context for job generation, economic growth, technological development, and export potential (Suzigan, Garcia, & Furtado, 2005). The concept of cluster established by Michael Porter was used as a reference. This author introduced it to Strategic Management (Lazzeretti, Sedita, & Caloffi, 2013) and has been a reference for public policy academics and developers (Martin & Sunley, 2003; McCann & Folta, 2008). A cluster is understood as a group that is geographically close to interconnected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, bound by common and complementary interests (Porter, 2000)
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