Cooperation network: The case of Rede Imobiliárias from Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents a study on business networks that consists of mall and medium enterprises (SMEs), which sought to demonstrate how networks are formed and how they work. In addition, the study demonstrates the various settings made by these organizations, the benefits that SMEs can achieve when they act jointly and the interaction environments within networks. Besides, it tries to understand the relationship of exchanging information and experiences (knowledge and learning) among agents. To better highlight the theoretical evidence on the issues discussed, there was an empirical research, from the case study on Rede Imobiliárias of Santa Maria. It is noteworthy that the research was conducted through interviews with business leaders within the Network and its President. It is observed that the cooperation networks provide an environment for interaction and collaboration between SMEs which enables the achievement of benefits that the companies individually would not conquer. Still, in this sense, the networks stimulate the exchange of information and experiences among participants, facilitating the creation, transmission and conversion of knowledge. In summary, the survey has shown that companies in Rede Imobiliárias of Santa Maria have gain advantages in participating in the network, since they have won a greater recognition of the local market, and have acquired positive results with respect to the turnover realized after joining the network, and improved management and sales techniques.
Key words: cooperation networks, knowledge and learning, small and medium enterprises.