Systemic Competitiveness of the Micro, Small e Middle-sized Companies of the Production Chain of Automotive Parts in the Northeastern Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and Regional Development

Abstract

This article evaluates the systemic competitiveness of the micro, small and middle-sized (metal-mechanic, electro-electronic and polymer-producing) companies of the production chain of automotive parts of the Northeast region in the state of the Rio Grande do Sul, identifying the potentialities, bottlenecks and the main managerial and technological problems of this production arrangement as well as its strategic importance for the creation of jobs, income and regional development. It also assesses the following dimensions: a) competitiveness at the company level, trying to identify their degree of flexibility, the agility of their functions in the production chain, their quality and productivity; b) the interconnectedness of the industry, trying to understand the level of cooperation between them, which enhances their competitiveness by creating synergy in the industry; c) the interconnectedness between the companies and local support institutions and organizations, such as universities, technical schools, research centers, banks, trade unions and government agencies, among others, and d) the joint action of the state, business community and other actors designed to improve the region’s institutional fabric. The increase in the industry’s competitiveness entails not only a better economic performance of the companies through higher productivity and effectiveness, but also an improvement of the region’s quality of life. In this sense, the article’s concern goes beyond the economic analysis and includes the industry’s ability to generate and maintain “social capital”.

Key words: Competitiveness, Micro, small and middle-sized companies, Regional development, Business administration