ECR-ENTRE O CONCEITO E A PRÃTICA: UM ESTUDO MULTICASO NO CANAL DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE MERCEARIA BÃSICA

Although ECR has been one of most important subjects discussed by the grocery industry and a relevant topic mentioned by the academics, it is notable the difficulty to understand its implementation and operation. Based on these facts, this study aimed to discuss the concept of ECR by critically analyzing its implementation and bring some knowledge about this theme. The paper argues that while there is some evidence to suggest that ECR is an important tool, there is a need to more clearly explain how the ECR can really improve the operations between companies. The ECR literature is discussed, by following an empirical research conducted with industries, wholesalers and retailers of the grocery industry channel in Brazil. This research attempts to identify which strategies, processes and technologies of ECR have been applied by participating companies, the reasons for firms adopting the ECR, the difficulties confronted during the implementation process and how these firms felt about the diffusion of ECR strategies in Brazil. The study provides useful insights about the impact of the ECR initiative on firms that would like to maximize ECR implementation or begin the adoption of this practice.ECR, distribution channel, grocery industry., Agribusiness,

Distribuição de produtos provenientes da agricultura familiar: um estudo exploratório da produção de hortaliças

In the last few decades, the discussion about small holders agriculture has been emphasized due to debates on sustainable development, job and income increase, food security and local development. Due to the fact of small farmers group being heterogeneous, either from the economic, social or cultural point of view, this research is focused on small-holder vegetable producers located in the cities of São Carlos and Araraquara. The main objective is to understand the distributive arrangement used by the small-holder vegetable producers and their main problems. For the development of the research, a multi case study was used, based on primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained through a half-structuralized questionnaire applied to the producers and some specialists in the area. The interviews were applied in loco by researchers and the period data collection was between September and December 2002. Among the results, a reduction in the number of intermediary agents of the vegetal distribution could be identified. In some cases, the production of vegetables was distributed directly by the producers to final and enterprise consumers.small-holder production, marketing channels, vegetables.,

Private Label and Manufacturing Strategies: A Case Study of Brazilian Suppliers From the Food Industry

The private label strategy has been adopted by retailers who seek a competitive advantage through the commercialization of products sold under their brand names. This strategy has created a new demand for suppliers, who need to reevaluate their manufacturing structures in order to decide whether or not they should produce such goods. Aiming to analyze the manufacturing strategy adopted by suppliers of private labels, we conducted a qualitative research based on six case studies with private label manufacturers and classified them according to their reported competitive priorities. All the companies considered quality as their top priority, but diverged between flexibility, cost and service as their secondary and third priorities. We highlight the fact that private label strategies do not determine, but rather influence decisions on manufacturing strategy

Developing and Managing Cross-Functional Teams: A Multi-Case Study of Brazilian Manufacturing Companies

The growth of industries and the strong economic base in Brazil require improvements and adaptations in business processes. Cross-functional teams (CFT) may help to companies achieve these improvements. This research looks at characterizing CFT according to application processes, structures, objectives and impacts, considering the context of demand planning and related processes. In-depth interviews with 22 managers were performed in three Brazilian manufacturing companies. A framework to characterize CFT and respective impacts is proposed, including elements such as: procedures, context and goals, power distribution, impacts on cross-functional integration, impacts on teams' performance and on organization's performance. One significant managerial finding is that effective and efficient CFTs need balanced distribution of power among members by effectively establishing and structuring the team. By doing this, managers may observe positive impacts on inter-functional integration and in firm's results. Moreover, teams should permanently perform joint planning to predict unfavorable situations, improve communication and mutual understanding

PROPOSIÇÃO DE UM MÉTODO GERENCIAL PARA A ANÁLISE INTERNA DAS ORGANIZAÇÕES

En este artículo se propone una secuencia de etapas para facilitar la planificación estratégica de las organizaciones. Esa secuencia de etapas, cuya base teórica es la Resource-Advantage Theory, fue transformada en un método gerencial de análisis interno para las organizaciones. Así, el objetivo general de este estudio es presentar un método, a partir del concepto de “recursos”, para el análisis interno de empresas insertas en un contexto de competición de mercado. Fue realizada una investigación exploratoria y un abordaje cualitativo. A partir de la revisión teórica de la literatura pertinente al tema, se construyó un método preliminar de análisis interno, posteriormente validado y mejorado a través de las informaciones recolectadas en la investigación de campo. La investigación de campo se ha basado en entrevistas y observaciones en empresas de la industria de defensivos agrícolas en Brasil. La versión final del método de análisis interno es constituida de seis etapas. Como resultado, el estudio propone una forma de operar el concepto de recursos. Desde el punto de vista gerencial, el estudio contribuye proporcionando a los gerentes un método de análisis que soporta las decisiones referentes a la gestión de recursos de la organización.In this paper, we propose a sequence of steps to facilitate the strategic planning of organizations. This sequence of steps, whose theoretical basis is the Resource-Advantage Theory, was transformed into a management method of internal analysis for organizations. Thus, the purpose of this study is to present a method based on the concept of “resources”, for internal analysis of companies inserted in a context of market competition. An exploratory and qualitative approach research was conducted. From the theoretical review of the literature concerning the matter, we built up a primary method of internal analysis, subsequently validated and enhanced through the information collected in the field research. The field research was based on interviews and observations in the crop protection industry companies in Brazil. The final internal analysis method consists of six stages. As a result, the study proposes a way to operationalize the concept of resources. Under the managerial point of view, the study contributes by providing managers with a method of analysis that supports the decisions concerning the organization's resources management.Neste artigo é proposta uma sequência de etapas para facilitar o planejamento estratégico das organizações. Essa sequência de etapas, cuja base teórica é a Resource-Advantage Theory, foi transformada em um método gerencial de análise interna para as organizações. Assim, o objetivo geral deste estudo é apresentar um método, a partir do conceito de “recursos”, para a análise interna de empresas inseridas em um contexto de competição de mercado. Foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória e com abordagem qualitativa. A partir da revisão teórica da literatura pertinente ao tema, construiu-se um método preliminar de análise interna, posteriormente validado e aprimorado por meio das informações coletadas na pesquisa de campo. A pesquisa de campo foi baseada em entrevistas e observações em empresas da indústria de defensivos agrícolas no Brasil. A versão final do método de análise interna é constituída de seis etapas. Como resultado, o estudo propõe uma forma de operacionalização do conceito de recursos. Sob o ponto de vista gerencial, o estudo contribui fornecendo aos gerentes um método de análise que suporta as decisões referentes ao gerenciamento de recursos da organização

Key Organisational Factors to Building Supply Chain Resilience: a Multiple Case Study of Buyers and Suppliers

Achieving resiliency along the supply chain requires internal and external effort from all members of the chain. The purpose of this paper to identify key organisational factors to building resiliency in supply chain, and to understand how these factors can influence the development or enhancement of the supply chain resilience. To do so, a multiple case study was performed in different supply chains to validate organisational factors identified on the literature. As a result, ten organisational factors (five internal and four external) were highlighted and propositions were developed after the cross-case discussion to affirm the influence of them in building or enhancing supply chain resilience

Supplier Relationship Management: a review focused on Logistics and Production integration

Integrating information regarding planning, decisions and processes within a focal company and between companies is a primary challenge for many organizations. Both internal (among business functions) and external (between suppliers and customers) integration aim to maximize the value added to customers and to minimize the required efforts involved in integration. However, identifying which activities demand a higher level of integration among business functions and what the possible results are is not always easy to understand, both within the organization and among their relationships. The purpose of this paper is therefore to understand the integration between Logistics and Production in supplier relationship management (SRM) by performing a systematic literature review. A systematic literature review was conducted as a research method of this paper, followed by a critical analysis of the selected works in order to thoroughly identify how these functions participate in the main activities of the SRM process. As a result, it was realized that integrating Logistics and Production may contribute to supplier relationship management by sharing information on strategic supply specifications (time and sequence) and also by improving the flow of information/materials to meet quality, quantity, cost and time requirements for the customer

AÇÕES COLETIVAS ENVOLVENDO PEQUENOS PRODUTORES: DA EXCLUSÃO À INCLUSÃO NOS MERCADOS

De forma a oferecer produtos em conformidade com os novos padrões competitivos, os produtores rurais de pequeno porte tiveram que se adaptar às novas demandas de mercado como exigências relacionadas,principalmente, à qualidade, regularidade no fornecimento, escala mínima de fornecimento, preço e agilidade logística. No entanto, observa-se que essas mudanças refletiram fortemente sobre pequenos produtores rurais. Muitos se mostraram incapazes de atender às novas demandas do mercado devido às características intrínsecas à pequena unidade de produção. Essa situação aumentou o risco de ocorrência de processos de exclusão de pequenos produtores da atividade agrícola. Uma possibilidade que se apresenta é a adoção de ações coletivas, buscando possibilitar a inserção destes produtores no mercado e de escolha dos seus canais de distribuição.Nesse contexto, essa pesquisa teve como objetivo efetuar recomendações que permitissem a inserção de pequenos produtores em canais de distribuição. Para tal, com base em múltiplos estudos de caso, foram identificados pontos de alavancagem no processo de estabelecimento e manutenção de ações coletivas visando o acesso a mercados e possibilidade de escolha de escoamento da produção

Telepuebla and Ebarrios TV, two experiences of audiovisual communication

¿Enseñamos lo que sabemos, o lo que realmente necesitan nuestros alumnos? En la Sociedad de la Información, muchos maestros continuamos enseñando a leer a alumnos que en gran medida no leerán en su etapa adulta; estos alumnos dedican unas mil horas anuales a la televisión, más tiempo del que están en clase. Como el analfabetismo audiovisual puede dejarles en una situación de indefensión ante los mensajes televisivos, la escuela debe adaptarse a la nueva realidad y comprometerse en su alfabetización, enseñándoles a descodificar, a criticar y a producir mensajes audiovisuales. Este trabajo analiza dos experiencias escolares de comunicación audiovisual: Telepuebla y Ebarrios TV. Telepuebla, un proyecto de innovación educativa aprobado por la Junta de Andalucía, se llevó a cabo en el Colegio Público de La Puebla de los Infantes (Sevilla). Fue una televisión escolar que funcionó durante cuatro años, llegando a implicar a todo el pueblo. Empezó con un programa de lectura de imagen que evolucionó hacia la elaboración de imágenes fijas (diapositivas, laboratorio de blanco y negro) y culminó con la producción de vídeos, que se emitían una vez en semana gracias a una pequeña emisora. Los alumnos escribieron los guiones e hicieron todos los trabajos de producción. Se utilizaron equipos domésticos muy rudimentarios. El resultado fueron más de 40 programas, de alrededor de una hora de duración, en los que se alternaban informativos, concursos, debates, reportajes sobre el pueblo y actividades escolares y extraescolares. La falta de ayudas y la miopía de las autoridades educativas hicieron que una iniciativa de estas características no tuviera continuidad. Ebarrios TV. es un nuevo proyecto de innovación que se desarrolla actualmente en el Colegio Público Enríquez Barrios de Córdoba. Los alumnos del tercer ciclo de Primaria (10-12 años) dedican dos o tres horas semanales, dentro del periodo lectivo, al análisis crítico de anuncios y programas elegidos por ellos. En pequeños grupos, que después ponen en común sus observaciones, valoran la estructura formal y lo que les sugieren las secuencias visionadas. Otra actividad es la creación cooperativa de clips, con todos sus pasos: debate sobre el tema que se va a tratar, redacción de los guiones técnico y literario, construcción de decorados, iluminación, ambientación, ensayo, grabación y edición. Las realizaciones se verán y comentarán en el colegio, se distribuirán en DVD y se colgarán (comprimidas) en la página web del colegioDo we teach just what we know, or what our students really need? They spend about a thousand hours per year watching TV, and that is much more time they employ in attending school. To cope with this situation an audiovisual literacy programme should be elaborated by teachers themselves from the schools. This paper deals with two real experiences: Telepuebla, a TV station which was on the air for four years, involving the citizens of a whole village, and Ebarrios TV, an education project designed to teach the media languages, criticize and produce audiovisual message