O processo de institucionalização da governança em comunidades virtuais de negócios (CVN)

Abstract

This study analyze how the process of institutionalization of governance in Virtual Business Communities (VBCs) to understand how it is influenced by the virtuality. For this reason, a framework was developed considering the virtuality present in the VBCs and the structural and instrumental dimensions of governance in interorganizational relationships. The framework is based on the institutional theory, specifically the theoretical model developed by Tolbert and Zucker (1999), which subdivides the Institutionalization process in steps of habitualization, objectification and sedimentation, and also on the foundations of legitimation proposed by Scott (2008). The research approach used was qualitative, with two case studies, one of them developed under the longitudinal perspective. The cases were represented by two VBCs created for the sector of flowers and ornamental plants, which are: CN-Flores and the Veiling Online Community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and documentary research and analyzed through the content analysis technique. The main results obtained indicate that the institutionalization of governance in the VBCs occur differently, considering the present structured stage of each interorganizational arrangement, which offers support to the respective VBCs. Other results comply with the materiality of the interactions resulting from the virtuality present in the VBCs. The effects of the materiality of the interactions on institutionalization process of governance are perceived by the practicality and promptness during the transactions and their potential to draw up formal decisions, standards and regulations in the VBCs.