Compartilhamento de conhecimento e ganhos relacionais em iniciativas de inovação social: um estudo de caso sob a perspectiva da visão relacional

Abstract

Social innovation results from the mobilization of a constellation of actors who, through collaborative relationships, co-create knowledge to build solutions to social problems. This study sought to understand how the routines of knowledge sharing, among the actors of a social innovation initiative, contribute to generating relational rents. For this purpose, the theoretical approaches of Social Innovation and Relational View (DYER; SINGH, 1998) were used along with the contributions from research on Relationship Value. (BIGGMANN; BUTTLE, 2012). The research methodology applied in this study was the qualitative exploratory approach through a case study, which had as its object of analysis the Vila Flores collective. This study's categories and subcategories of analysis were defined a priori (Social Innovation – Initiative and Relations among the actors; Relational View – Routines, Barriers, and Relational Rents) through five techniques of data collection, which are documentary research, participant and non-participant observations, mapping of artifacts, and interviews. The diversity of sources made it possible to triangulate the data, generating a broader depth and accuracy of results. Initially, the trajectory of the initiative was mapped, which contains five phases namely preinitiative, internal structuring, expansion, maturation of governance, and strengthening, as well as nine moments of consolidation of the initiative through Critical Turning Points (CTPs). Moreover, the interactions with the environment, the purpose of the collective, the roles, and the interrelationships among the actors were addressed. Regarding the knowledge sharing routines, practices and tools were identified, as well as barriers - internal and external. Furthermore, the relational rents perceived by the actors were analyzed and, then, grouped in the dimensions of the Value of Relations. The conclusion was that the routines of knowledge sharing contribute to generate relational gains, with formal ones having greater synergy with financial and knowledge values. On the other hand, informal routines are more in line with personal and collective values, the latter being created in order to address issues related to the relationships between the actors of a social innovation initiative. The strategic value is permeated by formal and informal routines, without distinction. Finally, despite not being the objective of this research, it was realized that the relational gains are relevant to enable the collective to create social value, necessary for the social transformation of the context in which they operate.