Embeddedness and innovative processes: a study of shoes cluster in Brazil

Abstract

Based upon the perspective of social networks, this paper discusses the innovative processes in two different categories of companies (high performance enterprises; low performance enterprises), located in Nova Serrana shoes cluster, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The results show that the networks of companies described as high innovative performance have denser networks, many strong ties and few isolated actors, turning more refined the embedded information and resources and more dynamic their propagation and usage. On the other hand, the social networks of low innovative performance companies are more diffuse, with many isolated actors, absence of central actors, making more difficult the process of propagation and appropriation of novel information, especially from the outside world.

Keywords

• inovação
• redes sociais
• território produtivo