Governança de Redes de Economia Solidária: análise dos modos e dimensões da governança de redes solidárias da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The present work aims to analyze modes and dimensions found in solidarity networks of the South region of Brazil. In order to accomplish these analysis, an approximation was made between the Network Governance’s theory and the theory that delas with Solidarity Economy. The objects of analysis of this work were the networks Bem da Terra and ARPA-SUL. From the analysis between the two theories and the two networks studied, four theoretical propositions were listed: the governance mode of Solidarity Economy networks is participatory and selfmanagement features in small networks; whereas larger networks are more complex, other Solidary Economy networks governance modes networks may emerge as the leading organization with specific or hybrid administrative organization; in the process of creation or adaptation of the Solidarity Economy networks are defined structuring elements of the network subjectives or objectives envolving centralization, formalization, specialization and network activation; the governance process of Solidarity Economy networks involves the application of instrumental procedures associated with mobilization, harmonization, communication, knowledge exchange, the relationship with the stakeholders and the material and imaterial incentives, production processes organization and control. The four propositions ere corroborated through a qualitative research that included the application of interviews through a script, held between June and September 2016, of documents provided by both networks and by participant observation. The treatment of the obtained data was done through the software NVivo with the elaboration of categories, divided in: modes of governance, structural dimension and instrumental dimension. Commonality was observed regarding modes of governance, referring the concept of self-management to participatory governance. Network governance's theory complements Solidarity Economy's governances with two more verticalized modes. It was also found that networks’ governance theory could add Solidarity Economy theory with greater detail of structuring elements of governance. Network governance and Solidarity Economy theories demonstrated that both resemble in instrumental aspects. When analysed together the two networks, different modes of governance were observed. The limitations of this research were: analyzed networks are located in the southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and only two networks were analyzed. As a suggestion of future research it is proposed to understand how these modes, structures and instruments interact, with a view to the best performance of these networks. In this last case, the research would need to be conducted through a survey of Brazilian Solidarity Economy networks. Methods of studying organizational configurations could contribute to this understanding.