This article proposes an interpretation of the phenomenon Cooperation Networks in the context of Organizational Theories. The basic assumption is that the Economy of Transaction Costs is one of the main motivating factors for the development of governance structures located between the market and the hierarchy. Two cases were analyzed and inserted into different institutional context: Futuroscope Technopole (France) and the AGIVEST Network (Brazil). The results of the research showed that the main attributes of the transactions identified as conditioning of combinations were: asset specificity and uncertainty. From a governance perspective, an institutional one was identified, under the responsibility of the State, and a governance of activities properly. Besides the relevance of transaction costs, the results indicated that the role of the State seems to be essential for the establishment of such initiatives.
Transaction costs; cooperation networks; small and medium firms; management
