ABSTRACT
The present study intended to analyze the characteristics in a retail supermarket network, the “Rede Econômica de Supermercados”, according to the typology of networks made by Hoffmann et al. (2004)HOFFMANN, V. E.; MOLINA-MORALES, F. X.; MARTINEZ-FERNANDEZ, M. T. Redes de empresas: uma tipologia para sua classificacao. In: ENCONTRO DA ASSOCIACAO NACIONAL DE PROGRAMAS DE POS-GRADUACAO EM ADMINISTRACAO, 28, 2004, Curitiba. Anais... Curitiba: Anpad, 2004.. Besides, it was sought to identify which are the main benefits and difficulties for operating a network. Through interviews made with the network manager, the supply manager and also through the analysis of the companies’ documents and reports, it was possible to classify the network as “horizontal”, “clustered”, “formal” and “non-orbital”. The main benefits perceived for the supermarkets in relation to their participation in the network were: joint marketing and purchasing. The main difficulty found was balancing business goals with individual goals.
KEYWORDS:
Business networking; Networks cooperation; Strategic alliances; Typology of networks; Small business; Supermarkets