Sistemas de Informação como fator estratégico: uma análise das empresas do setor atacadista de alimentos de Caruaru-PE

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which companies in the wholesale food industry of Caruaru - PE are using information technology as a strategic factor of competitiveness. Information technology (IT) has acquired progressive strategic importance in the business scenario and may, in some cases, act as a factor of competitive advantage. The choice of the sector was due to the fact that it is part of agribusiness, a sector which has gained importance to the national economy. Brazilian exports related to agribusiness have helped Brazilian trade balance to remain positive in recent years. Moreover, Caruaru is one of the cities which have obtained fastest growth in the state of Pernambuco in the last decade, and the number of companies in the wholesale sector almost doubled over the same period, following the growth of the city. In addition to that, there is a paucity of research on the topic involving the city. Furthermore, it is believed that the increase in efficiency in the wholesale sector, which is an important link in the value chain of any industry, can benefit the entire value chain of this industry, both upstream as downstream. Concerning the theoretical and conceptual standpoint, this work is structured on the bases of strategy (PORTER, 1996), (MINTZBERG, AHLSTRAND e LAMPEL, 2010) and strategic alignment (HENDERSON e VENKATRAMAN, 1999), (LUFTMAN, PAPP e BRIER, 1999). The survey had an exploratory-descriptive nature and used a questionnaire to collect data. Data was collected from a non-statistical sample of 18 companies, and was analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Information obtained from the data describe some characteristics of the surveyed companies, such as their management profile , the existence of strategic thinking in management, IT strategic alignment, some aspects of IT management and their IT infrastructure. The results, although not conclusive, show that, overall, the surveyed companies show little formal adherence to strategic thinking, which ultimately influence also the way they deal with strategic issues related to the use of IT.