Self-Management and Partnership Associations: A Case Study in Association of potentiation of the Commercial Areas

Abstract

Given the ever-changing competitive business environment, it is necessary to create alternatives for survival, one of them is by joining forces in pursuit of common goals through the association. The results of this partnership tend to benefit all involved, however, for greater effectiveness, the management interaction is important. In this context, this article seeks to evidence self-management features and partnership with the Associação de Potencialização de Espaços Comerciais – APEC (Association of potentiation of the Commercial Areas), created to continue the SEBRAE project in Francisco Beltrão-PR, which aimed to encourage commercial spaces in partnership with entrepreneurs. This is a case study that woks as data collection instruments: documentary research; the interview with the APEC members and Executive Board; and the questionnaire applied to members. The research period lasted for 41 days occurring between 01/10/2013 to 10/11/2013. It became clear evident indications that the proposed concepts are being practiced, however, with some flaws, as compared to self-management, where there is a lack of participation and commitment from some part of members in decision-making and actions proposed, and for the partnership, that is a lack of affinity between the members and flexibility.