Control versus innovation: an analysis applied to Brazilian companies revisiting and extending the Simons model

• Grant number: 11/13060-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2011
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Accounting
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Frezatti
• Grantee: Fábio Frezatti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade (FEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Paula Capuano da Cruz ; Andson Braga de Aguiar ; Diógenes de Souza Bido ; Emanuel Rodrigues Junqueira de Matos ; Marcelo Francini Girão Barroso ; Maria José de Camargo Machado de Zen

Abstract

The research project aims to discuss innovation, and how to check if it comes within the management process of Brazilian companies of medium and large sizes. The theoretical framework chosen was that of Simons (1995), from the levers of control, which allows a particularly wide management model and its artifacts. The research perspective that takes into account, while it is essential to understand what exists in terms of innovation process in the country in general, through a survey, should direct the analysis to studies that provide an understanding of reality in a deeper dimension through case studies and experiments. In this sense, the approach of mixed-methods by Tashakkori and Teddlie (2003) provides a comprehensive analysis capable of capturing the complexity presented by the fact of combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding the problem. Thus, the contributions of this research are: (i) when it comes to innovation, what it means and it really occur? The speech and "actual occurrence" approach? (ii) the prospect of priority for control versus innovation makes sense in the management model, or is it a special? (iii) as influenced by external factors that impact the company and the management model are related to innovation? These contributions to the gaps bring significant impact on the management model of organizations and thus their competitive potential. Additionally, this research particularized analysis from the Brazilian reality, poorly studied and exhibited internationally. (AU)