The supporter as strategic local actor at the QualiSUS-Network implementation: connection of engineers?

ABSTRACT This paper reflects on the Ministry of Health 'institutional supporter', based on the implementation evaluation of QualiSUS-Network Project. We employed the intermediate actors theory, inspired by the Actor-Network Theory, and adapted to the study's object. Thirteen 'supporters' were interviewed to explore the relationship between the translation operations and mediation process (cognitive, strategic and logistic). The results indicate the 'supporter' as an organizational unit with a legitimate function, but with limited managerial and financial autonomy, which dilutes these actors possibility to produce and manage innovative connections to build alliances and overcome conflicts and controversies.