NETWORKS OF SMALL FIRMS: A TIPOLOGY TRIAL IN A SUPERMARKETS NETWORK

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). 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.