Os efeitos da tecnologia nas empresas de transporte rodoviário de cargas do Triângulo Mineiro e a ambidestria organizacional como possível resposta

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how technologies pose challenges to the organizational structures of road freight transport companies in the Triângulo Mineiro region, how they are characterized, and whether elements of ambidexterity can help in adapting these structures to new technologies. To achieve this, a multiple case study was conducted, selecting a set of nine representative companies, distributed among three small, three medium-sized, and three large-sized firms. The managers of these companies participated in a survey, responding to a structured questionnaire addressing the key points of interest in this investigation. The researched companies exhibit a history of longevity, with 67% of them operating in the sector for more than 16 years. Furthermore, the identification of adopted technologies allowed for the identification of the most frequently used tools in road freight transport in the Triângulo Mineiro region. Understanding these technologies and their implications is crucial for comprehending the structural changes and their effects on organizational ambidexterity. Among the surveyed companies, smaller and medium-sized ones tend to adopt simpler structures, while larger companies adopt characteristics of professional bureaucracy, with decision-making often centralized in the upper layers. However, with regard to ambidexterity, there is a trend towards exploitation actions, such as seeking continuous improvement processes, productivity, and a cautious approach to risks. It is important to highlight that the studied companies have room for improvement in terms of ambidexterity elements. The identification of a management gap is evident due to the lack of clarity on which element (exploration or exploitation) should be prioritized and how to effectively integrate workers into these processes. The information obtained through the research questionnaire points to the need to fill this gap and find effective ways to balance exploratory and exploitative approaches in organizational decisions.