Longevidade organizacional: O tempo nos estudos de gestão estratégica de empresas duradouras de atuação regional e nacional

Abstract

Contextualization: This research addresses to various conceptions of business longevity in studies on management and organizational strategy. It is grounded in research on time from the perspectives of philosophy, history, and business studies, exploring concepts and tools related to temporality in organizations such as scenario analysis, organizational life cycle, and path dependence. Additionally, it delves into studies on storytelling, organizational history, and organizational discourse. Objective: The research question is: The research aims to understand the conceptions of business longevity in management and organizational studies, encompassing both the organic functionalist approach and the symbolic-discursive interpretative perspective The objective is to analyze these conceptions in different approaches, as well as in the practices of long-lasting companies with national and regional operations. Method: The study involves the collection and analysis of materials using the critical discourse analysis (CDA) method, considering the socio-cognitive approach of Teun A. van Dijk. Data collection has been performed in documentary research on long-standing centennial companies’ websites that have national and regional operations. Results: The research analyzes the longevity stories of companies with national and regional operations, offering new perspectives on the relationship between business organizations and temporality. We have analyzed the discourse of how 13 long-lived organizations create of themselves through 10 images. These images convey the social roles, historical elements, and future projections that companies integrate into their present, shaping the narratives presented to stakeholders. The discussion of results illustrates how the discourse on business longevity can connect theories from both organic functionalist approach and a symbolic-discursive approach. It also contributes to the study of time and organizational history, highlighting how companies intertwine their histories with that of their country, aligning actions with the UN 2030 agenda and ESG policies. Compliance of the research with the PPGAdm concentration area (Regionality and Management) and with the research line: It introduces a symbolic-discursive perspective to the study of organizational strategic management. Impact and Innovation: The research contributes to the study of temporality in strategic management, providing a symbolic-discursive interpretative perspective and suggesting new analytical directions. It challenges aspects overlooked by an organic-functional perspective prevalent in the field. Economic, Social, and Regional Impact: Long-lived organizations impact their environments economically and regionally, shaping strategies over time. They contribute to income generation, job creation, and social identities. The discourse of managers and founders influences their performance amid changing scenarios and challenges, emphasizing the role of strategies and discourses in organizational survival.Implicações regionais: Os discursos de empresas longevas revelam práticas bem-sucedidas e práticas que não deveriam ser repetidas ou copiadas por outras empresas. Entender quais são essas práticas contribui para práticas de empresas iniciantes com atuação regional. Essas práticas estão na base de geração de empregos, de desenvolvimento sustentável, da geração de riqueza para a região, os municípios e o estado. Compreender a ação de empresas com atuação regional é essencial para disseminar práticas bem-sucedidas. Regional Implications: Speeches of long-lived companies offer insights into successful practices and lessons for other companies. Understanding these practices is crucial for start-ups with regional operations and forms the foundation for job creation, sustainable development, and wealth creation in regions. Sustainable Development Objectives: The research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, contributing examples of innovative, technological, and socially responsible practices. It supports inclusive industrialization and sustainable development, meeting specific goals of SDG 9.