ABSTRACT This study aims to assess whether the ease of doing business can be considered as an alternative path (indirect path) between innovation and competitiveness of nations, improving the understanding of the effect transfer between these two variables. The study used exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis and mediation techniques applied to data from 141 countries contemplated in The Global Competitiveness report 2019 by the WEF and Doing Business report 2019 by the World Bank. The results show the mediator role of ease of doing business in the relationship between innovation and global competitiveness. Innovation improves the competitiveness of nations, but rules and regulations can be a barrier to this relationship. Therefore, ease of doing business is an essential element in improving the relationship between innovation and competitiveness, helping policymakers to focus their efforts on ease of doing business aspects in such a way as to enhance the economic process and support investors to make the most appropriate decisions when choosing the countries in which to invest their resources. Complementarily, the study also contributes by pointing out that the current method of calculating the EDB index may not be the most suitable, since it can distort analysis affecting international investment feasibility studies. indirect nations variables exploratoryconfirmatory exploratory confirmatory 14 201 Bank Therefore resources Complementarily suitable studies 1 20 2

RESUMO Este artigo tem como objetivo mostrar que a África e a América do Sul poderiam se beneficiar muito mais dos recursos que possuem em suas florestas tropicais. Isso ocorre porque a biodiversidade fortemente presente nos dois continentes é a base para o desenvolvimento de muitos medicamentos, pesticidas e outros produtos produzidos pela indústria química e farmacêutica, mas essas estão localizadas nas regiões mais desenvolvidas do planeta. O artigo lista os autores que abordaram a questão e propõem medidas que podem transformar esses continentes mais pobres de meros fornecedores de conhecimento de plantas em importantes fabricantes farmacêuticos. Discute-se que a biotecnologia será uma das disciplinas mais importantes em menos de trinta anos e ela precisa do conhecimento existente nas plantas e por isso a importância da biodiversidade. Também é discutido que a biopirataria prejudica ambas as regiões, mas felizmente e devido ao recente Protocolo de Nagoya, existem novas ferramentas para eliminar esse enorme problema.

ABSTRACT This article aims to show that Africa and South America could benefit more from the resources of their tropical forests. This is because the biodiversity strongly present on both continents is the basis for the development of many drugs, pesticides, and other products of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, which, however, are located mainly in the most developed regions of the planet. The article lists the authors who have addressed this issue and proposes measures that could transform these poorer continents from mere suppliers of plant-based knowledge into important pharmaceutical manufacturers. It claims that biotechnology will be one of the most important disciplines less than thirty years from now, but depends on the knowledge found in the plants, which is the reason why biodiversity is so important. And it also discusses how biopiracy harms both regions, although because of the recent Nagoya Protocol, there are fortunately new tools to eliminate this huge problem.

ABSTRACT Organizational studies highlight the role of innovation for competitiveness, but few of them address ecological sustainability as one of the variables in this relationship. The traditional model only considers economic growth to be anchored in the dimension of innovation, disregarding the environment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of ecological sustainability on the relationship between innovation and global competitiveness. To reach the goal of the manuscript, a database was used that included indicators from 119 countries present in the Global Competitiveness Report of WEF and the Global Innovation Index. The data were treated using regression analysis with mediation techniques. The results suggest significant mediation of ecological sustainability in the relationship between innovation and global competitiveness. This work shows the importance of ecological sustainability to increase country’s innovative activity and consequently its competitiveness. Additionally, it draws attention to the gap in studies that present these relationships at the country level. In terms of practical contributions, the findings support the recommendation for companies to focus on actions to environmental and innovation management improving sustainability and increasing organizational performance and long-term survival. Finally, this research also draws attention to the lack of an important indicator of ecological sustainability in a report addressing countries’ competitiveness.

RESUMO Contexto: poucos são os estudos que visam a calcular a produtividade em nível microeconômico e uma das variáveis que contribuem para isso é a capacidade das firmas de absorver o conhecimento externo - capacidade absortiva. Contudo, outra variável também vem ganhando poder de explicação nessa direção - a das boas práticas de gestão. Ocorre que não se encontra facilmente estudos que tratem essas duas variáveis em conjunto e que as relacione com a produtividade. Objetivo: o objetivo desta pesquisa é entender como se dá a interação entre boas práticas de gestão e a capacidade absortiva das firmas e seu impacto sobre a produtividade. Método: foi utilizado o método multicasos, tendo este sido aplicado em indústrias transnacionais e nacionais. Resultados: os resultados apontam que a existência de boas práticas de gestão atua como uma influenciadora da capacidade absortiva, e que tal relação gera um impacto positivo sobre a produtividade das firmas. Ademais, foi revelado que os processos de gestão nas empresas transnacionais contribuem de forma mais efetiva quanto à capacidade absortiva e produtividade do que nas empresas nacionais. Conclusões: como contribuição, é apresentado um modelo de análise que demonstra as relações entre as variáveis estudadas, podendo-se evidenciar a importância das boas práticas de gestão como determinante ao desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva e à melhoria das condições de produtividade das firmas.

ABSTRACT Context: there are few studies that aim to calculate productivity at the microeconomic level and one of the variables that contributes to this is the ability of firms to absorb external knowledge - absorptive capacity. However, another variable is also gaining explanatory power in this direction - that of good management practices. It turns out that studies that deal with these two variables together and that relate them to productivity are not easily found. Objective: the objective of this research is to understand how the interaction between good management practices and the absorptive capacity of firms and the impact on productivity takes place. Method: the multi-case method was used, having been applied in transnational and national industries. Results: the results show that the existence of good management practices acts as an influencer of absorptive capacity, and that this relationship has a positive impact on the productivity of firms. Furthermore, it was revealed that management processes in transnational companies contribute more effectively to absorptive capacity and productivity than in national companies. Conclusions: as a contribution, an analysis model is presented that demonstrates the relationships between the variables studied, showing the importance of good management practices as a determinant for the development of absorptive capacity and the improvement of firms' productivity conditions.

Resumo Objetivo – Este estudo busca investigar se um bom ambiente de gestão nas empresas determina resultados em termos de competitividade do país. Além disso, visa verificar se a inovação desempenha papel em contribuir para isso. Metodologia – O estudo utilizou modelagem de equações estruturais e dados de 138 países contemplados no Relatório de Competitividade Global 2016/2017 (Fórum Econômico Mundial 2016). Várias teorias têm sido usadas para relacionar a competitividade à inovação e às práticas de gestão. Essa discussão foi ampliada, levando essas variáveis em conta em um quadro mais abrangente. Resultados – A análise realizada indica o papel das boas práticas de gestão como mediadoras na relação que existe entre a inovação e a competitividade global, o que reforça a importância de um bom nível de gestão. Contribuições – Há muitos estudos e discussões sobre a competitividade global. Os fatores na literatura usados para explicar o grau de competitividade de um país incluem mão de obra barata, matéria-prima abundante, quantidade de capital disponível para investimento e, especialmente, capacidade de inovar. Alguns autores apontam para um quinto fator: boas práticas de gestão. Este artigo mostra como esse fator contribui para a competitividade. A contribuição mais importante deste estudo é mostrar que a inovação por si só não pode garantir a competitividade em corporações ou nações, mas exige a presença simultânea de boas práticas de gestão.

Abstract Purpose – This study seeks to investigate whether a good management environment in companies determines results in terms of country competitiveness. Additionally, it aims to verify if innovation plays a role in contributing to this. Design/methodology/approach – The study used structural equation modeling and data on 138 countries contemplated in The Global Competitiveness Report 2016/2017 (2016 World Economic Forum). A number of theories have been used to relate competitiveness to innovation and to management practices. This discussion was expanded, taking these variables into account in a more comprehensive framework. Findings – The analysis performed indicates the role of best management practices as a mediator in the relationship that exists between innovation and global competitiveness, which reinforces the importance of a good level of management Originality/Value- There have been many studies and discussions about global competitiveness. The factors in the literature used to explain a country´s degree of competitiveness include cheap labor, abundant raw materials, the amount of capital available for investment, and, especially, the capacity to innovate. Some authors point to a fifth factor: best management practices. The paper shows how this factor improves competitiveness. The most important contribution of this study is to demonstrate that innovation alone cannot by itself ensure competitiveness in companies or nations, and requires the simultaneous presence of best management practices.

Resumo Os jogos de empresas, além de utilizados no processo de ensino, também são explorados como ferramentas de pesquisa, conforme Gentry, Tice, Robertson e Gentry (1984). Este estudo, de natureza qualitativa e quantitativa, descritivo quanto aos objetivos, e caracterizado como revisão integrativa no tocante ao método, trata do seguinte problema de pesquisa: Qual o perfil da pesquisa acadêmica brasileira sobre jogos de empresas considerando a abordagem ao fenômeno e as perspectivas teóricas e metodológicas? Foram analisados 226 artigos extraídos de periódicos online, do indexador Spell e anais de eventos. Como resultado, é proposta uma tipologia para classificação das pesquisas em jogos de empresas, considerando a abordagem ao fenômeno de pesquisa e os eixos temáticos. Constatou-se a predominância de estudos que têm as simulações como objeto de pesquisa - SCOPE (77,9%) -, enquanto 22,1% utilizam os jogos de empresas como ambiente de pesquisa - SCAPE. Verificou-se que 38,5% dos estudos não mencionam quaisquer das classificações metodológicas analisadas. Discute-se algumas fragilidades metodológicas identificadas nas pesquisas da área. Apesar de as classificações não serem determinantes para a qualidade de um estudo, representam importante indicador da consistência do processo de reflexão e da coesão da investigação.

Abstract In addition to being used in the teaching process, Business Games are used as research tools, as pointed out by Gentry, Tice, Robertson and Gentry (1984). This qualitative, quantitative and descriptive study is characterized as an integrative review regarding methodology, and deals with the following research problem: what are the characteristics of Brazilian academic research articles on business games, considering their approach to the phenomenon, theoretical background and methodological aspects? A total of 226 articles published in online scientific journals, as well as the Spell indexer and in conferences were analyzed. Results produced a proposed typology for the classification of research in business games, considering: (a) research approach to the phenomenon; and (b) theoretical themes. A predominance of studies was observed to focus on simulations as research objects - SARO (77.9%), while 22.1% use business simulations as a research environment - SARE. Among the studies, 38.5% were found to not mention any of the methodological classifications analyzed. The paper discusses some methodological weaknesses identified in the research area. Although classification is not instrumental in determining the quality of a study, it is evidence of consistency in the reflection process and of cohesion in the research.

The central proposition of this paper is to assess the performance of cross-border acquisitions made by Multilatinas. Applying the event study method to a sample of 607 announcements of acquisitions during the period 1989-2011 by 182 Multilatinas from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, we conclude that: (a) on average, these announcements have a neutral impact on the short-term returns to acquiring companies' shareholders; (b) cross-sectional analysis reveals that relative size of the deals have a negative and significant effect on investors' reactions and; (c) unlike the institutional distance between home and host countries, cultural distance matters, since it has a negative and significant effect on the perceptions that investors have regarding the expected economic impact of acquirers' cross-border merger and acquisition (M&A) decisions. Inasmuch as the market rationality assumption that underlies the event study method has been questioned, future research lines are proposed in order to search for alternative long-term performance constructs concerning M&A processes in general that can: (a) shed light on the reality of value creation (and destruction) from cross-border acquisitions made by Multilatinas; and (b) contribute to strategy, international business and M&A theories and practice.

O texto trata da influência da história, da geografia e dos fatores culturais sobre o desenvolvimento econômico, centrando sua atenção na forma como as empresas são geridas. O foco do trabalho é a América Latina. Após uma síntese sobre a história da região com ênfase em aspectos econômicos, procura-se analisar alguns hábitos e costumes dos povos latinos americanos e demonstrar de que forma influenciam as empresas locais e sua administração. Atenção especial é dada para a questão das inovações, procurando-se a explicação pela qual elas são escassas em nosso continente.

The text deals with the influence of history, geography and cultural aspects on economic development dedicating more attention to the way companies are managed. The focus of the paper is Latin America. After a summary about the history of the region with emphasis in the economic aspects the text tries to analyze some habits and uses of Latin Americans and explain how they influence the enterprises and the way they are being managed. Special attention is dedicated to the innovation subject and to the reason why they are so scarce on the continent.

O presente artigo trata da relação entre as condições geográficas de uma determinada região e o surgimento de inovações, com o objetivo de analisar as causas para o atraso da América Latina nas questões referentes ao desenvolvimento tecnológico. O texto aborda o problema olhando para as maiores empresas da região, discutindo qual a explicação para o fato de estas raramente estarem nos setores classificados como de alta tecnologia. Para buscar essa explicação, o artigo percorre vários autores que se debruçaram sobre o tema detendo-se, principalmente, naqueles que fizeram comparações com outras regiões do globo, mormente os países asiáticos, tendo em vista caracterizar os aspectos geográficos decisivos para a ocorrência de inovações. O resultado é altamente preocupante, pois são raras as empresas da América Latina que conseguem projeção mundial e as mesmas, quase sempre, fazem parte de setores da economia de conteúdo tecnológico muito baixo.

The present paper deals with the relation between geographical conditions in a specific region and the occurrence of innovations. The objective is to analyze the reasons for the backwardness of Latin America in matters related to technology development. The article's approach is to observe the largest companies of the region, trying to understand why they almost never are part of the high technology industries. In order to get these explanations, the article mentions many authors that have dedicated themselves to this subject, paying more attention to those who had made comparisons with other regions in the world, specially Asia. The aim here was to characterize the geographic circumstances that were decisive to the occurrence of innovations. The results are deeply alarming not only because of the low number of Latin American companies that have reached worldwide recognition, but also because, almost always, these few companies came from where the technology content is very low.