Resumo Este estudo buscou analisar as relações verticais e horizontais e o impacto delas no processo de inovação e aprendizagem interativa, mediante um estudo de caso realizado em um aglomerado produtivo atuante no Brasil. Em termos de procedimento metodológico, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo, contemplando um universo de 36 empresas que atuam no setor madeireiro. Os resultados da pesquisa ajudaram a identificar os fatores que limitam as empresas de um aglomerado a aderirem a relacionamentos de cooperação mais sólidos, capazes de incrementarem a competitividade. Constatou-se que no ambiente das empresas do aglomerado produtivo prevalecem os mecanismos do tipo learning by doing, obtidos pelas experiências acumuladas e habilidades adquiridas localmente, possibilitando a definição de adaptações e melhorias tecnológicas. Foi possível constatar a necessidade da construção de espaços que permitam a aprendizagem interativa no ambiente interno das empresas, com o desenvolvimento de novas habilidades e competências necessárias à inovação.

Abstract This study sought to examine the vertical and horizontal relationships and the impact of these relationships on the process of innovation and learning by interacting, using a case study in an active industry cluster in Brazil. The methodology procedure was field research with a universe of 36 companies of the lumber industry. The research results helped identify the factors that prevent companies of a cluster from establishing more solid collaboration relationships capable of enhancing competitiveness. It was found that the prevailing mechanism in the business environment of the cluster was learning by doing, obtained from accumulated experiences and skills acquired locally, which allow the definition of adaptations and technological improvements. These findings reveal the need to create spaces inside the companies for learning by interacting and the development of new skills and competencies required for innovation.

Abstract A significant challenge facing companies that are members of collaborative networks are measuring their market performance, even as they evaluate their contribution to the development of the network. This paper develops a model for analyzing the performance measurement of horizontal business networks. We do this by reviewing literature related to performance management in horizontal networks and systematically selecting eight functional perspectives, and 25 operational factors associated with them, to measure the performance of both companies and the network. We employ the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for deciding perspective weights and use its quantitative results to create a diagram for representing the effectiveness of performance management at the company and network level. The model is tested by applying it to companies in an Information Technology business network. We analyze the results of the individual and network performance of the companies surveyed, along with the evaluative perspectives relevant to the network.