Emerging economies are drawing increasing attention from investors and foreign businesses. However, doing business within emerging countries can be frustrating. As a case in point, in the largest South American economy there is a saying that goes: "Brazil is not for beginners." For casual foreign observers, the country may appear to have the same institutions and traits as developed Western nations. But acting on that assumption may well lead to unsuccessful, frustrating experiences. Behind the Brazilian façade lie institutions still under construction and a complex, hybrid, and everchanging business culture. In this article, we seek to contribute to the understanding of the Brazilian business environment. We deal specifically with the importation and adoption of managerial expertise. We propose a framework to explain the reasons for adoption of this expertise and the reaction of Brazilian companies to it. Based on field surveys, we have identified the three most typical approaches to the adoption of imported managerial expertise: unreasoned adoption, ceremonial behavior, and managerial anthropophagy (cannibalism). We propose that the latter may be at once a perspective for analysis and an appropriate strategy to carry out successful enterprises in Brazil. We also present suggestions to increase the possibility of success for business ventures in Brazil.
Effective with the February, 2006 issue the Academy of Management Executive has changed its name to the Academy of Management Perspectives. The overall goal of the Academy of Management journals is to serve the interests of the Academy's members, and the specific goal of the new Academy of Management Perspectives (AMP) is to publish accessible articles about important issues concerning management and business. AMP articles are aimed at the non-specialist academic reader, and should also be useful for teaching. Serving both these goals more effectively requires a change in strategy and direction for the journal. Going forward, Perspectives will concentrate on two types of articles aimed at this thought leader audience. The first are accessible surveys and reviews of contemporary knowledge about management and business issues. The goal would be to make information about empirical research in management accessible to the non-expert, including students, and the focus of the reviews would have to be on the phenomena of business and management, not the development of the academic literature.
The Academy of Management (the Academy; AOM) is a leading professional association for scholars dedicated to creating and disseminating knowledge about management and organizations. The Academy's central mission is to enhance the profession of management by advancing the scholarship of management and enriching the professional development of its members. The Academy is also committed to shaping the future of management research and education. Founded in 1936, the Academy of Management is the oldest and largest scholarly management association in the world. Today, the Academy is the professional home for more than 18290 members from 103 nations. Membership in the Academy is open to all individuals who find value in belonging.
This item is part of a JSTOR Collection.
For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions
The Academy of Management Executive (1993-2005)
© 2002 Academy of Management
Request Permissions
