The Brazilian automotive industry has had a growth in recent years, and this fact is also observed in related industry activities, such as the automotive accessories sector. For these segments, the choice of intermediaries is so important that may determine the success or failure of a marketing strategy. The aim of this study is to identify the relevant attributes of the intermediary customer decision making. According to theoretical models, the intermediary customer’s decision process is based on three factors: product characteristics, alternative suppliers, and situational characteristics. We conducted a survey with shops and dealers of automotive accessories across Brazil in order to assess the relevant attributes in the decision making process of intermediary customers. Based on factor analysis, seven constructs were identified: manufacturer’s commercial attributes, manufacturer’s marketing efforts, manufacturer's technical attributes, characteristics of the dealer, relationship attributes, product characteristics, and information source. We conclude that the intermediaries give great importance to relations with both the supplier and the vendor, and they are also influenced by the support and partnership offered by the manufacturer

This manuscript suggests a methodology for measuring logistics costs. To achieve this, the steps were as follows: (1) the selection of a company, (2) the description of the production process, (3) the characterization of the PPPC, (4) the identification of logistics operations, and (5) the deployment of Activity Based Costing (ABC). Through interviews and visits to the factory, we obtained the following information: the company’s headquarters are located in Campina Grande, Brazil, and the PPPC features an annual planning of activities, alternating schedule between pulls and pushes, depending on the demand. Regarding logistics operations, they may be divided into three macro-processes: supply, distribution, and facilities. The main limitation of our research was the unavailability of accounting data from the company, thus compromising the direct application of the ABC method. Given the limitations, we proceeded to suggest a methodology for measuring logistics costs using ABC. We also suggest the application of various costing methods for the quantification of logistics costs, as well as the demonstration of logistical operations that occur in different production systems.

The aim of this study was to verify the compatibility of training activities with a university’s needs by surveying the perceptions of employees about the effectiveness of a training program between 2010 and 2011. The research was done at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, with staff members of the Education service. Results were based on the analysis of a questionnaire applied to employees, documents and interviews that were enabled by the coordination of people development. Most respondents completed high school, aging between 40 and 59, and with time of service from 21 to 29 years. The degree of employee interest reached a very good level, especially the monitoring of changes occurring in the workplace (77%). As of training objectives, most respondents are satisfied in part or in full, claiming that training had a positive impact on the organizational environment and the fulfillment of employee routines.

The image of an organization is what it wants to communicate about itself, including the expression of symbolic elements, with great impact on its survival and expression. Given the close relationship of the company in focus with the community of Itabira, Brazil, this study collected the perceptions of young people from that city about the organizational image and its symbolic power present in speeches. The research used qualitative and descriptive methods. The unit of analysis was Vale, the subjects were youngsters between 15 and 25 years, and data collection was carried out through interviews and focal group. Content analysis was the main data analysis method. Results include favorable and unfavorable aspects of the company, such as environmental impact, the lack of communication, employment numbers, and benefits for the employees.

This manuscript analyzes the Brazilian and the international publications on e-learning to verify if they share similarities, especially if the most cited authors are the same in both literatures. The research focused on e-learning in the field of management. We deployed a bibliometric approach to identify the national and the international production. Results show that papers on this subject increased in the last years; that the authors with the greatest number of papers cited are not necessarily the most relevant; that the focus is on the educational field; and that Brazilian studies did not cite the international hot topics. We conclude that there is a gap between the Brazilian and the international literatures, and that the Brazilian papers are based on less relevant references, thus putting in evidence a dissonance between both strands of research.