Social network analysis as a tool that contributes to improvement of relations between companies participants in an APL events

Abstract

Companies that organize parties consist of the typical case in which different actors such as buffet, photographer, DJs or musicians, decorators come together to perform specific events. This work analyzes a Local Productive Arrangement (LPA) located in a brazilian metropolitan region consisting of 88 companies called APL Events. The objective of this study was to identify the relations of knowledge that exist between APL Events participants, using the approach of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and to indicate ways to improve relations between the participants. The research identified who knows who and the results showed gaps in the relations between companies. Participants were able to perform the analysis of information based on their own networks (egonetworks) and their centralities. Another relevant fact was the average connection by company type. It was found that buffets have more relations, while companies of photography have less relations. In a workshop with 31 participants suggestions of actions were presented for the improvement of these relations. The main actions that have emerged are: performing more informal meetings, social events, tours, creating virtual space that allows interaction between participants and conducting more formal meetings in general and in groups.