Eficiência De Representação Das Associações De Produtores De Cana-De-Açúcar No Brasil

The associative model for sugarcane growers is based on their association per region. In the Center-South Region of Brazil, for example, there are 31 associations with about 18 thousand growers, and locally represented by the Sugarcane Growers Organization of the Center-South Region of Brazil (ORPLANA). However, recent sector changes, especially in terms of deregulation, crisis and consolidation, have led some associations to the weakening. On the other side, some associations have grown in the last years. This variability shows the need for studying the existing differences among associations in terms of the role they perform, as well as an investigation of which organizational profile ismore related to their growth and development; configuring a clear representation efficiency. This research was performed within the view of transaction cost economics, with contribution of collective action theory. Questionnaires were applied to 23 managers or presidents of associations. In addition, the statistical grouping based method was used. According to results, three distinct groups of association were identified, which were named as “Techniques”, “Politics”, and “Spokespeople”. The first group was found to be more efficient and prosperous in growth than others. Besides, it has striking features on its profile, such as a diverse scope of activities, high size, developed structure, involvement with cooperatives, strong performance in services, and great number of factories.