A NATUREZA CONTINGENTE DA AÇÃO ECONÔMICA: UM ESTUDO SOBRE IMERSÃO SOCIAL NO SETOR CALÇADISTA DO VALE DO SINOS NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

This article is centered on the analysis of the social immersion’s influence on the economic action of the shoe-leather sector of Vale do Sinos in Rio Grande do Sul. The method used was a study-case whose longitudinal approach allowed an analysis from the region’s colonization until the present to be done. Primary and secondary data identified changes on the sector’s competitive dynamics, on the main social actors and organizational characteristics, making the comprehension of the contingent nature of the economic action possible. It was concluded that the power’s asymmetries are better comprehended when inserted on a wide social context, it means, inserted on the shoes’ world chain. The architecture and position of the net, the laces’ constitution and types were important to understand decisions about whom one can become partner with, do business,  as well as about the relation among businessmen, and among these and their employees. It was also observed that collective categories derived from the social interaction among actors produced limits that were beyond those already considered by the limited reasoning concept. Finally, it was noted how cultural elements constituted and were constituted by the action of different actors, as well as how their organizational actions are constituted by aspects of local and world context, denoting changes in the immersion process of the sector.