Tendências da indústria naval e as exportações de granéis agrícolas no porto de Santos: detectando pressões para mudanças organizacionais

Abstract

This research intends to get opinions, knowledge and expectations concerning to the professionals involved with export operations at specialized agribusiness port terminals, at Port of Santos - Brazil. Four main dimensions were studied: the characteristics of Dry Bulk Carrier Ships; the infrastructure of roads, railroads as well as the port; the expected influences brought by "ships of future" over export contracts; and the change needs forced by concurrential enviroment. The analysis is a part of agribusiness sector, specially the commodities soya beam and sugar. The understanding of port changes, market changes, as well as Naval Industry trends, can make the difference between those to be competitive or not, in a global market. To know in advance the answers for the needs of change, in what dimension to deal with and to act, become strategic factors to achieve the competitive advantage, comparing with other competitors port terminals. Many articles concerning the modernization and privatization of Port of Santos, can found in magazines and newspapers, but a few information have been published in books and scientific papers. The knowledge about the trends related to port enviroment, Naval Industry and maritime freight market were used to elaborate the questionnaire for the research, in order to investigate the opinion, the knowledge, and the professional's expectations. The findings, for the sample studied, indicates a good level of organizational changes. Therefore, the technological, regulatory, and market pressures over port terminals contributes to grow an isomorphism in organizational structures. This question could be investigated, on further studies. This theme is a wide-ranging in Management, as well as the field of Logistics. The present investigation brings more knowledge, and stimulates new scientific contributions in the field.