Interorganizational Learning in the Brazilian Bioethanol Industry

The following paper introduces the theoretical background and the industry-case of a PhD research. The research aims to analyze the interorganizational learning that occurs among companies of the Brazilian bioethanol chain, focusing on the transference of the Brazilian bioethanol flex-fuel cars technology. Brazilian FFVs (flex-fuel vehicles) are available in the market since 2003, and consist of cars that run with both gasoline and bioethanol produced from sugarcane. Developed to provide more energy security to the country, this technology is now gaining more international attention due to the fact that it can contribute with the reduction of CO2 emissions in the automotive sector. Therefore, through qualitative case studies, this research will use the organizational learning and transference of technology literature to investigate how the process of technology transfer occurs among companies involved with the Brazilian FFV technology, in order to expose case-particularities and gaps in knowledge transfer, identify factors that foster or hinder this exchange process, and evaluate inter-firm cooperation aims towards sustainability in the mobility sector.