Capacidade absortiva e programas de capacitação em uma cooperativa de crédito: a percepção dos gerentes

Abstract

Knowledge is one of the most important resources for organizations and can be integrated by Absorptive Capacity (AC). This is considered an organizational-level capacity that consists of processes and routines and becomes relevant for the formulation of organizational strategies. It is constituted by a combination of four knowledge capabilities: acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. Such capabilities can involve training programs that allow a company to maintain and increase its collective skills and capabilities. In this sense, the object of analysis is the Union Grow Credit Cooperative, located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC), which has a consolidated online training program with a vast portfolio of courses. By combining the knowledge and dimensions of AC with the training programs of this cooperative, this research has the general objective of: analyzing, in the perception of managers, the contributions of the absorptive capacity derived from the training programs offered by the cooperative. Regarding the methodological procedures used, the research was based on a qualitative approach, with bibliographic and documentary research, in an exploratory manner. The data collected are from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected online, via the Google Meet platform, from January to March 2022, through interviews with seven managers of the Union Grow Credit Cooperative. The interview was based on a data collection instrument developed from the analysis categories extracted from the literature review. Regarding the secondary data, information on the training courses offered by the Union Grow Cooperative was used. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Regarding the results, it was possible to observe that knowledge is acquired through the training courses offered by the online platform that includes training paths focused on the business, assisting in the development and preparation of possible promotions. The experience of employees in their roles also favors the acquisition of new knowledge, internal and external information, in addition to promoting the exchange of knowledge and interaction between employees and members, providing a socialization of knowledge. In addition, employees assimilate knowledge through training courses when they pass on information among employees, through face-to-face interactions, dynamics and management meetings, thus providing more efficient communication. It is also clear that employees transform knowledge through cooperation, a fundamental element in the exchange of experiences, since it helps in the articulation between existing knowledge and new ideas and in the integration between employees aiming at solving problems and transforming this knowledge into business for the cooperative. In this context, knowledge is explored by employees seeking to improve and create new skills in the formalization of rules and procedures, in addition to the prospecting and security of information provided to members, in the offering of products or services and the applicability of new knowledge in improving skills. Furthermore, the CA result, considering the courses that employees take through training programs, brings benefits in improving job performance, expanding technical knowledge, ensuring safety in the offering of products and services, and thus generating new knowledge.