Indicadores de desempenho para as micro e pequenas empresas: uma pesquisa com as MPE´s associadas a MICROEMPA de Caxias do Sul/RS

Abstract

To entrepreneurship can be joined the nations´ growth and economy development. GEM research shows that Brazil is one of the nations with the highest world entrepreneurship rates, owing one legal business for every 35 inhabitant. Entrepreneurship rate in Caxias do Sul, where the research was carried out, is one business for every 14 inhabitant, overcoming the national average. Micro and small companies stand for about 98.4% Brazil´s private undertaking. These small businesses are introduced into a highly competitive environment and need ways of management, searching a better competitiveness as a way of surviving, thus arising a demand for performance indexes to help small entrepreneurs on their business management. There have been many performance measuring systems developed through the years; however, it is necessary to check if these systems are applicable to small undertakings, considering the lack of resources. This study aims at verifying whether Micro and Small Companies associated to MICROEMPA in Caxias do Sul make use of performance indexes and which they are. This research is descriptive and exploratory, consisting of a qualitative one, similar to a survey, done through a questionnaire. The sample was developed among 42 companies within 561 with more than four people working. The results have shown that most searched companies make use of performance indexes as a business management follow-up. Furthermore, the companies that have increased their sales in 2007 are the ones that, besides the indexes, have a clear definition of business, established goals, and information about their sector and competitors. Conclusions show that the goals were achieved, bringing relevant information about Micro and Small Companies that have made part of this research.