Redes Estratégicas Virtuais: Fatores Críticos de Sucesso

This paper aims at sharing the initial results of an exploratory research with a view to identifying critical factors for successfully managed firms embedded in virtual strategic networks, that is, virtual communities with strategic objectives. The research involved a survey of the leading firms in Brazil and an extensive literature review. The survey of CEO perceptions provided evidence suggesting that less than one-fifth of the leading firms operate in virtual strategic networks, the main reasons for doing marketing and supply chain optimization. As to the literature review, it contributed to the research's theoretical reference by providing elements for the development of a typology of virtual strategic networks to help identify the critical success factors. As a result of both investigations, a framework was proposed to guide the definition of conditions necessary for the development of the different types of virtual networks. Also, critical success factors were identified in accordance with the virtuality characteristics of each type.