Orientação empreendedora : uma análise dos efeitos do Programa ALI no desempenho financeiro de micro e pequenas empresas da grande Cuiabá

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the effects of the “Local Innovation Agentes” consulting program, offered by the Serviço de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (SEBRAE) in partnership with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), through the use of questionnaires and interviews with a sample of entrepreneurs who participated in the program in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande. The theoretical review of the theme encompasses the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation, as defined by Lumpkin and Dess (1996); the main concepts and characteristics of business consulting, especially with regard to micro and small enterprises (SMEs) and the ALI Program. The results indicate that the participants have a tendency towards entrepreneurial orientation, although they have a greater risk aversion than expected. They also indicate that business owners are generally satisfied with the results of the consultancy.