Global Journal of Management and Business Research, B: Economics and Commerce, Volume 23 Issue 3

Study of Artisanal Açaí Beater under the Light of Institutionalist Theory: An Integrative Review Dr. José Luiz Nunes Fernandes Author: e-mail: jluiz@ufpa.br Abstract- In the North region of Brazil, the economic and social significance of the artisanal açaí whisking activity cannot be contested, a reality that instigates research. In this context, the objective of studying and better knowing the activity of the scout under the precepts of the Institutionalist Theory emerged. In order to reach the established purpose, an Exploratory Research type was adopted with a bias of Integrative Review of the theoretical framework underlying the Institutionalist Theory. As a result, it is understood that it is possible to infer that the Institutionalist Theory and its evolution makes it possible to homogeneously support not only studies focused on objects in the form of companies, enterprises, I. I ntroduction Costa (2017) says that small businesses, as a structural foundation, understanding them as a reality compatible with capitalist development and the accumulation process, overcomes the traditional Marxist vision for which the process of concentration and centralization is linear and irrevocable. Micro and small businesses offer a significant contribution to the Pará and Brazilian economy, as in addition to the production of goods and services absorbing a considerable amount of labor, they also stimulate competition combined with the capacity for innovation and growth potential (ARAÚJO, 2017). Gala (2017, p.109) goes on to say that “the key to the economic problem is not technological advancement or capital accumulation, but the rules or institutional arrangements that encourage or inhibit activities”. Not only... but also companies, such as the micro-entrepreneur that beats açaí, can be studied under the concepts of Institutionalist Theory, as Hodgson (1985, p.134) says, when he expresses that “beginning with a definition of institutions as a system of socially rooted rules, it is evident that companies are a special type of institution, with additional character- istics”. Already Hindess (1989, p. 89) treats organizations as social actors, when he says that “organizations can be treated as social actors as long as they have the means to reach decisions and act in some of them”. Coleman (1982) complements when he says that the criteria that sometimes allow us to treat organizations as actors require an understanding of organizations as social systems that have limits and rules. Yes, companies are institutions, as they are groups that have a code of ethics and corporate governance rules, in addition to acting collectively for a common objective, namely: profit and growth (FIANI, 2011). In the aforementioned context, the following guiding question arose for this research: How does the Institutional Theory contribute to a better understanding of the practical activities of the açaí whisk? As well as the objective of studying and better knowing the activity of the scout under the precepts of the Institutionalist Theory. The research carried out by Kuznets (1986), which sought to discuss Institutionalism in different economic periods with their own characteristics throughout history, such as the feudal period, the great navigations, etc. the dynamics of growth during those historic moments comprised not only the cumulative effects of new knowledge, but also the effects of the new institutions created by them. To methodologically support this research, the understanding of Souza, Silva and Carvalho (2010) is expressed, when they say that the integrative review is a method that provides the synthesis of knowledge and the incorporation of the applicability of results of significant studies in practice. It is therefore summarized that the integrative review emerges as a methodology that provides the synthesis of knowledge and the incorporation of the applicability of results of significant studies in practice. 15 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXIII Issue III Version I Year 2023 ( ) B © 2023 Global Journals organizations and correlates, thus generating a framework he uniqueness of the artisanal açaí whisk is highlighted by Silva (2017), when he says that the existence of “acai spots” is a unique invention of the population of Belém, which completely depends on the local habit of consuming the pulp of the fruit as a basic meal, Furthermore, the numerical significance of these micro-entrepreneurs instigates studies, so that the phenomenon is highlighted by Costa (2017), when he expresses that only in the city of Belém, capital of the State of Pará, there are more than 3 thousand scouts. Araújo (2017) complements by expressing that from an economic point of view, the açaí fruit is representative in the local, national and international scenario. T and, as a consequence, common deliverables for each object. Keywords: institutionalist theory, integrative review, handmade acai whisk.