Estrategias de crecimiento de los conglomerados: un estudio de cuatro grandes grupos ecuatorianos

Abstract

This work aims to identify growth strategies implemented by economic groups in Ecuador during the period 2007-2016. For their understanding, theoretical approximations were made on the constructs economic group, growth strategies, path dependence and environmental mutations. As part of the methodology, a qualitative approach, an interpretive paradigm and a longitudinal historical perspective were used. Likewise, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers of the analyzed organizations. As a result, it was possible to determine that within the strategies applied by these groups there is an orientation towards the concentration of their businesses, being specialization the most implemented strategy. This allowed to conclude that specialization was the most applied growth strategy given the economic conditions of stability in the country, and that, opposite to what theorists of disorganized capitalism state, economic groups are still in force in Ecuador, with no loss of hegemonic power by the ruling families of such groups.