Varig case: the downfall of a Brazilian icon

Purpose: This article aims to examine the reasons of strategic nature that led Varig, the traditional 80 year-old Brazilian flag carrier, to a decadence process, which, in 2006, put a doubt over the continuity of its operations. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish to this purpose the case stu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Emboaba Moreira, Mauricio, Guimaraes Ferrer, Celso Jr
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2099/12282
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2099/12282
https://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jairm.6
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:VARIG (Airline)
Airlines--Brazil
Línies aèries -- Brasil
Aviació comercial -- Brasil
VARIG
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Infraestructures i modelització dels transports::Infraestructures i transport aeri
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Aspectes econòmics
Descripción
Sumario:Purpose: This article aims to examine the reasons of strategic nature that led Varig, the traditional 80 year-old Brazilian flag carrier, to a decadence process, which, in 2006, put a doubt over the continuity of its operations. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish to this purpose the case study investigative methodology was applied and official sources were consulted, such as annual reports, previous studies and electronic documents at Civil Aviation Department. In parallel, direct observation was also used, which was possible because at the time the authors were executives of GOL, which was another Brazilian airline. Findings: The main reasons identified were the environmental change occurred in the international and domestic scenarios, increasing sector competition; the peculiarities of its corporate governance; and the internal contradictions and its lack of capability to react to environmental changes. Originality/value: No other studies covering the decadence and the last days of Varig had been written before and the fulfillment of this gap may be useful to understand why and how apparently invulnerable traditional and prestigious airlines can perish.