The impact of social capital in the formation and evolution process in the Association of Universities Grupo Montevideo (AUGM)

Abstract

This paper brings the process of formation and evolution of an international network organization, the  Association of Universities Grupo Montevideo (AUGM), from the perspective of social capital. The importance of this study is justified both by the rarity in the Latin American context and by the fact that analyses the organizational performance from a sociological perspective of capital. Under an interpretive epistemological concept, it was developed a qualitative approach with case study method and techniques of focused interviews and analysis of social networks with UCINET software. It was observed that, through the network interaction, it could be established standards and expectations for the development of activities, with interpretations and information shared by appropriate canals. Thus, due to a set of intangible assets developed based on interpersonal relationships maintained in the organizational network, the AUGM was institutionalized at universities members and in the international environment.