Empreendedorismo e extensão: uma análise do programa IF Mais Empreendedor 2021

Abstract

The IF Mais Empreendedor Program 2021 is an extension program created by the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Southern Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS), which was carried out with the support of the Scientific and Technological Education Secretariat (SETEC) of the Ministry of Education (MEC). It involved 39 institutions from the Federal Education Network of Brazil, serving a total of 1025 micro and small enterprises in the country. This study aimed to identify and analyze the main thematic factors present in the Program's report with the intention of contributing to the evaluation of extension programs that develop entrepreneurship activities in micro and small businesses. It is a qualitative and empirical research that used the case study as a methodological procedure and was conducted in a cross-sectional manner, admitting for analysis a sample of Final Reports prepared by the teams that participated in this Program. The analysis of these reports showed that numerous actions were developed by the teams responsible for the projects with the participating Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), aiming to support them in remaining competitive in the market. The identified analysis factors were: communication, management, physical arrangement and logistics, and information technology. Thus, this study enables affirming that when evaluating an extension program involving entrepreneurship activities in MSEs, it is possible to consider, in the scope of the communication developed by these companies, actions such as social media marketing, creation of professional profiles, and the use of apps for online sales and customer interaction. Regarding management, it is possible to evaluate the qualification of employees and entrepreneurs themselves, selection processes, implementation of financial and budgetary control, working capital, establishment of partnerships, and relationship with suppliers. Concerning physical arrangements and logistics, it is possible to evaluate the organization and control of the enterprises' inventories, planning and management of logistics-related costs, improvements, and adaptations in the company's physical facilities. Regarding information technology, it is possible to assess the implementation and use of systems that assist in the necessary controls in MSEs, business management, innovation of products and services, and expansion of organizational boundaries. These factors enable understanding, both by the team responsible for the extension program and by micro and small entrepreneurs, of elements inherent in the permanence of MSEs in the competitive market and in constant transformations. Furthermore, this study allowed learning about the participation of students in this type of program in an integration of educational institutions with communities, aiming to find solutions to local reality problems. It can be affirmed that, in addition to expanding their studies on entrepreneurship, students were able to develop skills such as teamwork, planning actions, and developing a sense of responsibility and commitment necessary in personal and professional life.