The drivers of Brazilian contractors' competitiveness in the international market

The construction sector is very important to the economic development of Brazil. The output of the sector makes up 15.5% of Brazilian GDP representing a huge potential to solve infrastructure and housing bottlenecks in the country. Brazilian contractors have expertise and access to a skilled, mobile and low wage workforce, yet they have a low presence in the international market. Thus a closer investigation is needed into the factors of competitiveness of Brazilian international contractors, seeking to answer the question: 'What are the drivers and issues of Brazilian contractors' international competitiveness?' The research follows a phenomenological paradigm, using a qualitative approach. Case studies were conducted with 10 large Brazilian contractors. The analysis followed a pattern-matching strategy, with Porter's Diamond as the framework for analysis. A model was created based initially on Porter's Diamond framework but following the Double Diamond approach after the case study results. It aims to gain a better understanding of the drivers of Brazilian contractors' international competitiveness. The model was validated, proving to be realistic and a way of helping to identify the net of influences on Brazilian contractors' international operations. The research shows that contractors have many advantages, such as expertise, attitude to risk and ability to maintain interpersonal relationships (which are connected to the Brazilian culture), and the exchange rates of the Brazilian currency (that make contracts cheap to international clients). However, the few disadvantages may be responsible for the low number of Brazilian contractors operating overseas. Yet, even in the face of disadvantages as strong as lack of financing, and insufficient financial strength, it appears that some contractors manage to be successful maximising their competitive advantages.