A Força Aérea Brasileira e as aquisições para operações de contingência

The research investigates the main difficulties and causes related to the acquisition procedures adopted by the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) to tackle contingency operations during peacetime. Although not covered by the war mobilisation doctrine, those operations involve significant consumption of resources and exert a great impact on the image and reputation of the organisation. The qualitative research was conducted in such a way that a causal map, associating main problems and causes, was developed from the findings emerged from semi-structure interviews and secondary sources. As a conceptual framework, it was subsequently validated by comparison with theories about contingencies and related subjects. The research revealed the following aspects as the main issues of contingency acquisitions to be addressed by the BAF: the influence of a dominant culture in the country, dismissive about contingencies; the short experience in large contingency events; an administrative culture excessively focused on control; the lack of commitment to knowledge management at the executive and management levels and a limited approach of supply chain management and supply chain risks.