The utilization by organizations in Brazil of managerial technology originated from developed countries can be seen by two perspectives: by the angle of local firms, which adopt foreign administrative models due to pressures of a new competitive context, and by the angle of foreign newcomers, which bring such practices directly from their countries of origin. In both cases, the import of foreign models appears to be troublesome. The objective of this article is, firstly, to discuss why such import occurs; secondly, to show how local characteristics prevent its implementation as planned; and, thirdly, to propose and to illustrate an "anthropophagic ethod" which can be used when importing foreign managerial technology into emerging countries.
anthropophagy; emerging countries; import of managerial technology; management fads; organizational change