Considering that electricity is essential to modern society, this article analyzes the formation and organization of the Brazilian electricity sector, from its beginning in this country until the end of 2002. The study is based on a linear description of historical facts, with emphasis on crucial events, which were detailed and analyzed, showing the main social players, their interest and influences in these events. It used qualitative methodology and references by the institutional theory, based on the configuration of the organizational field. It also analyzed documents and carried out semi-structured in-depth interviews with directors who took part of the sector's history. Finally, it shows how the external environment is the main influence on the sector's development, especially on the decision to invest or not in it.
electric sector; organizational field; institutional theory; power; organizational environment
