Sistema regional de inovação: uma análise da comunicação entre os atores

Abstract

The phenomenon of globalization is a contemporary and a driving force of development. In an attempt to leverage development, different solutions and arrangements that promote increased competitiveness through innovation and thus promote the sustainability of a region, whether by economic, social or environmental aspects, are discussed. In this scenario of expanding productivity and competitiveness, the innovative bias is linked to the development of the regional economy. Which, itself, can be articulated in a network, through the integration and interaction of companies, universities, government, innovation habitats, funding agencies, and public or private support institutions, resulting in the constitution of a Regional Innovation System (RIS). The good performance of this network of RIS actors depends on several different variables. In this research, we specially highlight the impact of the communication processes involved across the RIS. A bibliographic survey revealed a lack of studies on the communicational interactions between actors of this regional system. From these assumptions, this study aims to investigate the elements of communication in the relations between the actors of the RIS. As strategic objectives, this research seeks to contribute as support for the definition of intra-organizational communication practices; to produce subsidies for the development of a communication model for the RIS; to collaborate in the elaboration of public policies aimed at communication in the studied system; to share information for the construction of joint agendas at RIS Curitiba and its metropolitan region (CMR). For such, the development of this work is structured in the limit of the formal and informal communicational processes between the representatives of the group of actors present and involved in the RIS of Curitiba, the capital of Paraná, one of Brazil’s southern states, and CMR. This research is of applied nature with an exploratory and descriptive approach with experimental sampling composed of private and public institutions. The latter with representations of the municipal and state spheres. The main results present a system with low resource scarcity, indicating a high innovative potential in the Cooke region (2001). However, the absence of initiatives that encourage a culture of collaboration creates difficulties in establishing coordination across the RIS, a problem strongly felt by the actors. Data indicate that agent interaction occurs in informal networks with face-to- face contacts and heavy use of instant text messaging via WhatsApp application for information exchange. It was observed that positive individual characteristics such as trust and empathy, combined with institutional practices aimed at the common interest of the system, enhance communication between actors. On the other hand, negative behavioral traits, excessive bureaucracy, and disarticulation of objectives in institutions represent barriers to the communicational processes.