A construção social da inovação : uma análise a partir das relações entre universidade, indústria e governo na microrregião de Santa Cruz do Sul.

Abstract

The emphasis on a theoretical perspective that places the University as a strategic agent in innovation systems is linked to the cultural meaning that universities have a historical context in which science and technology are becoming increasingly important in dynamics of development. From this assumption, the present doctoral thesis presents an analysis of interactions between universities, companies and government and conditionalities of the dynamics involved in the production and dissemination of innovations in Rio Grande do Sul region, the micro-region of Santa Cruz do Sul. The analysis sought to support a theoretical and methodological approach which shows the historicity of social dynamics, but also to the contradictions that are inherent in social relations. This theoretical-methodological approach was important for the perception of historical contingency of the actions of social actors because, although not occur in a completely autonomous way, they can not be framed in any structural conditioning nor analyzed from a normative expectation. From the point of view of data collection methodology involved in conducting research thesis realized on the one hand, the collection of secondary data, and secondly, applying a search form with a sample of industries located in the micro-region of Santa Cruz do Sul and conducting semi-structured interviews with business and political leaders of that region, as well as teachers, researchers and managers at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC). The methodology used consisted of a qualitative research, conducted through a survey of secondary data, the application of a search form with a sample of industries located in the micro-region of Santa Cruz do Sul and conducting semi-structured interviews with business and polical leaders in that region, as well as teachers, researchers and managers at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC). From the research, it was observed that companies in the surveyed area remain relatively far from innovation dynamics if they are approached from a perspective that affirms the importance of relations between companies, universities and governments, as advocated, for example, by the theory of the triple helix. This does not mean, however, that companies do not have concerns about innovation and the development of strategies for inovation, acquisition and diffusion of innovations, but these strategies are defined (and redefined) from several economic, social and cultural conditions, including the use of the possibilities visualized in relations with and inside the market. From the government, the analysis identified the recent increase of the actions developed, both nationally and at the state level, a policy statement of perspective not only government, but also state, involving the participation of companies and educational institutions and research (universities); in this direction, even in the region researched and considering the University investigated, government policies have a significant importance, particularly regarding to financing projects. In relation to the University, the historically contextualized analysis leads to the importance of UNISC in the micro-region of Santa Cruz do Sul, not only as a higher education institution, serving, since its inception, to regional needs in terms of university education, but also the development of a culture of research and use of scientific knowledge in dynamic aimed at the generation, acquisition and dissemination of innovations. Despite the limitations of a university experience that, even if it is public, subject to payment of mensalities from their students to develop their teaching, research and extension, it is observed in UNISC a collective and institutional effort aimed at developing scientific research and development projects that contribute to the development in the regions of its scope. In this effort, which is historical and not free of contradictions, the construction of a science and technology park embodies not only the actions of the University, but, above all, the possible interactions between companies, university and government, a development perspective in Microregion of Santa Cruz do Sul as an area of production and dissemination of scientific knowledge, technology and innovation, oriented to enhance dynamic development that can be exploited by different sectors of the regional society, including by companies.