As fontes de inovação no aglomerado produtivo de eletroeletrônicos de Santa Rita do Sapucaí (MG)

Abstract

Considering the relevance of manufacturing aglomerates in the economic development of specific geographic areas and its interactions with the innovation potential of the companies in the region, this study aimed at analyzing the pertinence of different aspects of information sources for innovation in the Manufacturing Cluster of Santa Rita do Sapucaí and if such information is derived from external connections or local knowledge. In this regard, a bibliographic revision has been created containing the most relevant concepts and characteristics of the production conglomerates and innovation, being more deeply explored the concepts of global connections and local knowledge in the Manufacturing Clusters and information sources for innovation. The research uses a quantitative approach through an electronic survey built to collect the information through a non-probability sampling of 33 companies in the cluster. The research data has been analyzed through descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation. The results indicate that the Production Cluster is primarily made of small companies focused on trading their products in the national market, displaying a significant value of foreigner suppliers. Regarding innovation, the businesses in the cluster exhibited a high innovation rate (75.76%), double of the national average, highlighting the fact that such innovations in the cluster also affect the revenue more than the national average. The five information sources rated as most important by the companies are: customers and suppliers; research and development departments; computerized information network/internet; competitors; and other company areas. The geographic distribution of the sources unveil balance between the cluster (46%) and Brazil (43%), with foreign origins (11%) in a lower range. Therefore, the study concluded that taking into account only the local knowledge and the global connections, the innovations arise in larger numbers from the local knowledge, emphasizing that despite it being more relevant in the innovation process, the global connections also contribute to the innovation and do play an important role in increasing competitivity.