Parcerias no processo de pesquisa, desenvolvimento e inovação na área de biotecnologia: o que realmente importa para o caso brasileiro?

Abstract

The establishment of partnerships/networks among organizations is a response to the changes and challenges of the market, since, from the interactions developed, it is possible to access external sources of information and complementarity of their competencies, knowledge and diverse resources. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the conception and development of partnerships between public and private organizations in the process of research, development and innovation in the biotechnology field in Brazil and to propose a framework that indicates how these organizations conceive and develop partnerships. For this, the study used mixed methods through a quantitative approach, which sought to build a network of partnerships among biotechnology institutions that culminated in the application for patent registration in co-ownership and, through a qualitative approach, which analyzed the perception of 17 patent inventors through semi-structured interviews. The results show a predominance of public universities in the co-proprietary patent application, as well as their higher density and centrality in the network, which demonstrates the academic predominance in biotechnology research, development and innovation (R&DI) in Brazil. The proposed framework was based on the variables identified in the literature and empirically, and it aims to fill a gap found in existing theories and frameworks on the conception and development of partnerships among biotechnology research, development and innovation organizations. The framework proposes a delineating to the organizations that tend to make partnerships because it shows the variables that have been most relevant for designing and developing relationships, aiming better performance and effectiveness in their joint activities. Regarding the conception category, the following variables were relevant: "Complementation/Dependence of resources"; "Technology and innovation"; "Reputation and status"; "Confidence"; "Affinity with the research/project theme; "Willingness to solve a problem"; "Feasible to both parties". In the development category, the following variables were relevant: "Formal structure"; "Dense loops"; "Power relations/Leadership"; "Collaboration/Cooperation"; "Sharing of knowledge"; "Conflicts/Problems"; "Communication and information flow"; "Legitimacy"; "Personal relationships" and; "Culture". The main results obtained with the partnerships already carried out are the registration of patents, the training of Human Resources and the publication of scientific articles. The results demonstrate that more actions are needed to stimulate and support partnerships, such as incentives to foster research and incentives for researchers in public universities to make their research applied in response to market demands. Greater integration between the public and private sectors is also needed from greater incentives in the realization of partnerships. In this sense, this study contributes to the strategic practices of R&DI organizations in the area of biotechnology in Brazil, according as they can help in understanding processes related to partnerships as a source of knowledge for innovation.