Transferência de conhecimento entre a universidade e a indústria: serviços de informação para empresas de pólos tecnológicos

Abstract

This is an exploratory study of the process of innovation and the transfer of technology (TI) between the university and scientific and technological parks (PCTs), incubators of business firms (IEs), with the principal object of identifying and analyzing the role of library services the role of library services, information units (SBUl), as well as facilitating canals for the flow of information in the context of innovation. The central question treated in the thesis is the lack of the inclusion of the library as a unit for information in the debates regarding innovation and the transfer of technology as channels for the transfer of knowledge between the two sectors. The research was elaborated on the basis of four methodological approaches: (i) grounded theory as a theoretic guide to investigation; (ii) survey procedure with the managers of PCTslIEs; (iii) as a case study in the area of business firms: (iv) an interview with specialists. The theoretic base was elaborated more from holistic conception for the transference of technology than the transfer of knowJedge. The fieldwork was carried out on the basis of a semi-structured questionnaire followed by interviews that were made with specialists in this (1) àrea business managers, (ii) business firms in the area and business incubators situated in the area, (iii) specialists in this area. The revised literature suggests the absence of an indication of SBUI as a relevant element in the services infrastructure required by innovation and TT. The investigation reveals that not only the technological areas or parks but also Brazilian business incubators are not characterized because the have in their midst business firms with R&D activities (from a technological base), but principally work with product innovations and process based on technologies already developed in other areas (firms based on new technologies) and there is a lack of a more structured planning in the business firms that stifles the development of projects of R&D. The data suggests that the basic motives for this are: (i) the little use made of EBNTs in laboratories and university libraries, as the cause for no demand and inexistence of information services in the PCTslIEs; (ii) the lack of formal connections with universities; (iii) the difficulty that business ÍInnS have regarding information as an element of their productive activities and to explain their problems in terms of information problems; (iv) the fact that information is on1y sought only at the moment when a problem appears; (v) the small demand for library services in general, and especiaIly those of university libraries. On the other hand, the research identifies a contradiction among the data collected: (i) the expressed interest among most of those interviewed on being able to count on the specialized service of ICTE; (ii) the business firms felt that they were capable of a satisfactory development exclusively with the know-how of their staff and with the logistic infrastructure of the PCTs/IEs. In the research on updating, however, there was an indication that information systems in business areas and business incubators were valued as a strategic resource for innovation activities. Finally, the study suggested the necessity of (i) additional research to analyze academic sectors that have greater potential for projects of R&D with those of PCTslIEs; (ii) the creation of a model of an information system that offers strategic information service to the business firms of PCTslIEs; and (iii) the introduction.