New Directions in Brazil's Innovation System: Lessons for the Global Economy?
On Wednesday, May 16th, the Brazil Institute hosted a discussion with Public Policy Scholar Dr. Ted Hewitt to discuss innovation in Brazil.
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Overview
Brazil’s innovation system—the triple helix of government, university and industry R&D capacity—and its role in promoting acknowledged national successes in the high technology sector (most notably in alternative energy, aerospace, and agricultural biotechnology) has been the object of considerable discussion over the years, with opinions varying greatly on its overall efficacy with respect to return on investment. What has been subject to much less scrutiny is the “internal” innovation system that has been quietly emerging wholly within the corporate sector as a response to the perceived failures of the Brazilian model, in terms of its objectives, structure, and ultimate impact.
The proposed research focuses squarely on this element of the innovation puzzle through an examination of the development of Brazil’s unique next-generation “corporate universities”. Using the Companhia Vale do Rio Doce’s graduate-level Instituto Tecnológico as the primary case study, the research identifies strengths and weaknesses of the model and its potential impact on the future of corporate training and R&D strategies within conventional innovation systems worldwide.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Vermin Inc.
Speaker
W.E. (Ted) Hewitt
Professor of Sociology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada
Hosted By
Brazil Institute
The Brazil Institute—the only country-specific policy institution focused on Brazil in Washington—aims to deepen understanding of Brazil’s complex landscape and strengthen relations between Brazilian and U.S. institutions across all sectors. Our mission is to provide thoughtful leadership and innovative ideas to help democracies evolve and enhance their capacity to deliver results. We achieve this by producing independent research and programs that bridge the gap between scholarship and policy, while serving as a hub for policymakers, scholars, and private sector leaders. Read more
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