This study evaluates the characteristics of technological innovation from the
assumption that this phenomenon is part of a process composed of different modes of
production of technical and scientific knowledge. In order to do this, we will also
examine a number of other activities made within the firm, some of them closely
related to the diffusion of technology, besides the "traditional" research and
development (R&D). Hence, the article focuses on the discussion of innovation in
Low and Medium-low technology (BeMB) industries. For the examination of the
characteristics of innovative activities, we confront the industries of some
countries using data from the Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica (PINTEC, 2010PINTEC. (2010). Pesquisa de Inovação Tecnológica.
Disponível em: <http://www.pintec.ibge.gov.br/>. Acesso em: 17 jul.
2012.
http://www.pintec.ibge.gov.br/...
) and the Community Innovation Survey (CIS,2009CIS. (2009). Community Innovation Survey, Disponível em:
<http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home> (versão
revisada). Acesso em: 17 jul. 2012.
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/...
) for Brazilian companies and countries
of the European Union, respectively. The findings indicate that there are significant
differences in the characteristics of innovation in different countries and
industries; and suggest important structural and institutional factors as
determinants of technological activities.
innovative activity; technological diffusion; low and medium-low technology industries