Ambiente de inovação em empresas reconhecidamente inovadoras: um estudo numa empresa do Nordeste

Abstract

In the field of management, innovation is considered a central factor for competitiveness and longevity. In this sense, it is fundamental to identify how favorable the environment for innovation is, for attaining the success of a company. This research presents the characterization of the environment for innovation in a company named here as "Alpha", winner of the National Innovation Award (Prêmio Nacional da Inovação) for two consecutive terms, using as a conceptual basis a version of the Minnesota Innovation Survey (MIS), originally proposed by Van de Ven, Angle and Poole (2000), as part of the Minnesota Innovation Research Program (MIRP), based on five key concepts: ideas, people, transactions, context and results. The research was carried out in two stages: first, a quanti-qualitative identification of the innovation environment was performed, using an adapted questionnaire/survey that consisted of 45 questions using a 1-to-5 point Likert scale, grouped into 21 dimensions, which analyzed the internal environment, external environment and results, together with document analysis and an interview with the Manager of the company responsible for conducting the innovation program; second, an analytical comparison was performed, with information obtained from the company and from other studies carried out in innovative Brazilian companies that used the MIS as a framework. Finally, 16 dimensions were identified as having received higher scores regarding the innovation environment at company Alpha, according to the innovation team. The importance of these dimensions is confirmed with other studies in innovative Brazilian companies. Only 2 of these dimensions were neither significant nor favorable to the innovative performance according to most studies. For future research, it is suggested to carry out a survey involving innovative companies at the national level, aiming to provide a benchmark.