Núcleo de inovação tecnológica: transferência de tecnologia e desenvolvimento para o Maranhão?

Abstract

This paper discusses the situation of the Technological Innovation Centers (NIT) in Maranhão and the possibility of them being instruments in bringing about changes in Innovation and Applied Research environment, and, as such, able to contribute to the development of Maranhão. A Political history, and a history of the Brazilian Innovation System is presented here, indicating the Innovation Law of 2004 as a breaking point and the beginning of the organization of the ecosystem of Science, Technology and Innovation (CT&I) in Brazil. This law regulated the activities of the Science and Technology Institutions (ICT) in applied research projects, presenting partnership opportunities in research and the sharing of laboratories with public and private organizations, as well as enabling business subsidies and economic grants for Research, Development and Innovation projects (PD&I). The legal norm quoted created the NIT to operationalize within the ICTs the changes necessary for the proper fulfilment of its mandate, implementing actions to systematize and standardize ICTs in concerning Intellectual Property (PI) and Technology Transfer (TT). Before reaching this point, this paper describes the history of the relationship between innovation and development, based on Schumpeter’s economic development theory, addressing the possibility of prosperity for developing countries facing a scenario of such unfavourable competition. Criticisms of economic reductionism and the centrality of technical progress are presented. Finally, innovation in the environments of Maranhão and Brazil is discussed, and it is suggested that the asymmetries are reproduced in the local and national.