Aurora Carneiro Zen

Intellectual capital, absorptive capacity and product innovation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of intellectual capital on a firm’s absorptive capacity (ACAP), and of ACAP on product innovation. The authors argue that intellectual capital and other sets of intangible assets are mobilized by firms through dynamic capabilities such as ACAP. Product innovation is one of the results of this process. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative study was conducted, including 500 firms of different sizes, industries and technological intensities located in southern Brazil. The validity of constructs and the theoretical model were confirmed by structural equation modeling. Findings The authors found that intellectual capital does influence ACAP, albeit differently on each of ACAP’s dimensions. Acquisition, assimilation and exploitation of knowledge are more decisively influenced by structural capital, followed by human capital. The ability of transformation of knowledge is evenly influenced by structural and human capital, and more moderately so by social capital. The results also showed that ACAP influences product innovation, but each of its dimensions demonstrated a different impact. Practical implications This study helps practitioners to identify the development of a firm’s intangible resources and its influences on product innovation. This characterization can serve as a benchmark for managers or private and public companies to define strategies and policies to stimulate innovation. Originality/value Few studies present a theoretical discussion about the relationship between a firm’s resources and ACAP’s dimensions in broad empirical contexts or in emerging countries.

The Impact of the Incubator on the Internationalization of Firms

This paper aims to examine how technology incubators contribute to the internationalization of incubated Brazilian companies. To do so, was developed a framework that, in addition to supporting research, can be used to provide a basis for studies of internationalization in small technology-based companies and incubators and to assist their managers. By comparing the factors identified as influencing internationalization and the actions and services provided by the technology incubators, an integrated model with four constructs (entrepreneurs; organizational characteristics; network; foreign market) was built. The results demonstrate that incubation positively affects the internationalization of companies and indicate the actions and services that contribute towards the internationalization, as also reveals aspects that could be improved.

Facilitadores e barreiras para o compartilhamento de conhecimento em cadeias de suprimentos

O compartilhamento do conhecimento constitui um processo que influencia o sucesso organizacional. Este trabalho analisou os fatores que facilitam ou dificultam o compartilhamento do conhecimento em um contexto de cadeia de suprimentos. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo qualitativo do tipo exploratorio, onde agentes da industria de maquinas e equipamentos do estado do Rio Grande do Sul foram entrevistados a respeito da percepcao das barreiras e facilitadores para o compartilhamento de conhecimento em sua cadeia. Como resultado, obteve-se um conjunto de facilitadores e outro de barreiras ao compartilhamento de conhecimento, assim como a relacao entre eles.

Innovative Entrepreneurship and Competitive Performance: The Prime/Brazil Case

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of a Support Program to Innovative Entrepreneurship on the competitive development of the supported companies. We carried out a study about the PRIME Program – First Innovative Company –, realized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil and its Studies and Projects Financing agency (FINEP), in partnership with Incubators, from the standpoint of the companies favored by the program, with a focus on competitive development and local development. Therefore, we decided to apply a qualitative study of multiple cases on the companies selected through RAIAR incubator, of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). The data analysis helped understand the impact of the program on the studied companies, as well as observe the indicators that were mostly influenced by the program. The results may contribute to the National Innovation Systems (SNI) and related public policies.

O Processo de Internacionalização e o Impacto nos Recursos da Firma: O Caso da Vinícola Casa Valduga

The aim of this article is to analyze the internationalization process and its impact in the company’s resources. A case study was developed for this purpose in a winery, the Casa Valduga, located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The main proposition of this research is that the internationalization process, besides influencing the development of new strategic resources, required for competing in the international market, also influences the company’s domestic strategy. The results of the study confirmed this proposition and indicated that the resources developed for the internationalization strategy positively influenced its competitiveness in the domestic market. The main impact of the internationalization efforts was on the human and organizational resources of the company. This study, besides expanding the still incipient empirical base of the internationalization process of Brazilian firms, contributes to broaden the analytical perspective on internationalization strategy by including the impact of the company’s internationalization resource base on the capacity to create competitive advantage in the local market as well. These results have important practical implication for managers in strategic decision making concerning the internationalization process.