Paulo Bastos Tigre

Brazil in the Age of Electronic Commerce

E-commerce is growing rapidly in Brazil, led by information-intensive and transaction-intensive sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. However, Brazils highly uneven income distribution is a major barrier for B2C diffusion. Government policies have emphasized promotional or enabling initiatives such as e-procurement, tax filings, and providing Internet access to social institutions. E-commerce legislation is just now being developed, and decisions on taxation are being negotiated in the context of international agreements. E-commerce raises issues for Brazil in terms of its relationship to the global economy. Although most online purchases involve imported goods, e-commerce also offers opportunities to participate in international value chains.

Going beyond clones in Brazil and Korea: A comparative analysis of NIC strategies in the computer industry

Abstract By focusing on the concrete history of attempts by two major newly industrialized countries (NICs) — Brazil and Korea — to promote indigenous innovation in the computer industry, this paper explores the interaction of state structures and industrial organization in shaping developmental strategies. It is argued that Koreas initially stronger private sector and especially its cohesive state apparatus gave it substantial advantage, but that the changes in Brazilian industrial organization fostered by its informatics policy have increased the future potental of Brazils indigenous computer producers.

Economic Liberalization and the Computer Industry: Comparing Outcomes in Brazil and Mexico

Abstract Market liberalization has been carried out by many developing countries in the hopes of stimulating trade, investment and technology transfer. In order to analyze the impacts of liberalization on a specific industry sector, this paper compares the experiences of Brazil and Mexico in liberalizing the computer industry in the 1990s. The authors conclude that liberalization leads to lower prices and more rapid diffusion of computer use throughout the economy, but at a cost to domestic computer firms who were harmed by foreign competition. Both countries saw an increase in computer production, but Mexicos production was mainly for export to the United States, while Brazil was producing for the domestic market. The differences between outcomes in the two countries have been determined more by environmental factors than by the nature and pace of liberalization.

E-commerce in Brazil: Local Adaptation of a Global Technology

Brazil presents an interesting case study of local factors influencing the adoption and impacts of e-commerce. It is a large developing country in which some segments of the economy are technologically sophisticated while others are quite backward. Based on existing knowledge of Brazil’s economic and policy environment and its experience with other information technologies, we develop three themes that encompass a priori expectations about the diffusion and impacts of e-commerce. First is the expected leadership of the financial sector, driven by strong IT capabilities and a historical orientation toward automation. Next is the leadership of large firms in adopting e-commerce, driven by economies of scale and scope that enhance the perceived benefits of adoption. Third is the relative importance of local versus global forces in driving e-commerce diffusion. Unlike other countries in which globalization is a driver of e-commerce diffusion, Brazil’s relatively low international integration of the manufacturing industry, its large size, and its historical inward orientation are expected to reduce the role of global factors as e-business drivers. We analyse results from a ten-country survey of 2,100 firms, including 200 in Brazil, to examine these propositions in the light of empirical evidence. We find support for each of the themes. In addition we find that the lack of an adequate legal and regulatory environment to support e-commerce has been an important barrier to adoption.

Knowledge cities: a taxonomy for analyzing software and information service clusters

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as “knowledge cities” because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.

Apropriação tecnológica na economia do conhecimento: inovação e propriedade intelectual de software na América Latina

Technology appropriation in knowledge economy: innovation and intellectual property in Latin American software industry Intellectual property rights aim at providing incentives for innovation, but can also constitute a burden for technological diffusion. This article discusses the conflicts arising from software patent protection, an area in which the assets are intangible and replicable at almost no cost. Current practices of intellectual property (IP) protection in Latin America are discussed based on their efficiency in stimulating information technologies innovation and diffusion. The methodology adopted includes the analysis of regional software industry development, firms? strategies to protect IP, legislation and the examination of software patents submission at the Brazilian IP Office (INPI). It concludes that harmonizing conflicting interests among existing and new business models and international agreements is a major task that goes beyond pure technical considerations.

Cidades do Conhecimento: Uma Taxonomia para Analisar Clusters de Software e Serviços

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as “knowledge cities” because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.

Windows of opportunities and technological innovation in the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry

The Brazilian pharmaceutical industry is heavily dependent on external sources of inputs, capital, and technology. However, the emergence of technological opportunities and the development of biotechnology and the decline of the patent boom and resulting advances by generic drugs have opened windows of opportunities for the local industry. The article examines the Brazilian industrys innovative behavior vis-à-vis these opportunities, showing that although the industry as a whole invests little in innovation, a few large Brazilian companies have expanded their market share and stepped up their investments in research and development, supported by public policies for innovation. Resumo: A indústria farmacêutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependência de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnológicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanço dos medicamentos genéricos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a indústria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da indústria brasileira à luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da indústria mantenha baixos níveis de investimentos em inovação, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participação no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por políticas públicas de inovação.A industria farmaceutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependencia de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnologicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanco dos medicamentos genericos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a industria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da industria brasileira a luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da industria mantenha baixos niveis de investimentos em inovacao, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participacao no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por politicas publicas de inovacao.

Janelas de oportunidades e inovação tecnológica na indústria brasileira de medicamentos

The Brazilian pharmaceutical industry is heavily dependent on external sources of inputs, capital, and technology. However, the emergence of technological opportunities and the development of biotechnology and the decline of the patent boom and resulting advances by generic drugs have opened windows of opportunities for the local industry. The article examines the Brazilian industrys innovative behavior vis-à-vis these opportunities, showing that although the industry as a whole invests little in innovation, a few large Brazilian companies have expanded their market share and stepped up their investments in research and development, supported by public policies for innovation. Resumo: A indústria farmacêutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependência de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnológicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanço dos medicamentos genéricos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a indústria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da indústria brasileira à luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da indústria mantenha baixos níveis de investimentos em inovação, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participação no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por políticas públicas de inovação.A industria farmaceutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependencia de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnologicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanco dos medicamentos genericos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a industria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da industria brasileira a luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da industria mantenha baixos niveis de investimentos em inovacao, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participacao no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por politicas publicas de inovacao.

Ventanas de oportunidades e innovación tecnológica en la industria brasileña de medicamentos

The Brazilian pharmaceutical industry is heavily dependent on external sources of inputs, capital, and technology. However, the emergence of technological opportunities and the development of biotechnology and the decline of the patent boom and resulting advances by generic drugs have opened windows of opportunities for the local industry. The article examines the Brazilian industrys innovative behavior vis-à-vis these opportunities, showing that although the industry as a whole invests little in innovation, a few large Brazilian companies have expanded their market share and stepped up their investments in research and development, supported by public policies for innovation. Resumo: A indústria farmacêutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependência de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnológicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanço dos medicamentos genéricos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a indústria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da indústria brasileira à luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da indústria mantenha baixos níveis de investimentos em inovação, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participação no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por políticas públicas de inovação.A industria farmaceutica brasileira caracteriza-se pela grande dependencia de fontes externas de insumos, capital e tecnologia. O surgimento de oportunidades tecnologicas, associadas ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e ao fim do boom das patentes com o consequente avanco dos medicamentos genericos, entretanto, vem abrindo janelas de oportunidades para a industria local. Este artigo examina o comportamento inovador da industria brasileira a luz dessas oportunidades, revelando que, embora o conjunto da industria mantenha baixos niveis de investimentos em inovacao, um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas nacionais vem ampliando sua participacao no mercado e intensificando seus investimentos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento, apoiados por politicas publicas de inovacao.