Renata Lèbre La Rovere

IT diffusion in small and medium-sized enterprises: elements for policy definition

Abstract The aim of this paper is to discuss the main elements that define an information technology (IT) diffusion policy for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and to discuss the relevance of this policy for developing countries. The paper will review how innovation and regional development studies confer on SMEs an important role in economic development. Furthermore, it presents a discussion on the present supply and demand oriented IT diffusion policies in developed countries, that reveals the challenges for policy definition. In conclusion, the main elements that define an IT policy for SMEs will be highlighted, and lessons for developing countries will be discussed.

Diffusion of information technologies and changes in the telecommunications sector: The case of Brazilian small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises

Brazil’s telecommunications sector has been going through a process of privatization that will change conditions for information technologies (IT) diffusion among Brazilian firms. The impacts of privatization will be especially important to Brazilian firms that are still in the early stages of IT diffusion, such as small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of this paper is to discuss the impacts of privatization of telecommunications on IT diffusion among Brazilian SMEs. The paper will first analyze the factors that stimulate SMEs to adopt IT, such as the positive impacts on competitiveness. The paper will then describe how the changes that are taking place in the telecommunications sector can influence IT diffusion. In the third section, the paper will consider the case of Brazil, discussing the specificities of IT diffusion in SMEs from developing countries. As a conclusion the paper will discuss how policy measures can be taken so that Brazilian SMEs can benefit from the changes in the telecommunications sector.

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.

Outsourcing and Diffusion of Knowledge in ICT Clusters: A Case Study

The present scenario of globalization and rapid technology change has stimulated enterprises to build partnerships in research and development (R&D) activities. The development of R&D networks involves not only enterprises but also institutions such as federal scientific support agencies, universities and research centers. When these networks are located geographically in a region, they benefit from externalities related to proximity by forming clusters. The literature on proximity-related positive externalities enhances the role that partnerships occurring in clusters have in the diffusion of codified and tacit knowledge. In the particular case of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry, the development of clusters has been complemented and sometimes superseded by another activity associated with globalization: the outsourcing of ICT activities, especially in the area of software development. In Brazil, software clusters have been attracting large enterprises such as Motorola, IBM, HP, and Dell. However, although these enterprises may provide positive externalities through the diffusion of knowledge, their pressure on the local labor market may cause problems for local firms. This paper will discuss the way in which enterprises in the software sector deal with challenges related to the diffusion of knowledge in ICT clusters, using as an illustrative example the case of a software cluster located in Brazil. This cluster was originally created in the 1990s in Recife, in the north-east of Brazil, and has generated several positive impacts on local economic development. However, the growth of the cluster faces some challenges related to outsourcing and funding of local R&D. The discussion of this case study is based on in-depth (semi-structured and narrative) interviews carried out by the authors in 2007.

Redes de empresas e cooperação na formação do condomínio Tech Town

This paper presents a case study with the objective of understanding the cooperative relationship between the enterprise networks in the Tech Town Condominium, located in the municipality of Hortolândia, which belongs to metropolitan region of Campinas, Brazil. This study focuses on the main challenges and opportunities for the development of a major software producer and services provider center based on the global network concept. The results point to the fact that although the condominium was created with the goal to form a technopole, its enterprises are part of global networks and do not effectively contribute to learning and innovation processes of local enterprises.

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.

Growth in ICT uptake in developing countries: new users, new uses, new challenges

Over the last 15 years there has been significant increase in the availability of ICTs in developing countries. Indicatively, it is estimated that fixed wired broadband internet subscriptions have increased from 71m to 357m between 2005 and 2013 (ITU, 2013). Most striking is the rapid uptake in mobile telephones. Mobile phone subscriptions in developing nations have increased from 1213m to 5235m between 2005 and 2013 while active mobile broadband subscription has increased rapidly from 43m to 1162m between 2007 and 2013 (ibid).

Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation in Brazil: Key Policy Issues

Recent research on entrepreneurship and venture creation suggests that there are several elements that frame the entrepreneurial ecosystem which may influence the decision to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The aim of this chapter is to present the results on Brazil of a research project whose main purpose is to identify the main elements of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the BRIC countries. We first made a survey among ICT entrepreneurs concerning their perceptions on the relative importance of key elements of the entrepreneurial ecosystem that are: individual and personal characteristics; socio-cultural context; Government programs and policies; access to finance; access to information, opportunities for knowledge and skill building and exposure to global markets. We then made the same survey among non-ICT and non-entrepreneurs, to assess the specificities of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurs such as those in the ICT sector. We combined these quantitative surveys with a qualitative research where we interviewed entrepreneurs and policy-makers engaged in entrepreneurial support. Based on these results we propose some key policy issues to support entrepreneurship in Brazil.

Introduction: Entrepreneurship as a Learning Process and Insights from the BRICS

Capitalism in the twenty-first century is passing through changes that enhance the importance of entrepreneurship and learning processes. This chapter explains how this book was organized as a result of recent discussions on entrepreneurship and learning made by a group of researchers that study Brazil, Russia, India and China. The organizers hope that this book will contribute to increase understanding of entrepreneurial activities in the BRICS and provide lessons for other emerging countries.

Ciudades del conocimiento: una taxonomía para analizar cluster de software y sevicios

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.