The subject of this thesis is entrepreneurship policy and the focus is on public support programmes directed to early stages technology-based ventures. It advocates that a broad view should be taken with regard to the type of policies for entrepreneurship that aim at supporting the facilitation of the supported ventures’ ability to link to their surrounding innovation system, in which they can secure their access to crucial external resources. Taking the departure in the perspective that early stages technology-based ventures are vulnerable, this thesis shows that publicly financed entrepreneurship supporting programmes can be motivated because small and newly started ventures have got limited resources, and because the risks, with which they are associated, generally make them unattractive in the eyes of private actors. Among the practical implications of this thesis, the following findings are emphasised: Public support, directed to the very earliest stages of venture development benefits from broadness, for the latter stages, specialisation and a higher degree of selectiveness could be an advantage. Moreover, it is important that the support provided take into account the whole process of business development, i.e. both the issues concerned with product/service and the issues connected to the market. A long-term commitment, cooperation between different actors and information about what support is available, are other aspects that are important for policymakers to consider in their design of public policies to support entrepreneurship. Finally, the importance of evaluative awareness must be emphasised from the very start. / Den här avhandlingen är en sammanläggning av 7 studier kring vilka en kappa med titeln ”Entreprenörskapspolicy: offentligt stöd för teknikbaserade företag” har skrivits. De inkluderade studierna beskrivs kortfattat i slutet av den här sammanfattningen. Syftet med avhandlingen är att analysera skälen till varför statliga interventioner kan vara berättigade, vidare att analysera målsättningar, design och resultat av offentliga program för stöd av nya teknikbaserade företag/projekt och slutligen att identifiera såväl praktiska som forskningsintressanta implikationer för utformningen av framtida stödaktiviteter. Avhandlingen baseras till största delen på olika typer av kvantitativa analyser av Stiftelsen Innovationscentrum (SIC) (studie 2-6). Förutom detta ingår en konceptuell studie där ett ramverk för att utvärdera inkubatorer, främst ur ett ”best practice” perspektiv, har tagits fram (studie 1). Slutligen har jag inkluderat en pågående uppföljningsstudie av Vinnovas program Vinn Nu (studie 7). Avhandlingen förespråkar en bred syn på begreppet entreprenörskapspolicy, där syftet med stödet är att underlätta för företag/projekt att koppla upp sig mot relevanta innovationssystem där de kan säkra sin tillgång på externa resurser. Med utgångspunkt i ett sårbarhetsperspektiv visar avhandlingen att offentligt finansierade program som stödjer entreprenörskap kan motiveras genom att de små och nystartade företagens resurser är begränsade och eftersom riskerna ofta gör att intresset från privata aktörer att gå in i dessa företag är lågt. Avhandlingens praktiska implikationer är bland annat att det stöd som riktas till de allra tidigaste utvecklingsfaserna i syfte att kvalificera idéer bör vara brett. Däremot kan ett mer selektivt urval vara fördelaktigt i något senare utvecklingsskeden och för mer specialiserade stöd. Vidare visar de inkluderade studierna på behovet av att se till hela företagets utvecklingsprocess. Det innebär bland annat att det är nödvändigt att kombinera hårt och mjukt stöd och att lika vikt läggs vid produkt- och marknadsutveckling. Offentligt stöd bör också vara långsiktigt, och samarbete mellan olika stödprogram är viktigt, inte minst med avseende på information om vilka stöd som finns och hur, var, när och av vem dessa kan sökas. Slutligen understryks vikten av att stödprogram redan från början bör ta hänsyn till utvärderingsaspekter.

The ongoing transformation of the energy system along a more sustainable trajectory requires advancements in a range of technological fields, as well as active involvement of different societal groups. Integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in the built environment in particular is expected to play a crucial long-term role in the deployment of renewable energy technologies in urban areas, demanding the successful cooperation of planners, architects, engineers, scientists and users. The realisation of that technological change will require innovation at both an individual (within firms and organisations) and a collective (sector) level, giving rise to systemic approaches for its characterisation and analysis of its drivers. This study investigates the processes that either accelerate or hinder the development and diffusion of Building-Integrated PV (BIPV) applications into the market. Affected by developments in both the renewable energy and construction industries, the BIPV innovation system is a multi-sectoral case that has been explored only partially up to now. Acknowledging the fact that drivers of innovation span the globalised BIPV supply chain, this research adopts both an international and a national spatial perspective focusing on the UK. The analysis is based on a novel analytical framework which was developed in order to capture innovation dynamics at different levels, including technological advancements within firms, competition and synergy with other emerging and established innovation systems and pressures from the wider socio-economic configuration. This hybrid functional framework was conceived by combining elements from three academic strands: Technological Innovation Systems, the Multi-Level Perspective and Business Studies. The empirical research is based on various methods, including desktop research, semi-structured interviews and in-depth firm-level case studies. A thorough market assessment provides the techno-economic background for the research. The hybrid framework is used as a guide throughout the empirical investigation and is also implemented in the analytical part of the study to organise and interpret the findings, in order to assess the overall functionality of the innovation system. The analysis has underlined a range of processes that affect the development and diffusion of BIPV applications including inherent technological characteristics, societal factors and wider transitions within the energy and construction sectors. Future approaches for the assessment and governance of BIPV innovation will need to address its hybrid character and disruptiveness with regards to incumbent configurations, in order to appreciate its significance over the short and long term. Methodological and conceptual findings show that the combination of insights from different analytical perspectives offers a broader understanding of the processes affecting innovation dynamics in emerging technologies. Different approaches can be used in tandem to overcome methodological weaknesses, provide different analytical perspectives and assess the performance of complex innovation systems, which may span multiple countries and sectors. By better reflecting complexities, tensions and synergies, the framework developed here offers a promising way forward for the analysis of emerging sustainable technologies.

A large-scale introduction of driverless trucks could start taking place during the next decade. While this could bring several economic benefits for freight transport actors and society, it may also change the freight transport system and exacerbate the negative effects of road transport. This thesis aims to increase the understanding of how an introduction of driverless trucks could materialize and impact the freight transport system in Sweden. Two overarching issues are addressed. The first is how freight transport patterns will change due to the impacts of driverless trucks on road transport supply. This is addressed in Paper 1 and Paper 2. The second issue, which is studied in Paper 3, is what factors are shaping the ongoing development towards an introduction of driverless trucks in Sweden. In Paper 1, the impact of driverless trucks on the costs for long-distance road freight transport is studied through a total cost of ownership analysis which shows that driverless trucks could enable cost reductions of around 30%-40% per ton-kilometer. A key determinant of the cost reduction is to what extent reduced driver costs will be offset by other forms of human labor that may be required for driverless truck operations. Other factors, including changes to the truck acquisition cost, have marginal importance. The cost-saving potential provides a strong motivation for freight transport actors to develop and adopt driverless trucks. In Paper 2, the impacts of driverless trucks on road transport demand, utilization of different truck types, modal split, and total logistics costs are studied by using the Swedish national freight transport model Samgods. Two scenario types are studied, one in which driverless trucks substitute manually driven trucks and one where driverless trucks capable of operating between logistics hubs are introduced as a complement to manually driven trucks. The analysis shows that in both scenarios, driverless trucks could reduce total costs for Swedish freight transport in the range of billions of SEK per year. Road transport demand and truck traffic volumes may increase significantly through modal shifts from rail and sea. This could lead to increased societal costs through, for instance, increased CO2 emissions and congestion which are, however, not quantified in the study. In Paper 3, an analysis of the innovation system of driverless trucks based on an interview study with actors involved in the development and introduction of driverless trucks in Sweden is presented. The findings suggest that there are several favorable factors for a successful introduction of driverless trucks, but also that the innovation system is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty related to what infrastructure will be required and available, what business models will be emerging, and which actors will be able to capitalize on the development and which actors that become marginalized in a future with driverless trucks. The findings from this thesis can be of interest for policymakers since it highlights potential benefits and challenges associated with driverless trucks from a transport-system perspective and the provided indicative quantitative estimates on system-level impacts offer a glimpse into a future freight transport system with driverless trucks. Also, the thesis highlights critical challenges for the innovation system of driverless trucks which could guide efforts to improve its performance. / Ett storskaligt införande av förarlösa lastbilar kan komma att inledas under det kommande årtiondet. Detta skulle kunna medföra flera nyttor för transportköpare, transportbolag och samhället i stort men kan också leda till betydande förändringar av godstransportsystemet och ökade negativa effekter från vägtransporter. Syftet med denna avhandling är att öka förståelsen för hur ett införande av förarlösa lastbilar kan ske samt påverka godstransportsystemet i Sverige. Två övergripande frågeställningar studeras. Den första är hur förarlösa lastbilar påverkar utbudet för lastbilstransporter och därigenom förändrar godstransportsystemet. Detta studeras i Artikel 1 och Artikel 2. Den andra frågeställningen är vilka faktorer som påverkar den pågående utvecklingen mot ett införande av förarlösa lastbilar, vilket studeras i Artikel 3. I Artikel 1 görs en analys av hur förarlösa lastbilar kan påverka kostnaden för långväga lastbilstransporter. Denna visar att förarlösa lastbilar kan minska den totala ägandekostnaden med runt 30-40% per tonkilometer jämfört med konventionella lastbilar. Avgörande för hur stor kostnadsbesparingen blir är i vilken utsträckning minskningar i förarkostnader vägs upp av andra lönekostnader som uppstår vid användning av förarlösa lastbilar. Andra faktorer, inklusive förändringar av inköpspriset på lastbilar, har endast marginell påverkan. Den potentiella kostnadsbesparingen utgör ett tydligt motiv för godstransportaktörer att införa förarlösa lastbilar. I Artikel 2 studeras effekterna av förarlösa lastbilar på efterfrågan på lastbilstransporter, användningen av olika lastbilstyper, fördelningen mellan transportslag, och totala transportkostnader. Analysen görs med den svenska nationella godstransportmodellen Samgods och studerar två scenariotyper. I det första scenariot ersätter förarlösa lastbilar hela flottan av konventionella lastbilar. I det andra scenariot införs förarlösa lastbilar som enbart kan köra mellan logistikterminaler som ett komplement till konventionella lastbilar. Analysen visar att förarlösa lastbilar leder till en betydande ökning av efterfrågan på lastbilstransporter till följd av överflyttningfrån sjöfart och järnväg i båda scenarierna. På nationell systemnivå kan förarlösa lastbilar minska de totala kostnaderna för svenska godstransporter i storleksordningen miljarder kronor per år. Åandra sidan kan den betydande ökningen av lastbilstrafik också medföra ökade samhällsekonomiska kostnader, till exempel genom ökade koldioxidutsläpp och trängsel, vilka dock inte kvantifieras i studien. I Artikel 3 presenteras en analys av innovationssystemet för förarlösa lastbilar som bygger på en intervjustudie med aktörer involverade i utvecklingen och införandet av förarlösa lastbilar i Sverige. Resultaten indikerar att det finns flertalet gynnsamma faktorer för ett framgångsrikt införande, samtidigt som innovationssystemet i flera avseenden karakteriseras av en låg mognadsgrad och stora osäkerheter kopplade till infrastrukturfrågor, vilka affärsmodeller som kommer uppstå samt vilka aktörer som kommer gynnas eller missgynnas av utvecklingen. Resultaten från denna avhandling kan vara av intresse för beslutsfattare då de belyser potentiella nyttor och utmaningar med förarlösa lastbilar från ett transportsystemperspektiv och de indikativa systemeffekter som kvantifieras ger en fingervisning om hur ett framtida godstransportsystem med förarlösa lastbilar kan se ut. Avhandlingen belyser också viktiga utmaningar för innovationssystemet för förarlösa lastbilar vilket kan vägleda eventuella ansträngningar för att förbättra det.

The present thesis discusses the topic of public-private collaboration in research and development in Czech regions. A bibliometric keyword analysis was used in this elaboration, based on which a theoretical framework of the thesis was compiled, presenting the most important theoretical concepts related to the interaction of private companies with universities and research institutes. The thesis has two main objectives, based on which it aims to reveal the nature of the size of partial subsystems of regional innovation systems in Czech NUTS 3 regions in relation to economic and innovation performance and to confront the thesis on the link between the innovation performance of regions and the degree of interconnectedness of subsystems on data of collaborative projects in Czechia. The conducted analyses showed a negative dependence of the size of the private R&D segment and innovation performance. It turned out that in the conditions of Czechia the statement that developed regions with a developed innovation system show a larger relative representation of the private segment is not valid. The second finding supports the thesis of a correlation between the intensity of collaboration between research institutions and firms and their innovation performance. Keywords: regional innovation systems,...

Problem Discussion: The world population is increasing at a rate that the current food production capacity would not be able to sustain. In Sweden, only a small portion of the land area is used for cultivation and there is a high percentage of imports of food. Halland region is located in the southern part of Sweden has its arable land decreased between 2010 to 2020. This adds to the uncertainty of food production in the future in the region and in Sweden in general. Hydroponics combines food production and technology by using minimal space and resources. It is a technique of growing plants in water with nutrients. Despite being utilized in many countries around the world, hydroponics technology has not been widely adopted in the Halland region of Sweden. Purpose: This thesis aims to analyze the functional weaknesses of the hydroponics industry in the region Halland by utilizing the technological innovation systems (TIS) framework. By analyzing the functional dynamics of actors, networks, and institutions, this thesis aims to explore the weaknesses within the functions, which can be a basis for innovation policies for the necessary stakeholders for the further diffusion of the industry in the Halland region. Methodology: An in-depth qualitative case study was utilized in this study with a deductive approach. Authors have used the framework from Beregk (2008) to analyse the functional weakness of the TIS. And tested whether the theory stands true for a regional setting with little to no actor-network dynamics. A semi-structured interview using mostly video conferencing was done to collect data from respondents representing different actors within the technological innovations systems (TIS) framework. Analysis: The data collected from the semi-structured interviews were analyzed using coding software and exported into an Excel sheet for ease of synthesizing the information. The primary data along with secondary sources was used to analyse the functional weaknesses. The data collected were assigned to each function to identify the patterns and come up with findings and conclusions. Findings and Conclusions: An examination of the data reveals that, despite limited actor-network dynamics in the context, notable weaknesses have emerged within the Technology and Innovation System (TIS). These findings can serve as valuable insights for policymakers seeking to facilitate the wider adoption of this technology. This includes an insufficient development of knowledge within the region. Additionally, entrepreneurs face challenges in securing funding beyond the initial stages, which often leads them to employ trial-and-error approaches. This approach, while valuable for learning, 2 consumes significant time and capital resources, compounding uncertainty. Fortunately, being part of the European Union (EU) provides a distinct advantage for the region, as it enables a smooth flow of information and resources from EU counterparts. While the existing theory holds true within this context, there remains scope for further research. Further research for a distinct diffusion system analysis and greater clarity on defining the development of external positivity for an infant industry.

O trabalho submete a teste a hipótese de que o direito concorrencial brasileiro não possui hoje grau de sofisticação institucional adequado para lidar com arranjos cooperativos interempresariais utilizados por empresas a fim de desenvolver, implantar e difundir inovações tecnológicas. O critério da sofisticação institucional empregado para tanto consiste na verificação da implementação deliberada e estratégica de mudanças institucionais pelo Estado para prover vantagens institucionais comparativas para as empresas nele baseadas, em termos de maior segurança jurídica e menores custos de compliance. A fim de identificar os fatores relevantes para tal análise são empregados conceitos teóricos das linhas de pesquisa conhecidas como Nova Economia Institucional (NEI) e Variedades de Capitalismo (VdC), bem como uma análise empírica comparativa da política concorrencial aplicável a tais arranjos cooperativos nos Estados Unidos e no Brasil. / This work tests the hypothesis that the Brazilian competition law has not today an appropriate degree of institutional sophistication to deal with interfirm cooperative arrangements employed by companies to develop, deploy and disseminate technological innovations. The criterion of institutional sophistication hereby employed consists on the verification of the deliberate and strategic implementation of institutional changes by the State in order to provide comparative institutional advantages for the companies based therein, in terms of more legal certainty and lower compliance costs. In order to identify the relevant factors for such analysis, theoretical concepts from New Institutional Economics (NIE) and Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) literatures are employed, as well as a comparative empirical analysis of the competition policy applicable to such cooperative arrangements in the United States and Brazil.

A l’heure où l’innovation est ouverte et en réseau, fondée sur l’interconnexion entre différents acteurs, lespetites et moyennes entreprises (PME) ont un rôle de plus en plus important à jouer. Les clusters français,formels (systèmes productifs locaux, pôles de compétitivité etc.) ou informels, ont largement contribué à lacapacité d’innovation des PME en leur permettant de partager des connaissances et compétencesspécifiques dont elles n’auraient pas disposé en restant isolées. La problématique de cette thèse se placedans cette perspective et cherche à apporter un éclairage nouveau sur les maillages interentreprises enmatière d’innovation. Il s’agit plus précisément d’étudier les facteurs déterminant l’innovation des PMEfrançaises, en prenant en compte leurs coopérations au niveau local, régional ou national. Dans cetteperspective, nous développons tout d’abord une grille théorique à partir d’une analyse des approchesthéoriques de l’innovation, enrichie avec des éléments de la géographie proximiste de l’innovation. Celle-ciest ensuite confrontée à des données empiriques, d’abord par une étude menée au niveau régional, qui apermis de caractériser les différents clusters à dominante PME de la région Centre, et ensuite au niveaunational par une analyse économétrique réalisée sur les données de l’enquête Innovation (CIS4) concernantles PME innovantes. Au terme de ce travail de recherche, les résultats montrent que la capacité à innoverdes petites et moyennes entreprises découle d’un processus interne et externe complexe qui, compte tenudes ressources limitées dont les PME disposent, doit s’appuyer sur des systèmes d’innovation efficaces àdifférents niveaux. Les coopérations pour l’innovation des PME, qu’on les observe dans les clustersrégionaux ou au niveau national peuvent participer ainsi à la création d’un écosystème propice àl’innovation. / While innovation is open and based on the networking of different actors, small and medium enterprises(SME) have a rising role to play in this field. French clusters, formal (as local productive systems,competitiveness clusters etc.) and informal, have significantly contributed to the SME innovation capacity byoffering them specific knowledge and skills that they couldn’t acquire if they remained isolated. The mainbody of this thesis is constructed within this perspective and seeks to shed a new light on the inter-enterpriseinnovation linkages. More precisely, the aim is to analyze the determinants of innovation of SMEs taking intoaccount their cooperation for innovation at a local, regional or national level. Within this scope, we develop atheoretical framework based on an analysis of different approaches of innovation, enhanced with elements ofthe geography of innovation proximity. This framework is then verified on empirical data firstly, at a regionallevel by studding different SME clusters of the Center Region and then, at a national level in an econometricstudy based on the survey data of Innovation (CIS4) on innovative SMEs. To conclude, the results show thatSMEs’ capacity to innovate arises from an internal and external complex process that, given the limitedresources of SMEs, should be based on effective innovation systems at different levels. SMEs’ cooperationfor innovation both in regional clusters and in national innovation systems can thus contribute to the creationof an ecosystem that is suitable for innovation.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-11-04T15:58:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 André Stringhi Flores.pdf: 11737510 bytes, checksum: 7dad217ade96d08836d705f02f760de6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-04T15:58:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 André Stringhi Flores.pdf: 11737510 bytes, checksum: 7dad217ade96d08836d705f02f760de6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-07 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho tem o fito precípuo de analisar o cenário econômico da nanotecnologia no Brasil à luz de experiências internacionais selecionadas sob o prisma de Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação. A proposta de contribuição deste trabalho está centrada na ampliação da escassa literatura sobre a temática, especialmente sob o viés analítico dos Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação. O trabalho em um primeiro momento analisa os principais conceitos, características e as funcionalidades da nanotecnologia. A partir da contextualização e caracterização, o estudo avança, dedicando-se a ingressar na teoria econômica com vistas a buscar os fundamentos analíticos que sustentam a análise da nanotecnologia sob a ótica dos Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação. Sob o viés de SNI, analisam-se, posteriormente, experiências internacionais de países selecionados: EUA, Alemanha, Rússia e China, bem como da União Europeia, intentando a compreensão da criação de iniciativas nacionais focadas no desenvolvimento da nanotecnologia. À luz dessas experiências, por fim, busca-se compreender o cenário econômico da nanotecnologia no Brasil através de uma análise das dimensões científica, tecnológica-industrial e político-regulatória ao longo dos últimos anos (2000 a 2013), uma vez que essas dimensões possibilitam o aporte ao entendimento de fatores que auxiliam a análise econômica, considerando a linha neoschumpteriana. Em linhas gerais, é possível depreender-se das experiências internacionais que todos os países estudados possuem Iniciativas Nacionais já consolidadas, com mais de 10 anos de experiências, e se caracterizam: a) pelo estímulo de atividades de inovação com interação entre Universidades e Empresas; b) pela realização de investimentos públicos em projetos para desenvolvimento da nanotecnologia em empresas; c) pelo destaque mundial na produção científica e em depósitos de patentes; e d) pela criação de marcos regulatórios e de definições, conceitos e limites de aplicações em nanopartículas na indústria. No que tange aos resultados encontrados no estudo, referente ao Brasil, verifica-se um incipiente ambiente de promoção e de incentivo à nanotecnologia no Brasil, especialmente em termos de estrutura de atividades de pesquisa aplicada, de fomento de atividades de Interação Universidade-Empresa e de inexistência de marcos regulatórios. Contudo, é possível a visualização, partir da análise do cenário das referidas dimensões, de bons resultados nos planos de produção científica (18º colocação no ranking mundial, conforme dados de 2011) e de depósitos de patentes (13º colocação no ranking mundial, conforme dados de 2011) se comparado a países líderes, seus respectivos investimentos e suas dimensões referentes à criação de iniciativas nacionais em nanotecnologias já há anos consolidadas. Em termos de contribuição teórica, destaca-se a apresentação da discussão a respeito da nova onda nos SNI com a chegada da nanotecnologia. Conclui-se também pela grande lacuna, em uma perspectiva de agenda de pesquisa, lançando-se o desafio de novos estudos sobre a temática. / This work has the aim of analyzing the economic scenario of nanotechnology in Brazil in the light of international selected experiences under the prism of National Innovation Systems. The contribution proposed by this research is focused on expanding the scarce literature on this subject, especially in the analytical bias of National Innovation Systems. The work at a first moment analyzes the main concepts, features and functionality of nanotechnology. From the contextualization and the characterization, the study advances, dedicating up to enter in the economic theory in order to get the analytical foundations underpinning the analysis of nanotechnology from the perspective of National Innovation Systems. Under the bias of SNI, we will analyze, posteriorly, international experiences of selected countries: USA, Germany, Russia and China, as well as European Union, attempting to understand the creation of national initiatives focused on the development of nanotechnology. In light of these experiences, finally, we seek to understand the economic scenario of nanotechnology in Brazil through an analysis of the scientific, technological-industrial, political and regulatory dimensions over the past years (2000-2013), since these dimensions will enable the contribution to the understanding of factors that support the economic analysis, considering the neoschumpterian line. Generally speaking, it is possible to infer from international experiences that all the countries studied have national initiatives already consolidated, with over 10 years of experience, and are characterized by: a) the encouragement of innovation activities with interaction between universities and companies; b) carrying out public investment in projects for the development of nanotechnology in companies; c) the world highlight in the scientific literature and patent applications; d) the creation of regulatory frameworks and definitions, concepts and application limits on nanoparticles in the industry. With respect to the results found in the study, referring to Brazil, there is an incipient environment of promotion and encouragement of nanotechnology in Brazil, especially in terms of structure to applied research activities, promotion of university-industry interaction activities and the absence of regulatory frameworks. However, it is possible to visualize, from the analysis of these dimensions scenario, good results in terms of scientific production (18th place in the world ranking, according to data of 2011) and patent deposits (13th place in the world ranking, according to data of 2011) compared to leading countries, their investments and its dimensions referent to the creation of national initiatives in nanotechnology which was years ago consolidated. In terms of theoretical contribution, is highlighted the discussion of the new wave in SNI with the arrival of nanotechnology. It also concluded that there is a large gap, in a perspective of research agenda, launching the challenge of new studies on the subject.

Knowledge as a resource and knowledge formation as a process are seen as central to providing nations and regions as well as firms with a competitive advantage. This is captured by the view that the economic and industrial landscape is currently undergoing a transformation towards a knowledge-based economy. This dissertation engages with two views that have gained great influence in the discussions – in academia as well as in policy – on this industrial transformation. This concerns the view on which types of knowledge formation processes that are seen to actually provide a competitive advantage. There is today a prevailing tendency to connect the creation of competitive advantage to research-intensive, so-called high-tech, activities. It also concerns the view on where these knowledge formation processes take place. Much inspired by innovative and high-tech regions, competitive advantage is often closely associated with the role of geographical proximity for knowledge formation. The aim of this dissertation is to develop our understanding of the role of those knowledge formation processes that currently fall outside what is captured by these prevailing views. Three research questions are addressed. First, what is the role of non-research intensive knowledge formation processes in the creation of competitive advantage? Second, how can knowledge formation processes connected to the creation of regional competitive advantage be promoted? Third, what is the role of proximity in knowledge formation processes in the creation of competitive advantage? A qualitative case study approach is adopted for the empirical part of the research, consisting of one case study where low- and medium-tech industrial activities are studied and one case study where the regional dimension of knowledge formation is studied. Personal interviews constitute the major part of the empirical material. The research findings give evidence that reveals shortcomings in theory as well as in policy practice in regards both these prevailing views. It is shown that low- and medium-tech activities are still highly relevant, not only on their own but for the industry as a whole. Further, current forces of globalisation call for an approach to regional development that includes a dual focus of strengthening regional connections as well as facilitating and promoting extra-regional connections. This is particularly important in small, open economies such as Sweden. Further, the finings are in line with those requesting a multidimensional approach to the concept of proximity – one that regards proximity not only as a concept with geographical connotation but also with reference to proximity in context, cognition or value-systems. The dissertation suggests instead that an approach to industrial activities that assumes that those firms, regions and countries that can manage complex knowledge formation processes may develop competitive advantages. It is this ability to achieve and manage sticky processes in a slippery world that is essential for the creation of competitive advantage. And we are more likely to identify these particular competitive advantages on the firm level than on the industry level. Within every industry, there are firms that can manage more suitable ‘bundles’ of knowledge bases, network connections etc, which enable them to adapt at a lesser cost (costs can for instance be measured in terms of efforts, money or time) than other firms within the same industry. This is important to acknowledge – in policy as well as in theory – in order to not exclude important parts of what contributes to industrial competitive advantage in the knowledge-based economy. / QC 20100715

A presente tese trata da inserção da economia do Rio Grande do Sul no atual paradigma tecnoeconômico, sob uma perspectiva neoschumpeteriana/evolucionária. A hipótese assumida é que diante de um esforço tecnológico limitado na criação de vantagens competitiva dinâmicas no Brasil, com políticas de C,T&I pouco articuladas, emerge a maior necessidade de esforços estaduais no que tange a capacitação tecnológica das empresas do RS, mas que, no entanto, a indústria do Estado não tem apresentado esforços inovativos suficientes para compensar esse fraco dinamismo nacional, além de uma incipiente política estadual de inovação. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa assume, como de suma relevância, uma visão amparada nos sistemas de inovação e uma política estadual de C,T&I ativa, fortalecendo o processo inovativo. Usando como pano de fundo a economia brasileira e seu desempenho recente diante do paradigma das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) - com a maior importância dos processos de aprendizado, de produção de conhecimento, cooperação e de inovação -, o Rio Grande do Sul, por sua vez, apesar de ser um Estado que se destaca no cenário nacional, não vem logrando um desempenho satisfatório na produção de produtos de alta tecnologia, ligados ao atual paradigma tecnoeconômico. Os dados da PINTEC para o Rio Grande do Sul demonstram os insuficientes esforços inovativos, com pouca importância e reduzidos dispêndios em atividades internas de P&D, utilizando-se de poucos mecanismos de aprendizado e com insuficientes relações de cooperação. Além disso, corrobora substancialmente com a tese, os reduzidos gastos do governo estadual em C&T, pois enquanto outros Estados da Região Sul tem apresentado um aumento nos gastos em C&T, ao longo dos anos 2000, o RS está indo na direção contrária, abdicando de esforços que poderiam contribuir significativamente para o aumento da participação da indústria gaúcha em setores de alta tecnologia, denotando uma inserção deficiente no atual paradigma tecnoeconômico das TICs. Conclui-se que esse conjunto de fatores indica a manutenção de uma estrutura de produção vigente, não amparada numa visão sistêmica do processo inovativo e na construção de um sistema estadual de inovação, com uma política de C,T&I insuficiente no RS, diante dos requisitos impostos pelo atual paradigma das TICs. / This thesis aims to situate the economy of Rio Grande do Sul state in the current techno-economical paradigm, a neo-Schumpeterian/evolutionary approach. The assumption made is in front of limited technological efforts in the creation of dynamics competitive advantages in Brazil, with C, I & T policies not articulated, the states must have greater efforts regarding the technological abilities of their companies, but the companies of Rio Grande do Sul have not given sufficient innovative efforts to compensate this weak national dynamics as well as its incipient state innovation policy. In this sense, this research assumes great relevance in a vision anchored in an innovation system and T&I state policies active, able to strengthen the innovative process. Using the Brazilian economy and its recent performance on the paradigm of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a backdrop – with greater importance to the learning process of knowledge production, cooperation and innovation – the Rio Grande do Sul state, despite of being a state that standouts on the national scene, is not achieving a satisfactory performance in the production of high technology products linked to the current techno-economical paradigm. The PINTEC data for Rio Grande do Sul demonstrate inadequate innovative efforts, with little importance and reduced spending on internal R & D, using a few learning mechanisms and insufficient cooperation relations. Moreover, these data corroborates substantially with the thesis, the reduced spending of state government in S & T, because while other states in the Southern Region has shown an increase in spending on S & T over the year 2000, the RS is going in the opposite direction, abdicating efforts that could contribute significantly to the increased participation of industry of the state in high-tech sectors, indicating a poor inclusion in the current economical paradigm of ICT. It concludes that this combination of factors indicates the maintenance of a structure of current production, not supported in a systemic view of the innovative process and in building a statewide system of innovation with a policy, I & T Insufficient RS, before the requirements imposed by the current paradigm of ICT.