An analysis of industrial districts and Triple Helix of innovation – a regional development experience in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro

Marcelo Amaral,Raphael Lima,Gustavo Da Silva Motta,Mariana Fagundes,Marília Schocair

doi:10.1016/j.rai.2017.07.005

Marcelo Amaral, Raphael Lima + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rai.2017.07.005

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Abstract

This work consolidates a research effort to analyze 70 years of economic development in the region of the Paraíba do Sul River, in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The paper follows the trajectory of the leader company, steelmaker Companhia Siderúrgica National, and its relations with other local actors, such as government and universities. The research question investigates if the steel market is still the company's core business and its evolution in the competitive global production network. This work introduces a different exploratory approach, analyzing productive networks using an industrial district typology and the linkages based on the Triple Helix of university–industry–government. The literature review and case study show the first transition, after the privatization process in the nineties, transforming a state-owned company with a focus in the national market into a transnational corporation with business on four continents. The second transition, from the steel market to a globally integrated production chain of mining and steel is underway. The region's configuration migrated from a company town in a state-centered model to a central-radial arrangement. The second migration to a satellite platform is in progress. Regarding technology development, the company's strategy changed from in-house research and development to buying technology. There is a recent effort to recreate interaction space with universities.

Highlights

Companhia Siderúrgica National (CSN) was incorporated by the Brazilian government during the Second World War as a symbol of the country’s industrialization process in the twentieth century
Founded on April 9, 1941 by a decree of Brazilian dictator Getúlio Vargas, CSN started its operations on October 1, 1946, at a site bordering the Paraíba do Sul River in the current city of Volta Redonda, in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro
From 2002 to 2014, due to the economic development experienced by Brazil, a set of investments from large industries began in the MPR-RJ, such as CSN’s cement factory, opened in 2009, and a flat steel plant, started in 2015, both in Volta Redonda

Summary

Introduction

Companhia Siderúrgica National (CSN) was incorporated by the Brazilian government during the Second World War as a symbol of the country’s industrialization process in the twentieth century. These investments means CSN is engaged in five productive chains (steel, mining, logistics, cement, and energy), all of them to increase the power in the steel chain and to internationalize, to overcome foreign market barriers This integration combined with a more efficient management process has made the company in one of the lowest-cost steel producers in the world and one Brazilian firms. From 2002 to 2014, due to the economic development experienced by Brazil, a set of investments from large industries began in the MPR-RJ, such as CSN’s cement factory, opened in 2009, and a flat steel plant, started in 2015, both in Volta Redonda Another flat steel plant was built by Votorantim in the city of Resende, starting production in 2009. An organization to mediate this process is not easy to find, but the local players can build one, including the universities, which can be key actors in this process (Ferreira, 2012)

Discussion

Findings

Acknowledgments and funding sources