Brazilian innovation ecosystems in perspective: Some challenges for stakeholders

Abstract

Worldwide, innovation ecosystems have been used as a framework to promote socioeconomic development. Brazil has been conducting several efforts to foster innovation ecosystems as a strategic option for its socioeconomic development and as a way of becoming a more aggressive actor in the global knowledge economy. However, these initiatives have fallen short of expectations. In this paper we argue that some of the frustrating results could be prevented by facing up to some strategic challenges like fostering an innovation culture, adopting a context-dependent definition and innovative ecosystems framework, providing an extended innovation policy mix, attempting to strike a balance between innovation ecosystems and knowledge-based regions and cities, and developing innovation management competencies. Despite the present context characterized by economic and political crisis, we argue that the propositions introduced in this paper can contribute to a positive agenda.