Challenges to innovation policies in the brazilian defense sector obstacles and structural barriers

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the main cultural and structural barriers that hinder interaction and, consequently, the innovative process of the Defense sector. The motivation for studying cultural and structural matters in the Defense sector comes from the perception that the innovation indicators currently used in the academic field of work transcend aspects related to research, development, protection, production, and application of knowledge, which complement the understanding of the essence of innovation and the whole amplitude and complexity of and environment proper for innovation. From the methodological perspective, this work is a product of a pool of interviews, and of bibliographical and documental research on the culture of innovation present in the Brazilian Armed Forces. The data was categorized and analyzed by the method of Content Analysis. The results indicate suggestions regarding public policies structural, educational and operational in character, consolidated in the form of strategic directives (Appendix A), striving to contribute to an improvement of an organizational culture that inspires trust, spirit team, and the capability to work together while accepting differences. Furthermore, the investigation into possible structural barriers corroborates the perception that the Ministry of Defense must coordinate the innovations in the sector.