Competence in information technology and the relationship with innovation capacity: a study in Brazilian technology-based companies

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Purpose To evaluate the relationship between IT competence and innovation capacity in technology-based companies in Brazilian technology poles and/or parks in Brazil, this study aims to highlight the importance of the necessary differential associated with technologies to promote the innovation capacity of companies, as organisations can respond quickly and with innovative actions to changes in the business environment. Design/methodology/approach With a quantitative approach, an electronic questionnaire was applied from July to November 2021, with a ten-point Likert scale containing 45 questions distributed among the dimensions and constructs analysed. The survey sample was conducted in 88 companies (with 107 valid responses returned). Structural equation modelling was performed using SmartPLS 3.3.3 software for data analysis. Findings The results showed a strong, positive and committed relationship between IT competence and innovation capacity dimensions. As for the dimensions of IT competence, the six dimensions were evaluated and validated, with an advance in the literature. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research are related to a specific group of companies, located in an environment and with their own characteristics. Due to the limitations, there is a need to expand the investigation to other business areas, and not only to technology-based companies. There is a need to examine in detail the resources, dimensions of IT competence that are applied in companies, as well as evaluate how they relate to the capacity for innovation. Practical implications It is believed that the results of this research can contribute to the improvement of actions and strategies of technology-based companies, in addition to improving market responses with greater dynamism, creating innovative products and/or services directly for customers. One cannot forget, however, the discussions and theoretical advances between the relations of constructs and their application in organisations of various sectors. Social implications The study of the existing relationships between IT competence and innovation capacity in Brazilian technology-based organisations provided an advance in knowledge, by understanding the form and characteristics existing between the dimensions analysed, enabling organisations to identify those that can best be used and obtain results of the company’s performance for the market. Originality/value The contributions include understanding the relationships between IT competence and innovation capacity and the knowledge that the organisation needs to know the dimensions of IT competencies to invest in innovation capacity and support activities for performance associated with a competitive advantage.