The challenges faced by Brazil’s Public Universities as a result of knowledge transfer barriers in building the technological innovation center

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the contribution of the creation and management of organizational knowledge on the process of structuring Technological Innovation Centers in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The research methodology was qualitative. Results have shown that the researched Centers are well-structured with regard to the constitution of the Centers according to the Federal Innovation Law of Brazil (number.10973) and to the Innovation Act of Bahia State (number.11174). However, some barriers were detected on the creation and management of organizational knowledge related to the progress of activities and effective technology transfer from and to the productive sector. Two of the main barriers are the lack of a staff with tenure, which has relied primarily on the hiring of scholars through the bids offered by the Brazilian government, the lack of a structured system for conducting processes of innovation. Addressing such obstacles is possible as it is understood that innovation of activities is essential as well as acquiring new organizational knowledge for an entrepreneurial and innovative approach gathering university and industry. Key words: Knowledge management, innovation law, technological innovation centers, public universities.