Models of innovation development in small and median-sized enterprises of the aeronautical sector in Brazil and in Canada

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation that aimed to generate detailed knowledge on the process of innovation development in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the aeronautical sector. As a theoretical foundation, five models of technological innovation were took: linear, reverse linear, coupling, interaction chain and systemic. Data were collected in two large Brazilian enterprises subcontracted by a larger Brazilian enterprise of the same sector, and two Canadian enterprises also subcontracted of a larger Canadian enterprise. The methodological approach was qualitative research of multiple cases. Data collected by semi-structured interviews were analyzed with Atlas-ti software in quantitative analysis of within case and cross case that focused the comparison of data in the search for similarities and differences which reveal valid results for the set of cases. These results are synthetized in an integrator model of the innovation that explains the process of the cases. This model has five phases that consider the client´s needs and the cooperation of sources of information associated to universities and other enterprises of the productive chain of the aeronautical sector.