Innovation in Brazil: Universities, Embraer and Petrobras

Abstract

Innovation affects a nation’s sovereignty. In this paper, we look at Science and Technology indicators as proxies for Innovation using databases such as WIPO, INPI, Sucupira and Scival, and including patents registered, academic-corporate collaborations, patents citing Brazilian articles (Number of patents and documents) and technical production in Brazilian higher education institutions. We also look at two major previously state-owned companies (Embraer and Petrobras) to see their patenting and citation behaviour compared to other companies worldwide. Brazilian science is a citation basis for patenting in companies and universities worldwide, but Brazil does not use its own publications to support patent proposals. While USP is the major cited university, Unicamp has more patents. Academic-corporate collaboration exists between Brazilian and foreign universities, especially in the US and Europe. The Brazilian companies show low patenting behaviour, but Embraer has a higher impact than Petrobras. As a consequence of the dynamics of science and technology, we suggest that the analyses of the innovation processes could focus on the generation of startups and, in particular, academic spin-offs.