Triple helix relations and patent deposition in innovation projects at a large Brazilian university

Abstract

Innovation nowadays is one of the most important factors for any company's long-term success, economic development, or technological and scientific advances. In Brazil, the investments in Research and Development are mostly public, counting on government support in incentives and specific legislation to foment innovation. Among the many factors that influence innovative projects' development are the triple helix relations, which are established among universities, industry, and government. The entrepreneurial university is the main institution of this model as it represents the largest source of knowledge needed to stimulate technological advancement and entrepreneurship In this scenario, this study aimed to analyze the triple helix relations into science, technology, and innovation support institutions linked to a federal university in Brazil. The project consisted of analyzing each triple-helix actor's impact in historical data of innovation projects conducted by the university center. As a result, the government sphere's strong presence was identified as the main conductor of the innovation process, followed by a university culture of research and entrepreneurship in development and industry not as active as it was expected.