A quarta hélice em ambientes de inovação tecnológica: fatores que influenciam a participação da sociedade

Abstract

The Quadruple Helix consists of a theoretical framework that presents as a central element the mutual relations that occur in the different phases of creation and transfer of knowledge and involve the spheres of Government, University, Industry, and Civil Society. From this vision, it is assumed that the application of knowledge to the solution of practical problems reveals a complex process dependent on inter-institutional interaction. The present work seeks to investigate the motivational factors that lead the actors of the Quadruple Helix, with emphasis on civil society actors, to proactively relate in environments of technological innovation. To achieve the objective, the theoretical framework discusses the evolution and characteristics of development theories based on the relationship between government, productive sector, universities, and society; subsequently, it discusses collaborative governance. Based on the literature, a theoretical model of the relationships among the constructs, named Benefits, Openness, Engagement, and Inter-Helix Relationship, was proposed, whose hypotheses were analyzed by the structural equation modeling technique. This work, as to its approach, is a quantitative research, using structured questionnaires as data collection method, with Technology Parks as the locus of the study. The survey counted with 101 valid answers. The SmartPLS computer program was used to analyze and treat the collected data. The results showed that the three hypotheses of the study were confirmed: the benefits perceived by Society, for their participation in innovation environments, positively influence their engagement in these contexts; the openness to participation of society, provided by innovation environments, positively influences their engagement in these places; and the engagement of society in innovation environments positively influences the relationship between the actors of the Quadruple Helix. It was observed that among the factors for an active participation of the fourth helix of innovation are those linked to the numerous benefits arising from these environments (educational, infrastructural, local development, cooperation, among others) and the receptivity of innovation environments, guided by collaborative governance (trust, deliberation, collective gains, transparency, among others). Finally, the study aims to contribute to the dissemination and greater emphasis on the relevant role of civil society in innovative contexts based on the Quadruple Helix.