Cooperação tecnológica para inovação no setor da construção civil

Abstract

Currently, the civil construction contributes with 27% of gross domestic product (GDP) from the State of Espírito Santo generating 65,000 formal jobs, in addition to have a high potential for generating jobs and entrepreneurship. However, is an industry of technological evolution quite slow when compared to the processing industry. The aim of this work was to carry out an analysis of the technological cooperation practices for innovation in the civil construction sector at the State of Espírito Santo and to purpose a set of strategic actions promoting improvement of the competitiveness of the sector through introduction of technological cooperation practices for innovation. To this end, it was proceeded to the evaluation of 30 construction companies in the metropolitan region of Vitória and the same number of professors and researchers of the Academy, managers of the development agencies and managers of the public companies, all related to the subject. The choice of the field of civil construction is due to both its relevance on economic development of the Brazil and its contribution to population. The methodological approach designed was based on case study; literature review; application of questionnaires and interviews, and assessment and statistical treatment of the data surveyed. The obtained results confirmed the gap between the Academy and the market and between the Academy and the public sector; the lack of integration among agents of the civil construction; the difficulty of access to the knowledge; the conservatism of the agents of the civil construction; the short-term view of the companies of this sector; the limitations of legal basis of stimulating ST&I; the limitations in infrastructure for ST&I in laboratories, financial and human resources. There are a number of strong restrictions that go beyond the decision-making power and influence of the companies individually, making difficult and limiting dissemination and absorption of these innovations, which are related to factors of systemic character, interns to companies, and structural factors. For overcoming the obstacles identified, aiming to catalyze cooperation for innovation in civil construction, they are purposed some actions which, although not definitive, should evolve into potential definition with respect to the methodology to be adopted, the survey of costs and the other necessary information based on cooperative projects to be discussed with all stakeholders. Additionally, they are suggested research lines for the development of innovation cooperation.