Condicionantes para a criação de vantagens competitivas para incubadoras de empresas de base tecnológica: uma análise a partir da resource-based view e da abordagem das capacidades dinâmicas

Abstract

This research examines how the resources and competences developed by Technology-based Business Incubator enable in a competitive way the fulfillment of their objectives. For the construction of the research model, two independent constructs - resources and competences - and one dependent construct - competitive advantages - were considered, based on the following theoretical fields: Resource-based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities approach. After the identification of the organizational, intellectual, physical and financial and relational resource sets and the strategic competences sets, based on the dimensions of innovative organization, strategy, processes, relationships and organizational learning, the data were collected through a survey (first phase) and through interviews and analysis of documents and sites (second phase). 176 incubators were identified with characteristics of IEBT. In the first phase, 123 questionnaires were analyzed and in the second phase, managers of ten of these IEBTs were interviewed. The quantitative analysis showed that the resources and competences, together, account for 29.7% of the variance of the competitive advantages of the IEBTs. It is a relevant explanation for research conducted in the field of Management Sciences, given the complexity of the elements that interfere in the dynamics of these organizations. However, this result prompted the existence of other relevant constraints to elucidate the influence of the internal environment on the results of these organizations. In line with the RBV, competitive advantages are assured, particularly in those resources that assume characteristics of intangibility, such as know-how, image and reputation, culture and networking, but also depend on the ability with which strategies are implemented based on the superiority of resources and the flexibility of resource deployment. In terms of the sets of competences, those based on processes (Structural Equation Modeling Technique) and on relationships (Tidd, Bessant and Pavitt model) were highlighted. However, the IEBTs should not disregard those linked to organizational learning, because, due to the mutability of the environments in which they operate, the continuous construction of new learning is fundamental. In addition, the generated knowledge is an intangible resource, fundamental for the constitution of more lasting competitive advantages. The other two sets of skills (innovative organization and strategy) should act as a reinforcement for core competencies. In addition to the constraints considered for the measurement of the mentioned constructs, it was verified that other elements found in the organizational, interorganizational and environmental levels, consubstantiated in resources, represent possibilities of reaching different advantages from the capacity of the incubators to interpret the opportunities and act in response to these opportunities. It is recommended for future work that the new research model presented be applied in the same population studied, for comparative purposes. Additionally, it is proposed to perform comparative studies between two or more types of innovation environment to analyze which of them can develop the most advantageous resources and the competencies identified in this study and, as a result, exercise greater influence in the development of high growth companies.