Inter-relações entre neoliberalismo e atividades de inovação em uma universidade pública brasileira

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore the processes of innovation management in light of the rise of neoliberal policies, grounded in the frameworks of the Triple Helix and academic capitalism. The study investigates the interrelations between neoliberalism and innovation activities at a public university in Brazil, examining the dynamics among university, industry, and government. In a context shaped by neoliberal policies that may impact the nature of federal universities and faculty work, the research seeks to understand how market rationalities affect innovation processes. The central research question guiding the investigation is: "What are the interrelations of neoliberal logic observable in the innovation process at a public university in Brazil?" To address this question, four specific objectives were established: to identify institutional guidelines regarding the encouragement and strengthening of innovation processes between universities and the market; to identify, using the framework of academic capitalism, the network of actors involved in the innovation process between universities and companies; to explore the relationships among university, industry, and government to identify cooperation arrangements and understand researchers' perceptions regarding the enablers and barriers to innovation within the institution. The literature reviewed covers key topics such as neoliberalism, academic capitalism, entrepreneurial universities, the Triple Helix theory, and the dynamics of innovation and entrepreneurship in public universities. The adopted methodology is descriptive and qualitative, utilizing case study and documentary research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with faculty from the Graduate Program in Technological Innovation (PPGIT), and data analysis followed Bardin's Content Analysis technique, focusing on thematic categories. The research findings indicate that the offering of entrepreneurship courses at the studied university reflects a neoliberal logic, emphasizing venture creation and individual skill development, often at the expense of critical analysis of entrepreneurship. A significant finding reveals the complexity of interactions within the Triple Helix model, demonstrating that relationships among the spheres are not fixed but shaped by dynamic logics influenced by neoliberalism. The research also shows that researchers have a clear understanding of the direction of investigations within universities and use this knowledge to implement adaptive strategies. While their actions are not solely driven by private sector demands, they leverage these interactions to develop relevant research, thereby ensuring the continuity and advancement of academic inquiry.