Challenges for the Measurement of Innovation Ecosystems and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Brazil

Authors

  • Renata Lèbre La Rovere Institute of Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5912-5500
  • Guilherme de Oliveira Santos Postgraduate Program in Public Policy, Strategy and Development at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, PPED/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6038-4745
  • Bianca Louzada Xavier Vasconcellos Postgraduate Program in Public Policy, Strategy and Development at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, PPED/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3343-7391

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.v10i1.1971

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Innovation Ecosystems, Metrics.

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to identify metrics and indicators of innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial ecosystems and to discuss the limitations of these metrics in the Brazilian case. Theoretical framework: From a theoretical point of view, the paper contributes to the analysis of the differences and similarities between the concepts of innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial ecosystems. From a methodological perspective, the paper proposes indicators and metrics and points out the limitations for measuring entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach: The study’s qualitative approach is based on a literature review, a documentary research, and data collection for the characterization of innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The paper identifies the main indicators and metrics, their data sources and the limitations of these indicators and metrics in the Brazilian case. Findings: It was observed that despite the existence of multiple data sources, the measurement of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Brazil entails constraints such as time lag of the data; voluntary filling of databases; lack of transparency at the regional level; and incomplete or skewed data. Research, Practical & Social implications: From a theoretical point of view, the paper contributes to the analysis of the differences and similarities between the concepts of innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial ecosystems. From a methodological point of view, the study proposes indicators and metrics and points out the limitations for the measurement of entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems in Brazil. Originality/value: When identifying limitations, the paper proposes alternatives to improve the measurement of innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country and in its different regions. This is essential for designing and monitoring public policies to support innovation, especially those aimed to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

JEL CODE: O30, L26

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Author Biographies

Renata Lèbre La Rovere, Institute of Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Renata Lèbre La Rovere is  a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ). Professor La Rovere holds a PhD in Economics from the Paris Diderot University (Université de Paris VII - Université Denis Diderot) (1990), France, and a master’s degree in Productive Structures and World Systems (Structures Productives Et Systeme Mondial) from the Paris Diderot University (Université de Paris VII - Université Denis Diderot) (1986), France. Her research interests are: the geography of Innovation; entrepreneurship; Innovation and knowledge at the enterprise level; communication and information technologies; and local development.

Guilherme de Oliveira Santos, Postgraduate Program in Public Policy, Strategy and Development at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, PPED/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Guilherme de Oliveira Santos is a researcher at the innovation economics research group from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ) and an advisor to the technology directorate of the foundation for research support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, FAPERJ). He holds a master’s and a doctor’s degree from the Public Policy, Strategy and Development program at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2016 and 2020), Brazil. His research interests are: the geography of Innovation; regional Innovation systems; entrepreneurship ecosystems; policies to support entrepreneurship; and mission-oriented Innovation policies.

Bianca Louzada Xavier Vasconcellos, Postgraduate Program in Public Policy, Strategy and Development at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, PPED/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Bianca Louzada Xavier Vasconcellos is a doctoral student from the Public Policy, Strategy and Development program at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ) and a researcher at the Innovation Economics Research Group at the UFRJ. She holds a master’s degree in Territorial Development and Public Policies at the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ) (2016), Brazil. Her research interests are: Economics and regional development; the industrial production structure of the state of Rio de Janeiro; regional economic complexity and Innovation; structural changes and manufacturing industries. E-mail: bianca.ufrrj@gmail.com

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Published

2020-12-25

How to Cite

Lèbre La Rovere, R., de Oliveira Santos, G., & Louzada Xavier Vasconcellos, B. (2020). Challenges for the Measurement of Innovation Ecosystems and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Brazil. REGEPE Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal, 10(1), e1971. https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.v10i1.1971

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Research Articles