A relação entre elementos institucionais e a inovação no setor público

Abstract

Innovation in the public sector has become a rising topic, given technological evolution and societal challenges. However, it is known that in public management the process of change is slower, as bureaucratic characteristics still predominate in the structure, resulting a pattern of habitual behavior that interferes with innovation over time. In this setting, the effects of institutional elements on public organizations gain relevance because they allow understanding the implicit patterns given the characteristics of the context, since institutional theory covers a set of influences that institutions exert on organizations and their strategies. Thus, the evidence demonstrated in the literature indicates that based on the analysis of formal and informal institutions, it is possible to identify facilitating or restrictive elements to chart the best path for innovation. In this study, we sought to understand the dynamics of innovation in a public organization, using the procedural approach. Based on the single case study, innovation events were analyzed and reconstructed through narrative and temporal maps. Finally, it was possible to demonstrate that formal elements such as the regulatory pillar and informal elements such as bureaucratic culture and beliefs that legitimize common social structures are elements that impede innovation. Among other positive influences on innovation, it was observed that developing solutions through mimetic isomorphism and collaboration with other organizations are factors that facilitate acceptance. Furthermore, stimulating entrepreneurial behavior linked to appropriate incentive mechanisms can also facilitate and disseminate innovation. It is expected that the findings of this study will guide decisions on innovation management in the public sector.