O sistema de inovação em saúde: um estudo sobre as empresas industriais de equipamentos médicos, hospitalares e odontológicos gaúchas

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the characteristics of the industrial companies of the segment of medical, hospital and dental equipments, located in RS, about their innovative processes. For this, a theoretical and empirical survey was applied. Secondary data information, from Annual Report of Social Information (ARSI) and from CNPq Directory of Research Groups, and primary data were used. A field survey, with a sample of seventeen companies, was personally applied in order to collect information about the innovative processes, university-industry interaction and the assessment of companies about the existent actions for the sector promotion. The development of the research was grounded in a theoretical approach about national innovation systems, health innovation system and university-industry interactions. The results showed that the companies are in growing process of development and of innovation in product and process and organizational. To innovate, they use information from different sources of knowledge. About the internal sources, the area of sales and marketing and customer service was indicated by companies as the main source of information for innovation. Regarding the external sources, clients, health professionals and hospitals were considered highly relevant sources for the innovation process of companies. Considering the partnerships, customers were considered the main agent to establish partnerships. Companies interact with universities with the main purpose of developing R&D projects together and get the product validation by laboratory tests; it is evident that this relationship gives them credibility in the market. Strengthening relations between the various actors in the health innovation system is critical to the development and strengthening of EMHO sector in RS.