A relação entre o foco em inovação e o impacto na eficiência: um estudo nas empresas brasileiras distribuidoras de energia elétrica

Abstract

The Law 9.991/2000 which regulates investments in R&D in the electricity sector aims for the development of innovations that provide advances to the sector in Brazil. Regarding the distribution segment, the focus is to improve the efficiency of companies. Therefore, the goal of this study is to verify the existence of correlation between the focus on innovation and the relative economic efficiency scores. For that purpose, a scale to measure focus on innovation was proposed, based on the literature. To quantify the efficiency scores, Data Envelopment Analysis was used through the Frontier Analyst software. The analysis of correlations were developed with the Eviews software. This is an applied research with descriptive goal and quantitative approach. For data collection, the documental strategy was used, followed by the content analysis technique, under which data was collected in the available in documents. The research took place over 2014 and comprised data from 2010 to 2013 of 20 companies listed on the BM&FBovespa with exclusive operations of electricity distribution. The main results indicate low level of focus on innovation by surveyed companies. Also, no significant correlation between the level of focus on innovation and relative economic efficiency scores was found. Thus, this study contributes to reinforce other existing arguments stating that efforts in innovation are incipient in Brazil, and there is greater concern to meeting the legislation than seeking the benefits provided by it.