Economia da nanotecnologia: uma análise econômica da nanotecnologia no Brasil sob a perspectiva de Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação

Abstract

This work has the aim of analyzing the economic scenario of nanotechnology in Brazil in the light of international selected experiences under the prism of National Innovation Systems. The contribution proposed by this research is focused on expanding the scarce literature on this subject, especially in the analytical bias of National Innovation Systems. The work at a first moment analyzes the main concepts, features and functionality of nanotechnology. From the contextualization and the characterization, the study advances, dedicating up to enter in the economic theory in order to get the analytical foundations underpinning the analysis of nanotechnology from the perspective of National Innovation Systems. Under the bias of SNI, we will analyze, posteriorly, international experiences of selected countries: USA, Germany, Russia and China, as well as European Union, attempting to understand the creation of national initiatives focused on the development of nanotechnology. In light of these experiences, finally, we seek to understand the economic scenario of nanotechnology in Brazil through an analysis of the scientific, technological-industrial, political and regulatory dimensions over the past years (2000-2013), since these dimensions will enable the contribution to the understanding of factors that support the economic analysis, considering the neoschumpterian line. Generally speaking, it is possible to infer from international experiences that all the countries studied have national initiatives already consolidated, with over 10 years of experience, and are characterized by: a) the encouragement of innovation activities with interaction between universities and companies; b) carrying out public investment in projects for the development of nanotechnology in companies; c) the world highlight in the scientific literature and patent applications; d) the creation of regulatory frameworks and definitions, concepts and application limits on nanoparticles in the industry. With respect to the results found in the study, referring to Brazil, there is an incipient environment of promotion and encouragement of nanotechnology in Brazil, especially in terms of structure to applied research activities, promotion of university-industry interaction activities and the absence of regulatory frameworks. However, it is possible to visualize, from the analysis of these dimensions scenario, good results in terms of scientific production (18th place in the world ranking, according to data of 2011) and patent deposits (13th place in the world ranking, according to data of 2011) compared to leading countries, their investments and its dimensions referent to the creation of national initiatives in nanotechnology which was years ago consolidated. In terms of theoretical contribution, is highlighted the discussion of the new wave in SNI with the arrival of nanotechnology. It also concluded that there is a large gap, in a perspective of research agenda, launching the challenge of new studies on the subject.