Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of intellectual capital on a firm’s absorptive capacity (ACAP), and of ACAP on product innovation. The authors argue that intellectual capital and other sets of intangible assets are mobilized by firms through dynamic capabilities such as ACAP. Product innovation is one of the results of this process. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative study was conducted, including 500 firms of different sizes, industries and technological intensities located in southern Brazil. The validity of constructs and the theoretical model were confirmed by structural equation modeling. Findings The authors found that intellectual capital does influence ACAP, albeit differently on each of ACAP’s dimensions. Acquisition, assimilation and exploitation of knowledge are more decisively influenced by structural capital, followed by human capital. The ability of transformation of knowledge is evenly influenced by structural and human capital, and more moderately so by social capital. The results also showed that ACAP influences product innovation, but each of its dimensions demonstrated a different impact. Practical implications This study helps practitioners to identify the development of a firm’s intangible resources and its influences on product innovation. This characterization can serve as a benchmark for managers or private and public companies to define strategies and policies to stimulate innovation. Originality/value Few studies present a theoretical discussion about the relationship between a firm’s resources and ACAP’s dimensions in broad empirical contexts or in emerging countries.

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RESUMO O empreendedor tem desempenhado um papel fundamental no desenvolvimento econômico das nações. Contudo, desde sua origem no século XVI, o termo empreendedor tem passado por modificações. Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar contribuições para a formação e as modificações nesse termo à luz das mudanças ocorridas ao longo de três paradigmas tecnológicos: revolução industrial, fordismo e tecnologia da informação. O argumento central deste ensaio é que empreendedor refere-se a um termo dinâmico e multifacetado, influenciado por revoluções tecnológicas e sociais. Foram identificadas quatro concepções de empreendedor: individual, intra-empreendedor, coletivo e social. Conclui-se que os diferentes empreendedores têm motivações, barreiras e desafios que divergem em características, mas convergem na busca pela construção de um novo empreendimento.

This paper aims to examine how technology incubators contribute to the internationalization of incubated Brazilian companies. To do so, was developed a framework that, in addition to supporting research, can be used to provide a basis for studies of internationalization in small technology-based companies and incubators and to assist their managers. By comparing the factors identified as influencing internationalization and the actions and services provided by the technology incubators, an integrated model with four constructs (entrepreneurs; organizational characteristics; network; foreign market) was built. The results demonstrate that incubation positively affects the internationalization of companies and indicate the actions and services that contribute towards the internationalization, as also reveals aspects that could be improved.

Purpose-This paper aims to explore innovation in geographic business networks and to propose a model of cluster innovation capability. The premise is that innovation is a necessity for firms and inter-firm relationships is an option for it to occur. Among these relationships, clusters stand out, with studies showing that firms in clusters tend to be more innovative. Design/methodology/approach-Thus, we conducted an exploratory study of two clusters: the emerging cluster of Alto do Camaquã, in Brazil, and growing cluster of Sisteron, in France. The cases were analyzed based on elements previously established in the literature: context; collective strategy; public policy; commercialization; pro-activity; external relationships; transmission; collaboration; assimilation, transformation, and application of knowledge; governance; infrastructure; financial and human resources. Findings-We obtained a model of cluster innovation capability, composed of strategic management, relationships and learning, technological and marketing development, and operational management. Originality/value-The proposed model is a dynamic model as capabilities vary in their intensities according to the development stage of the cluster and its maturity time.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between family succession, professionalization and internationalization in family businesses within the Brazilian context.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a multiple-case study method with three Brazilian family businesses that have at least two generations of the owning family involved in the business and an international presence of at least three years. In-depth interviews and secondary data were undertaken with family and non-family members of each case.FindingsThe authors' results show that a family business can boost its internationalization by introducing both succession planning and professionalization on international activities. As family members tend to be more risk-averse and focused on keeping the family business within the family, professionalization is a way of improving the firm's ability to expand internationally. This process tends to lead to lower performance by the firm for the first few months or the first year after the investment, but afterward, international performance tends to grow exponentially.Originality/valueOnly a few studies have been concerned on the relationship of these three dimensions. Thus, the research takes into account that professionalization and succession lead family businesses to improve their internationalization strategies.

Resumo O presente artigo tecnológico tem como finalidade propor uma metodologia para gestão da inovação que objetiva atender às necessidades de micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica. O desenvolvimento dessa metodologia ocorre no âmbito do programa da Financiadora Nacional do Projetos (FINEP) para a estruturação de Núcleos de Apoio à Gestão da Inovação (Nagis), visando à elaboração de Planos e Projetos de Gestão da Inovação nas empresas brasileiras. Para o desenvolvimento da presente proposta, foi realizada uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa desenvolvida em duas etapas principais. Na primeira fase, desenvolveu-se uma revisão da literatura dos principais elementos para gestão da inovação, especialmente no contexto das micro e pequenas empresas. Na segunda, foram selecionados cinco NAGIs, dentre os 24 aprovados na chamada pública MCTI/FINEP, de acordo com sua trajetória desenvolvida até o momento da pesquisa, em janeiro de 2014. A metodologia proposta – Rota da Inovação – parte da Visão Baseada nos Recursos (VBR), com uma perspectiva processual e lúdica, relacionando o processo de inovação a uma rota de navegação. A lógica das ilhas na Rota da Inovação tem como base as etapas do processo de inovação. O objetivo dessa abordagem foi tornar a metodologia de fácil compreensão e implementação pelas micro e pequenas empresas.