Business Modeling and Public Policy in High-Tech Industries: Exploratory Evidences from Two Brazilian Semiconductor Support Programs

Abstract

This paper adopts an exploratory analysis based on a multiple case study to investigate the interplay of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) business modeling strategies and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies in a mid-income country efforts to develop a national semiconductor industry. Specifically, we analyze how 22 Brazilian SMEs supported by two comprehensive federal programs designed and implemented business models and strategies in an attempt to, on the one hand, meet the scope and timing of public funding resources and, on the other hand, develop capabilities to enter the industry’s global value chain. Drawing on a wide body of literature and on the evidence collected, we identified and categorized the firms’ business models into five groups: Pure Play IP, Pure Play Design, Fabless, Fabless Plus and Captive. We then analysed the firms’ within the specificities of each group. The paper shows that, in addition to business models and strategies oriented to meet short-term survival needs, the financial benefits for firms were low and unstable, with recurrent and unresolved frictions between policy-makers, planners and firms.

A literature review of MSME success: Acceptance and use of technology, financial access, and strategic cooperation

“…A study by (Da Silva Alves et al, 2018) explored the use of mobile learning in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil. They found that implementing mobile learning initiatives in these organizations impacted employee skills, knowledge, and competency development.…”

“…These courses range from technical skills, such as basic accounting and IT, to soft skills, such as effective communication and customer service. In addition, several e-learning platforms in Brazil offer courses tailored to the needs of SMEs (Da Silva Alves et al, 2018). The platform makes it easy for companies to find the required courses and for employees to access them.…”

Integrated technology roadmapping in startups: a case study of an AgTech in the Cachaça industry

“…By analyzing technology development strategies in an AgTech startup, this paper attempted to fill a gap in the literature, given the scarcity of documented similar experiences from developing countries. Such scarcity of academic case studies exploring these themes is, on the one hand, influenced by the reluctance of entrepreneurs in providing information revealing details of the technological approaches underlying their business models (Botelho and Almeida, 2010;Alves, et al, 2018), and on the other hand, by the difficulties of reproducing the findings of a single case study based on exploratory research (Edmondson and McManus, 2007). As regards the first aspect, the company founder is one of the authors of this paper, which guarantees accountability of the information and data disclosed in connection with this research.…”

Development of an electronic nose for characterizing the level of maturation of cachaça

“…By analysing technology development strategies in an AgTech startup, this chapter attempts to fill a gap in the literature, given the scarcity of documented similar experiences from developing countries. Such scarcity of academic case studies exploring these themes is, on the one hand, influenced by the reluctance of entrepreneurs in providing information revealing details of the technological approaches underlying their business models (Botelho and Almeida, 2010;Alves, et al, 2018). On the other hand, by the difficulties of reproducing the findings of a single case study based on an exploratory research (Edmondson and McManus, 2007).…”