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Nanotechnology is regarded as the key technology for the 21st century, affecting almost every aspect of the economy. It involves several areas of knowledge, and for consequence the innovation networks has a key role in its development.

Innovation networks and specially in the public sector are considered as critical policy instruments to promote the creation and fortification of robust innovation systems, like platforms of learning for the actors. Therefore and considering the relevance of these networks, there is a necessity of evaluating their development in order to know its innovation potential and performance, but unfortunately the literature about frameworks for assessing these networks is scarce, especially in nanotechnology.

In this sense, the main objective of this work is to present the proposal of a framework for evaluating nanotechnology innovation networks. The focus of this framework is related to the evaluation of public innovation networks.

The framework was validated in three segments of the Brazilian nano-technology network. An empirical research, associated to three assumptions, was developed in order to support the proposal. This research was both qualitative as quantitative and it was used research instruments like an interview face to face with key actors and a survey

Contact

Mercy Escalante Ludeña, José Pérez Alcázar, Esteban F. Tuesta, Adalberto Fischmann, Guilherme Ary PlonskiUniversity of São Paulo – FEA, EACH, BrazilE-mail: mercyesc@usp.br

2008 INTERNATIONALCONFERENCE

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Evaluating Collaborative Innovation Networks in Nanotechnology

NationalEnvironment(NIS)

TechnologyTransference

InternationalEnvironment of R&D

Scale Manufacturingand Comercialization Demand

Dimension 1 – Network Environment

Dimension 2Network Process

Dimension 3TechnologyTransference

Multidisci-plinaryPublicResearch

ColaborativeEnvironmentof Research

PrivateR&D

Knowledge Base of theNetwork

ProcessMeasurements

1

NationalStrategy of Nanotechnology Knowledge

Fluxes

“VentureCapital”

3New productswith Nanotechnology

Demand ofnewproducts

Public policies of Innovation

Environment Measurements

Technology Path

Social Capital

Network Strategy

2

Standard of Behavior

InnovatorKnowledge

CITs

NationalEnvironment(NIS)

TechnologyTransference

InternationalEnvironment of R&D

Scale Manufacturingand Comercialization Demand

Dimension 1 – Network Environment

Dimension 2Network Process

Dimension 3TechnologyTransference

Multidisci-plinaryPublicResearch

ColaborativeEnvironmentof Research

PrivateR&D

Knowledge Base of theNetwork

ProcessMeasurements

1

NationalStrategy of Nanotechnology Knowledge

Fluxes

“VentureCapital”

3New productswith Nanotechnology

Demand ofnewproducts

Public policies of Innovation

Environment Measurements

Technology Path

Social Capital

Network Strategy

2

Standard of Behavior

InnovatorKnowledge

CITs

• Management of each network• Strategic Alignment between the network and the country• Strategic Implementations:

• Training• diffusion• structure• Governance• multidisciplinary dynamics

1

• Papers published• Patents accepted• Formation of Human Resources (HR)

2

3 • Patents licensed• Spin-offs

• Management of each network• Strategic Alignment between the network and the country• Strategic Implementations:

• Training• diffusion• structure• Governance• multidisciplinary dynamics

1

• Papers published• Patents accepted• Formation of Human Resources (HR)

2

3 • Patents licensed• Spin-offs

Comunication between Processes

Process

KnowledgeBase

Comunication between Processes

Process

KnowledgeBase

Fig. 1. Evaluating Innovation Nanotechnology Network – A Framework

Main References

AGAPITONA N. The Impact of social Networks on innovation and industrial development In: DRUID Summer Confrence Copenhagen/ Ellsinore June 12-14, 2003.

BOZEMAN Barry. LAREDO P.; MANGEMATIN V. Understanding the emergence and deployment of “nano” S&T. In: Research Policy. 2007.v.36,.n.6.p.529-540.

HEINZE T., KUHLMANN S; Across institutional boundaries? Research collaboration in German public sector nanoscience. In Research Policy, 2008, v. 37, p. 888-899.

LUNDVALL, Bengt-Ake. National Systems of Innovation: Towards a Theory of innovation and Interactive Learning. Londres: Pinter, 1992.

MINISTÉRIO DE CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA MCT . Nanotecnologia Investimentos, Resultados e DEMANDAS. Mct, Dec, 2006 Disponível em < http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/727.html > acesso em dez 2007