Qualification and innovation: aspects of internal and external development in brazilian multinationals

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the process of qualification for innovation in Brazilian multinationals. For this purpose a descriptive and qualitative survey and multiple case studies were conducted. The Brazilian multinationals studied in-depth were Embraco, Tigre and WEG. Survey results indicated that the technological qualification of Brazilian multinationals studied followed an evolutionary process that was basically initiated by the acquisition of foreign technology and implementation of adaptive imitation. Later, with the establishment of technological partnerships and development of an internal R&D structure, creative imitations began to be undertaken by these companies. Currently, the multinational companies studied pursue excellence in internal R&D and a strengthening of interactions with external sources of knowledge and technology as an alternative to accelerating organizational learning for innovation.