TECHNOLOGICAL LEARNING AND THE THEORY OF THE TRIPLE HELIX: A CASE STUDY IN A PRODUCTIVE CLUSTER OF WARES

Abstract

The promotion of productive agglomerations can be a form to create learning spaces. The local development through f the interaction among universities, companies and government has been the shortest way for technological learning and innovation. This article has the objective to identify the mechanisms of technological learning, driven by the interaction between the agents who form the productive cluster of dinnerware in Campo Largo - Paraná. This cluster is responsible for 90% of the national production, generating approximately 4,000 direct and indirect jobs in the State. The theoretical framework is given by the Triple Helix model, developed by Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff (1997). It evaluates the technological innovation as resulted of the interaction between the agents: government, companies and university. The research was carried by means of a case study evolving a collection of the data in fifteen companies. It is identified some actions that already are presenting results, as it is the case of a project of “glue under pressure” and the celebration of the international agreement to the construction of a technological center of ceramics. The research also detaches the necessity of governance mechanisms between the stakeholders the cluster.