Knowledge Sharing in Innovation Environments: a comparative analysis of a case in Brazil and Ecuador

Abstract

This research aimed to comparatively analyze how knowledge is shared in an incubator of technology-based companies, with a view to fostering the innovation process, in Brazil and Ecuador. This is an exploratory-descriptive research, with a qualitative approach. The method used was the case study. The objects of study were two technology-based business incubators, one located in the southern region of Brazil and the other in the southern region of Ecuador. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews carried out with the incubated companies, whose script was developed based on the identification of the main elements and characteristics present in the knowledge-sharing models found in the literature visited. Data analysis was carried out using the content analysis technique. The results indicate that the main factors influencing knowledge sharing are training and qualifications for incubated companies, interactions that occur between these companies, the environments used for these interactions, existing partnerships in the incubator, shared knowledge, and support for the development of products, services, and innovations. It is concluded that there is a similarity between Brazilian and Ecuadorian technology-based incubators in terms of these factors that lead to the sharing of knowledge in these environments, thus favoring innovation.