RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar como ocorre a coordenação das práticas colaborativas de inovação no processo da Inovação Aberta em PMEs. Originalidade/relevância: O estudo foi motivado por lacunas teóricas sobre a gestão de práticas colaborativas de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D) no processo da inovação aberta. A originalidade do artigo consiste em avançar na compreensão dos mecanismos que PMEs podem utilizar para gerenciar a inovação aberta e obter resultados mais efetivos. Principais aspectos metodológicos: A pesquisa consistiu em uma abordagem qualitativa, por meio de três estudos de caso de projetos colaborativos. Foram entrevistados onze gestores envolvidos em práticas colaborativas de P&D nos três casos. Síntese dos principais resultados: A formalização de mecanismos de coordenação depende da tangibilidade na aplicação dos resultados do projeto, ou seja, quanto mais próximos de ser aplicados em um novo produto, maior a importância e controle dos mecanismos de coordenação. Ainda, nos casos analisados, a definição dos mecanismos de coordenação foi estabelecida pela empresa, e não pelos parceiros externos. Da mesma forma, para as empresas entrevistadas, a busca por conhecimento externo (de fora para dentro da empresa) é mais importante para sua estratégia de P&D que a transferência do seu conhecimento para parceiros externos (de dentro para fora da empresa). O estudo contribui para a teoria organizacional ao relacionar as características de projetos colaborativos de P&D e os mecanismos de coordenação utilizados. Do ponto de vista gerencial, os resultados servem como guias para gestores de PMEs interessados em coordenar práticas colaborativas no processo de inovação aberta.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) coordinate collaborative research and development (R&D) projects through an open innovation strategy. Originality/value: This research was motivated by a theoretical gap in the management of collaborative R&D projects in open innovation strategies. The originality of the paper is to advance the understanding of coordination mechanisms that SMEs can use to manage open innovation and obtain more effective results. Design/methodology/approach: The research followed a qualitative approach, through three case studies of collaborative projects. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews with eleven managers directly involved in collaborative R&D projects. Findings: Results demonstrate that the use of coordination mechanisms depends on the applicability of each project’s results, i.e., the higher the chances of a certain R&D project becoming a real product, the higher the importance given to the coordination mechanisms. On the cases observed, the coordination mechanisms were defined by the enterprise, not by external partners. In addition, it was observed that open innovation projects that the enterprise seeks for external knowledge to complement internal resources (outside-in) were considered more important than transferring internal knowledge to external partners (inside-out). The paper contributes to organizational theory by highlighting the relation between the characteristics of collaborative R&D projects and the coordination mechanisms used. Regarding the managerial contribution, results serve as a guide for entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs interested in coordinating collaborative projects based on open innovation processes.

Technological innovation is represented by the conversion of knowledge into new products and processes which, when commercialized, generate wealth. In relations with companies, universities' role is to develop scientific knowledge, fostering industry's R&D activities. This article proposes an analysis of the technology transfer process performed by public universities in Brazil. Results demonstrate that universities are facing difficulties in requesting and licensing patents based on scientific results, due to lack of commercial contact with companies and their limitations in adapting available technologies. The increase in scientific output is not being effectively transformed into new technologies for products and services, exposing the necessity for new policies to approach university-industry relations. For universities, this may mean rethinking the role of patents in the technology transfer process, such as increasing co-authorship with companies and have companies support technological research within the university, instead of investing in legal protection, distant from market needs.

In order to develop innovations, companies are establishing University-Industry (U-I) relations which are explained in theories like the Triple Helix. Maybe this traditional view it is not enough to describe what happens in Brazil. Followed by a growth of articles published internationally, companies in technologically stable industries seem to be incorporating high-tech outcomes from universities, boosting sectors that once were apparently inert. This research will propose a different approach on U-I relations, focusing on the Knowledge Flow. Results show that agriculture companies are increasing their relations as much as engineering companies. Such relations are mainly based on raw technologies or applied solutions. Start-up firms' relations are mainly based on informal contacts and patents are not used to protect technologies. The Silent Run shows that companies which appear to be technologically stable are now upgrading trough U-I, and patents does not seem to be the first option when protecting new technologies.