RESUMO O artigo tem como principal objetivo realizar uma discussão teórica sobre o estado da arte da abordagem evolucionária no âmbito da Geografia Econômica, destacando seus pilares, principais conceitos, críticas e limitações. Também são abordadas as contribuições das demais vertentes da Geografia Econômica – Institucionalista, Relacional e Economia Política – que podem auxiliar na superação das lacunas existentes na GEE, culminando com a proposta de uma Geografia Econômica Evolucionária desenvolvimentista alicerçada no pluralismo engajado. A principal contribuição do estudo é propor um framework conceitual no âmbito da Geografia Econômica adequado à compreensão da evolução de lugares reais ao longo do tempo em perspectiva multiescalar.

ABSTRACT The main objective of this paper is to conduct a theoretical discussion on the state of the art of the evolutionary approach within Economic Geography, highlighting its pillars, key concepts, critiques, and limitations. Additionally, it examines contributions from other strands within Economic Geography — namely Institutional, Relational, and Political Economy approaches — that may help bridge existing gaps in Evolutionary Economic Geography (EEG). This culminates in the proposal of a developmental EEG, grounded in engaged pluralism. The primary contribution of this study is the proposal of a conceptual framework within Economic Geography that supports an understanding of the evolution of real places over time through a multiscalar perspective.

RESUMO Este estudo analisa como governos estaduais implementam as modalidades especiais de contratações públicas de inovação (CPIs), identificando obstáculos e práticas adotadas para superá-los. Trata-se de uma pesquisa observacional, descritiva, com desenho comparativo de corte transversal. Analisaram-se os governos estaduais e o distrital. A coleta de dados ocorreu através de análise documental da legislação e dos contratos públicos de inovação, além de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados evidenciam que as CPIs nos estados brasileiros ainda são incipientes devido à novidade do tema, à elevada percepção dos riscos associados à inovação e ao excesso de burocracia no setor público. Embora haja uma visão positiva sobre os CPIs e esforços empreendidos para implementá-los, conclui-se que ainda existem desafios a serem superados, como capacitar os agentes públicos e promover uma cultura de inovação.

ABSTRACT This study analyzes how state governments implement specific types of public procurement of innovation (PPI), identifying the obstacles encountered and the practices adopted to overcome them. It is an observational, descriptive study with a comparative cross-sectional design examining state and district governments. Data collection involved documentary analysis of legislation and public innovation contracts and semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that PPIs in Brazilian states are still in their early stages due to the novelty of the subject, a heightened perception of the risks associated with innovation, and excessive bureaucracy in the public sector. Although there is a positive outlook on PPIs and efforts have been made, it is concluded that challenges remain, such as training public officials and promoting a culture of innovation.

ABSTRACT The article reflects on the current dynamics of the Argentine Science and Technology System (SACT), recognising its structure, regulatory framework and incentive system influenced by path-dependence trajectories. The SACT is compared to a century-old building, accumulating layers of policies and institutions over time. While these layers reflect its value and contribution, they also highlight the need to align the system with new development challenges. Institutional complexity, regulatory challenges and lack of diversification in science and technology trajectories are highlighted. It concludes that, rather than demolishing the building, a new rationale is required to face the current challenges, fostering democratic dialogue to reach a consensus on the desired direction.

RESUMEN El artículo reflexiona sobre la actual dinámica del Sistema Argentino de Ciencia y Tecnología (SACT), reconociendo su estructura, marco regulatorio y sistema de incentivos. Se compara el SACT con un edificio centenario, acumulando capas de políticas e instituciones a lo largo del tiempo. Aunque estas capas reflejan su valor y contribución, también evidencian la necesidad de alinear el sistema con los nuevos desafíos del desarrollo. Se destaca la complejidad institucional, los desafíos regulatorios y la falta de diversificación en las trayectorias científicas y tecnológicas. Se concluye que, en lugar de demoler el “edificio”, se requiere una nueva racionalidad para enfrentar los desafíos actuales, fomentando el diálogo democrático para consensuar el rumbo deseado.

ABSTRACT This study conducts a comprehensive meta-regression analysis to examine the relationship between firm size and innovative performance, utilizing 95 empirical studies published between 1993 and 2017. By incorporating 655 econometric estimations from these studies, we aim to identify key factors contributing to the heterogeneity observed in the empirical literature. Our findings confirm a positive average effect of firm size on innovative performance, reinforcing the theoretical expectation that larger firms tend to be more innovative due to economies of scale and greater resource availability. However, this relationship is moderated by various contextual and methodological factors that affect results, such as the measures used for firm size and innovation, the type of innovation considered (product or process), and the geographic context (developed or developing countries). This study contributes to the literature by presenting one of the most comprehensive meta-analyses on this topic to date, introducing new moderator variables, and offering deeper insights into the sources of heterogeneity. The results not only reinforce the most common hypotheses on the size-innovation relationship but also provide a nuanced understanding of the variations in empirical results. By highlighting the importance of measurement choices and firm characteristics in understanding the firm size–innovation nexus, this study offers valuable guidance for future research, enabling a more refined approach to investigating this complex relationship.

RESUMO Existe ampla evidência de que a estrutura produtiva de uma região condiciona sua capacidade de crescimento econômico, diversificação futura e composição do mercado de trabalho. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre o papel que as habilidades dos trabalhadores (como comunicação, programação ou operação de diferentes tipos de máquinas e equipamentos) desempenham para que as regiões explorem suas oportunidades de diversificação inteligente e avancem para setores mais sofisticados. A partir de uma estratégia de diversificação inteligente para Santa Catarina, e utilizando a metodologia de relatedness (afinidade produtiva), foram identificados os setores produtivos mais complexos, porém relacionados aos já existentes, para cada microrregião. Em seguida, determinamos a composição de habilidades dos trabalhadores requerida para avançar nesse processo de diversificação e as comparamos com as já existentes. Nossos resultados indicam que a identificação de oportunidades de diversificação inteligente (relacionadas a atividades mais complexas), e as políticas industriais associadas, precisam ter foco nos principais gargalos de habilidades relacionadas. Isso se verificou especialmente a habilidades cognitivas e soft skills que se relacionam a pensamento analítico, interação social e pessoal e TICs em geral.

ABSTRACT There is substantial evidence that the productive structure of a region conditions its capacity for economic growth, future diversification and composition of the labor market. However, little is known about the role that the specific skills of workers (such as communication skills, programming skills or operation of different types of machines and equipment) play, so that the regions explore their opportunities for smart diversification and advancement for sectors more sophisticated. Based on a smart diversification strategy for Santa Catarina and using the relatedness methodology, more complex sectors are identified that are related to those that already exist. Next, the skills composition of the two workers required to advance in the diversification process is determined and these skills are compared as existing ones. Our results indicate that the identification of opportunities for intelligent diversification (related to more complex activities) and the associated industrial policies, precisely this focus, gives us the main skills gaps related especially to cognitive abilities in ICTs and soft skills that are related to analytical thinking, interaction social and personal.

RESUMO Este artigo apresenta uma análise comparativa de quatro modelos de suporte à criação de startups: incubadoras, aceleradoras, investidores de risco e venture builders (VBs), um modelo emergente que vem ganhando relevância. Usando revisão sistemática de literatura baseada no método Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), foram identificados nove elementos pertinentes aos quatro modelos. A literatura científica sobre VBs é relativamente escassa e não foram encontrados trabalhos que comparem todos os quatro modelos, principalmente considerando os nove elementos consolidados. Os resultados destacam como os modelos equilibram os elementos de aporte de capital suor e de capital financeiro, com impacto mais evidente na participação societária negociada. A partir dos resultados, startups em estágios iniciais podem ter maior clareza na busca por apoio adequado às suas necessidades. Adicionalmente, investidores e gestores, públicos e privados, podem aprimorar sua tomada de decisão na criação ou gestão de programas de desenvolvimento de startups.

ABSTRACT This article presents a comparative analysis of four models of support for the creation of startups: incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists and venture builders (VBs), an emerging model that has been gaining relevance. Using a systematic literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method, nine elements relevant to the four models were identified. The scientific literature on VBs is relatively scarce and no studies were found that compare all four models, especially considering the nine consolidated elements. The results highlight how the models balance the elements of sweat capital and financial capital, with a more evident impact on the negotiated equity share. Based on the results, startups in early stages can have greater clarity in seeking support that is appropriate to their needs. Additionally, investors and managers, both public and private, can improve their decision-making in creating or managing startup development programs.

ABSTRACT This article seeks to deepen the understanding of sustained competitive advantages built through strategies of R&D investments, and patents and trademarks registrations by Big Pharma, within the framework of the three main activity clusters related to dynamic capabilities: sensing, seizing, and transforming. The use of this framework contributes to the comprehension of the strategies of R&D, patents, and trademarks by Big Pharma in creating sustained competitive advantages and in the endurance and stability of these companies as industry leaders. The identification of R&D opportunities emerging from the public sector, the ability to leverage identified opportunities through organizational competencies and consistent strategies for resource transformation – such as evergreening –, and brand building have been recognized as significant components of the dynamic capabilities of the firms that enable the creation and maintenance of sustained competitive advantages.

RESUMO O presente artigo busca aprofundar o entendimento das vantagens competitivas sustentadas construídas através das estratégias de investimentos em P&D e de registros de patentes e trademarks pela Big Pharma, à luz dos três grupos de atividades principais relacionados às capacitações dinâmicas: identificar, aproveitar e transformar. A utilização deste arcabouço contribui para o entendimento das estratégias de P&D, patentes e trademarks pela Big Pharma na criação de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis e na permanência e estabilidade dessas empresas como líderes do setor. A identificação de oportunidades de P&D que despontam do setor público, a capacidade de aproveitar as oportunidades identificadas através de competências organizacionais e as estratégias constantes de transformação de recursos – como o evergreening – e a construção de marcas fortes foram identificadas como parte importante das capacitações dinâmicas dessas firmas que possibilitam a criação e manutenção de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis.

ABSTRACT Although studies on the innovation-employment nexus are longstanding in economics, current investigations are focused on the effects of digital technologies on the labor market. This paper examines how technological intensity affects job polarization in Brazil's manufacturing industry. Utilizing the technological standardization methodology by Galindo-Rueda and Verger (2016), data were grouped using the Fisher-Jenks algorithm at the two-digit sectoral level. To measure job polarization, the Routine Task Intensity Index (RTI) by Autor and Dorn (2013) was employed. A pattern of production concentration in sectors with lower innovation relative to value added can be observed. According to the RTI, employment in the industry sectors is polarized; however, the hypothesis that higher technological intensity leads to greater job polarization was not observed in some sectors of the Brazilian manufacturing industry.

ABSTRACT Using the knowledge base theory, which classifies knowledge into analytical, synthetic, and symbolic types, this paper aims to analyze Brazil's spatial pattern of knowledge distribution in two periods, corresponding to a growth and a downturn phase. The methodology relies on occupational data segmented by knowledge types. Results show that the core region still creates a conducive environment for symbolic, synthetic, and analytical knowledge types, although the regional gap is reducing. Such a spatial pattern can only be understood as an intrinsic outcome of interconnections between Brazil's regional formation process and its position in the global economy. This paper contributes to the discussion on regional disparities by interpreting the results drawing on aspects of the evolutionary economic geography (EEG), the Latin American dependency theory, and the geographical political economy (GPE), together with the hypothesis of uneven and combined development.

ABSTRACT From the perspective of regional innovation systems, this study examines the relationship between state innovation policies in Brazil and the states' innovation index. The research is classified as exploratory qualitative and covers innovation policies established through laws and state decrees edited until 2017 and in the period between 2018 (the year in which the first index was published) and 2021 to understand how the policies enacted in this period potentially contributed to the innovation indexes of the five most innovative states in 2021. Thus, the legislative provisions on the innovation of the 27 Brazilian states were classified and examined under the structural, financing, and interaction dimensions. As a result, four findings that can help explain the advancement or maintenance of the position of these states in the innovation ranking were developed. The study offers theoretical and practical contributions to innovation policies in the context of Brazilian states.

RESUMO Este estudo examina a relação entre as políticas estaduais de inovação no Brasil e o índice de inovação dos estados sob a perspectiva dos sistemas regionais de inovação. A pesquisa é classificada como qualitativa exploratória e abrange políticas de inovação estabelecidas por meio de leis e decretos estaduais editados até 2017 e no período entre 2018 (ano em que o primeiro índice foi divulgado) e 2021, a fim de entender como as políticas promulgados nesse período potencialmente contribuíram para os índices de inovação dos cinco estados mais inovadores em 2021. Assim, as disposições legislativas sobre inovação dos 27 estados brasileiros foram classificadas e examinadas sob as dimensões estrutural, financiamento e interação. Como resultados, quatro achados que podem ajudar a explicar o avanço ou a manutenção da posição desses estados no ranking de inovação foram apresentados. O estudo oferece contribuições teóricas e práticas sobre políticas de inovação no contexto dos estados brasileiros.

ABSTRACT The article analyzes auto parts companies in Rio Grande do Sul so as to understand their knowledge absorption capacities and to identify important combinations to reach Absorptive Capacity. The Absorptive Capacity is a dynamic skill, and relationships among learning, innovation and interaction may boost knowledge absorption and improve companies' innovative capabilities. Data analysis using Fuzzy Sets Qualitative Comparative Analysis revealed necessary and sufficient conditions related to the dimensions and components that shape the Absorptive Capacity. It was observed that the combinations of capabilities of the companies are sufficient to reach an average level of Absorptive Capacity.

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) are receiving greater attention both in the academic world and in the field of government action. Recently, many studies have used a configuration perspective in the analysis of EEs. However, many of these studies have not specifically addressed whether different EE configurations can produce similar outputs; that is, they do not properly explore the concept of equifinality. Our main purpose was to fill this theoretical and empirical gap by exploring and demonstrating the patterns of performance of EEs (e.g., configurations) along a bundle of entrepreneurial outcome indicators. Using the Entrepreneurship Framework Conditions (EFCs) indicators provided by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) from 60 countries and applying exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis, we identified and developed five distinctive EE configurations. Later, by applying analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare these EE configurations across the entrepreneurial outcome indicators, we were able to show distinctive (dis)similarities with respect to the outcome indicators investigated. The results contribute to the understanding that there is not only one type of successful EE. In other words, the equifinality of EEs was empirically evidenced by our analysis. This is a significant theoretical contribution to the field, emphasizing the need for a broader view of how EEs may be configured and denying the relevance of searching for an ideal EE.

RESUMEN Este artículo indaga en qué medida las solicitudes de patentes de invención, que contaron con financiamiento del sistema CyT argentino, se han licenciado y explotado comercialmente. Este tópico fundamental para orientar las políticas de transferencia de tecnología, sin embargo, no ha sido abordado cuantitativamente. Esta investigación busca subsanar parcialmente esa vacancia mediante una encuesta, la cual fue respondida por 145 investigadores responsables de proyectos PICT –principal instrumento de financiamiento a la CyT del país– que han sido inventores y/o solicitantes de patentes. Entre los principales resultados destacan: i. un 28% declara que tiene al menos licenciada una patente, mientras que un 12% tiene al menos una en explotación; ii. las tasas de licenciamiento y explotación son más bajas cuando la patente se solicita en la Argentina que cuando se tramita en oficinas del extranjero; iii. la principal causa señalada para la falta de transferencia es la ausencia de demanda o vinculación con adoptantes de la tecnología.

ABSTRACT This article explores the extent to which patent applications financed by the Argentine S&T system have been licensed and commercially exploited. This fundamental topic for guiding technology transfer policies, however, has not been analyzed quantitatively. This research seeks to partially fill this gap by means of a survey, which was answered by 145 researchers responsible for PICT projects –the main instrument for financing S&T in the country– who have been inventors and/or patent applicants. Among the main results, the following stand out: i. 28% state that they have at least one licensed patent, while 12% have at least one in exploitation; ii. licensing and exploitation rates are lower when the patent is applied for in Argentina than when it is processed in foreign offices; iii. the main cause indicated for the lack of transfer is the absence of demand or linkage with adopters of the technology.