The Evolutionary Dynamics of Technological Innovation Centers (NITs) in Brazil Two Decades After the Innovation Law: A Comparison with Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and a Proposed Typology for Assessing Maturity Levels
Name: RODOLPHO DA CRUZ RANGEL
Publication date: 24/06/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRE OTTONI TEATINI SALLES | Examinador Interno |
| ÉRIKA ANDRADE SILVA LEAL | Examinador Externo |
| HILTON MANOEL DIAS RIBEIRO | Examinador Interno |
| PATRÍCIA ANDREA DO PRADO RIOS | Examinador Externo |
| ROBSON ANTONIO GRASSI | Presidente |
Summary: This thesis investigates the evolution of Brazilian’s “Núcleo de Inovação Tecnológica” (NIT), with the
aim of systematising recent quantitative and qualitative evidence to understand the maturity levels of
these institutional structures. To this end, the scholarly literature is mobilised to identify the key
elements, events, and institutional dynamics that have shaped the NIT trajectory since the enactment of
the Innovation Law in Brazil in 2004, and the current state of NIT is compared with that of Technology
Transfer Offices (TTO), which represent a more advanced stage of development. The study further
draws on the most recent findings reported by the Brazilian FORTEC survey, as well as official
documents pertaining to current public support programmes directed at these structures. The results
indicate that, although the Brazilian’s Innovation Law and the Legal Framework for Science,
Technology and Innovation established and subsequently updated the NIT institutional responsibilities,
more than two decades after their implementation the majority of these NIT continue to concentrate their
performance on activities related to intellectual property filing, facing significant barriers to effective
technology transfer. This evidence points to a persistent gap between the formal institutional mission of
NIT and their respective Institutions (universities), particularly with regard to fostering innovation with
market and societal diffusion. In response to this diagnosis, the thesis proposes, in an original
contribution, a typology of NIT structured across five evolutionary maturity levels, designed to provide
both an analytical and a practical instrument for NIT and Institutions managers, public policymakers,
and researchers. The proposed typology seeks to capture the heterogeneity existing among these NIT
and to guide institutional strengthening strategies, with the objective of equipping NIT and their
Institutions with the knowledge needed to develop institutional capacities, structure efficient information
and knowledge flows, and strengthen their interaction networks with economic agents, thereby,
enhancing the effectiveness of their technology transfer and innovation processes. Ultimately, it is
argued that such advances are important for promoting regional economic development and
consolidating science, technology, and innovation policy in Brazil.
