INNOVATION CHALLENGES FOR SOUTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INDICATORS

8/10/2019 INNOVATION CHALLENGES FOR SOUTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INDICATORS

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INNOVATION CHALLENGES FOR SOUTHINNOVATION CHALLENGES FOR SOUTHAMERICAN UNIVERSITIES: AN ANALYSIS BASEDAMERICAN UNIVERSITIES: AN ANALYSIS BASED

ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICALON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL

INDICATORSINDICATORS

ElicianaEliciana VieiraVieira SelvinaSelvina Ferreira Mendes,Ferreira Mendes, EvanildoEvanildo Vieira dos SantosVieira dos Santos, Rita Pinheiro, Rita Pinheiro--

Machado,Machado, NationalNational InstituteInstitute ofof IndustrialIndustrial PropertyProperty (INPI), Rio de Janeiro,(INPI), Rio de Janeiro, BrazilBrazil

PS5PS5 ACADEMIC INVENTORS, S&T UNIVERSITY INDICATORS AND SPINACADEMIC INVENTORS, S&T UNIVERSITY INDICATORS AND SPIN--OFFSOFFS

TomskTomsk,, RussiaRussia

1111 SeptemberSeptember 20142014


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The use of indicators of science and technologyThe use of indicators of science and technologyas numbers ofas numbers of

papers and patentspapers and patentsmay be efficient tools to study the role ofmay be efficient tools to study the role of

universities in the countries/regions, in the context of innovatuniversities in the countries/regions, in the context of innovation.ion.

It permits to analyze different countries capabilities regardingIt permits to analyze different countries capabilities regarding toto

knowledge production and development of new technologies.knowledge production and development of new technologies.

So, this work aims to analyze the strengths and weaknesses thatSo, this work aims to analyze the strengths and weaknesses that cancan

promote structural difficulties or leverage the innovative procepromote structural difficulties or leverage the innovative process withinss within

universities. Also, it aims to identify the existing cooperatiouniversities. Also, it aims to identify the existing cooperation betweenn between

the South American universities.the South American universities.


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3. Methodology3. Methodology

As indicators of science and technology, were used scientific paAs indicators of science and technology, were used scientific paperspers

published in indexed journals and patent applications from Southpublished in indexed journals and patent applications from South

American countries from 2008 to 2012.American countries from 2008 to 2012.

The countries studied were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, CThe countries studied were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia,olombia,

Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and VenezuelaEcuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela..


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a)Scientific Production:a)Scientific Production:

For quantitative analysis of scientific production from SouthFor quantitative analysis of scientific production from South

American universities were used two complementary databases: theAmerican universities were used two complementary databases: the

SCImago Journal & Country Rank and the SCOPUS database.SCImago Journal & Country Rank and the SCOPUS database.

SearchSearch strategystrategy consideredconsidered documentsdocuments fromfrom universitiesuniversities

((affiliationsaffiliations), in), in portugueseportuguese andand spanishspanish languageslanguages,, recoveredrecovered fromfrom

20082008--2012.2012.


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b) Patent applications:b) Patent applications:

For data of technological production, was used the Espacenet datFor data of technological production, was used the Espacenet databaseabase

from the European Patent Office (EPO) .from the European Patent Office (EPO) .

Search was set in the Advanced Search option, by WorldwideSearch was set in the Advanced Search option, by Worldwide

Collection. The select fields used as filters:Collection. The select fields used as filters: publication numberpublication number;;publication datepublication date; and; and applicantapplicant (s).(s).

For the identification of countries, were used the following parFor the identification of countries, were used the following parameters:ameters:Brazil: F1 + F2 + F3 (t1) and other countries: F1 + F2 + F3 (t2)Brazil: F1 + F2 + F3 (t1) and other countries: F1 + F2 + F3 (t2), where:, where:

F1 = Priority Number / Country Code ;F1 = Priority Number / Country Code ;F2 = Publication DateF2 = Publication Date -- Period 2008Period 2008--2012; and,2012; and,F3 = Applicant (s): Search TermsF3 = Applicant (s): Search Terms -- Country Code, combined with the terms inCountry Code, combined with the terms in

Portuguese (t1) or Spanish (t2), using * as a wildcard symbolPortuguese (t1) or Spanish (t2), using * as a wildcard symbol..


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It was provided an analysis of the results obtained, identifyingIt was provided an analysis of the results obtained, identifying each ofeach of

applicants and partnerships among university and other institutiapplicants and partnerships among university and other institution.on.

Then, five groups of partnership among universities were set:Then, five groups of partnership among universities were set:

a)a) with other(s) university (ies) from the country of origin;with other(s) university (ies) from the country of origin;b) with foreign universitiesb) with foreign universities -- not from South America;not from South America;

c) with foreign universitiesc) with foreign universities -- from South America;from South America;

d) with foundations (public or private), or state enterprises; ad) with foundations (public or private), or state enterprises; and,nd,

e) with private companies.e) with private companies.


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4. Findings and Interpretation4. Findings and Interpretation

4.1 Scientific production:4.1 Scientific production:

In most of South American countries, there is a significantIn most of South American countries, there is a significant increase ofincrease ofthe total number of papers indexed in the SCImago portal.the total number of papers indexed in the SCImago portal.

Brazil has the largest scientBrazil has the largest scientificific production among them, almost twiceproduction among them, almost twicethe amount of records from Argentina, Chile and Colombia togethethe amount of records from Argentina, Chile and Colombia together.r.

Also, Brazil reaches over than 50% of all Latin America scieAlso, Brazil reaches over than 50% of all Latin America scientificntific

production and 8% of North American countries.production and 8% of North American countries.

However, the growth of scientific production in Latin AmericHowever, the growth of scientific production in Latin America is nota is notsimilar.similar.


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Table 2 South American countries scientific production in indexed journals, 2008 - 2012.

Country or Region 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Argentina 8,619 9,656 10,178 10,832 11,041

Bolivia 238 236 230 237 214

Brazil 40,356 44,367 47,278 51,839 55,803

Chile 5,701 6,357 6,716 7,362 8,111

Colombia 3,428 4,002 4,593 5,148 5,776

Ecuador 394 475 431 462 564

Guyana 24 45 38 24 32

Paraguay 65 86 91 114 135

Peru 733 895 946 1,163 1,203

Suriname 19 12 12 12 27

Uruguay 758 840 882 1,017 1,029

Venezuela 2,161 2,292 2,121 1,857 1,728

Latin America 77,213 84,755 89,33 96,612 102,203

North America 536,431 568,968 591,487 607,999 604,484

Source: SCIMAGO, 2014. Available in:http://www.scimagojr.com/compare.php?un=countries&c1=SR&c2=UY&c3=VE&c4=Latin%20

America&area=0&category=0&in=it.

Note: Compare for Documents; All Subject Area; All Subject Categories.


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Some factors may explain the increase of scientific production iSome factors may explain the increase of scientific production in Southn South

America:America:

a)a) Investments in Science and TechnologyInvestments in Science and Technology -- in South America, mainly inin South America, mainly inBrazil, since 2004Brazil, since 2004 itit waswas increasedincreased investments in Science andinvestments in Science and

TechnologyTechnology -- U$ 27.69 billion dollars.U$ 27.69 billion dollars.

Argentina, for example, had performed a sustained growth duringArgentina, for example, had performed a sustained growth duringlast ten years, and in 2011 recorded an investment of U$ 4.63 bilast ten years, and in 2011 recorded an investment of U$ 4.63 billionllion

dollars (RICYT, 2013).dollars (RICYT, 2013).


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Some factors may explain the increase of scientific production iSome factors may explain the increase of scientific production in Southn South

America:America:

b) The increase in the number of researchers:b) The increase in the number of researchers:

Some countries, like Brazil, has experienced an important growthSome countries, like Brazil, has experienced an important growth ofof

the number of researcher over 2002the number of researcher over 2002--2011, starting with around 822011, starting with around 82

thousand researchers and achieving almost 80% more in 2011.thousand researchers and achieving almost 80% more in 2011.Argentina, meanwhile, shows sustained growth following theArgentina, meanwhile, shows sustained growth following the

evolution of their investment in research and development (R&D).evolution of their investment in research and development (R&D).

Colombia increased from 5,200 to 8,600 researchers (RICYT, 2013)Colombia increased from 5,200 to 8,600 researchers (RICYT, 2013)..

This increase mayThis increase may influenceinfluence the total number of scientific papersthe total number of scientific papers

published and the partnership increase among South Americanpublished and the partnership increase among South American

researches.researches.


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Figure 2: Production of scientific papers in partnerships with organizations of higher education of South America countries with other countries.


12/18Source: SCOPUS database (2014).

Figure 1 - Production of scientific articles in partnerships with organizations of higher education in the countries of South America.


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4.1 Patent applications:4.1 Patent applications:

Through the database Espacenet were recovered 2,202 documents frThrough the database Espacenet were recovered 2,202 documents framed inamed inthe conception of the university as patent applicant.the conception of the university as patent applicant.

For universities from South American countries, data shows the fFor universities from South American countries, data shows the followingollowing

numbers of applications: Brazil (1,762); Chile (212); Argentinanumbers of applications: Brazil (1,762); Chile (212); Argentina (123); and,(123); and,

Colombia (86). Other countries, have a low number of applicationColombia (86). Other countries, have a low number of application, as Ecuador, as Ecuador

(two applications and both are national universities without ind(two applications and both are national universities without indication ofication ofpartnerships); Uruguay (with five results, in which only two unipartnerships); Uruguay (with five results, in which only two universitiesversities

indicated as applicants, and partnering with foundation and / orindicated as applicants, and partnering with foundation and / or publicpublic

institution). Data from Venezuela indicates a partnership with ainstitution). Data from Venezuela indicates a partnership with a privateprivatefoundation.foundation.


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The main universities partnerships occurs with foundations (publThe main universities partnerships occurs with foundations (public or private)ic or private)

or government institutions, following by private sector, local uor government institutions, following by private sector, local universities,niversities,foreign universities outside South America and foreign universitforeign universities outside South America and foreign universities from Southies from South

America.America.


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Figure 3: Survey results of patent applications (by holders) from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia university

institutions, from 2008 to 2012.

Source: Own elaboration based on the result of the Espacenet database.Note: (1) Non South America Universities; (2) South American Universities.


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Conclusions:Conclusions:

In fact, this investigation found some advances in the South AmeIn fact, this investigation found some advances in the South Americanrican

universitiesuniversities, in, in thethe scopescope ofof knowledgeknowledge productionproduction andand innovationinnovation effortsefforts..

ThereThere isis anan increaseincrease ofof interactionsinteractions betweenbetween universitiesuniversities fromfrom thethe

continentcontinent,, mainlymainly relatedrelated toto scientificscientific collaborationcollaboration,, leadingleading byby BrazilBrazil..

However,However, technologicaltechnological indicatorsindicators ((numbernumber ofof applicationapplication patentspatents)) revealreveal

thatthat the main universities partnerships occurs with foundations (publthe main universities partnerships occurs with foundations (public oric or

private) or government institutions. Partnerships with the privaprivate) or government institutions. Partnerships with the private sectorte sector

is low if compared to developed countries.is low if compared to developed countries.

So, one of the challenges for the South American universities isSo, one of the challenges for the South American universities is to tuneto tune

their technological and scientific knowledge with the productivetheir technological and scientific knowledge with the productive sector.sector.


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Conclusions:Conclusions:

Strengthening interactions between industry and universities isStrengthening interactions between industry and universities is aa

strategic instrument for regional and national innovation, econostrategic instrument for regional and national innovation, economicmic

growth and competitiveness.growth and competitiveness.

In this sense, some efforts are important to highlight, as legisIn this sense, some efforts are important to highlight, as legislations andlations and

governmental actions to promote innovation, as the Brazilian Inngovernmental actions to promote innovation, as the Brazilian Innovationovation

Law (Brazil, 2004), and educational training programs, providedLaw (Brazil, 2004), and educational training programs, provided byby

Intellectual Property and Innovation Academia, from the BraziliaIntellectual Property and Innovation Academia, from the Braziliann

National Industrial Property Office (INPI).National Industrial Property Office (INPI).


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Thank you !Thank you !

Contacts: [email protected]: [email protected]