Contribuições da produção e formas de atuação das instituções de ensino superior para o desenvolvimento regional: uma proposta de modelo interativo

Abstract

This thesis proposes an interactive model of the role of higher education institutions for regional development involving strategic articulations and regional innovation systems. The model proposes to establish articulation between higher education institutions, the business and governmental environments. This dynamic occurs through the strategic articulation of the outputs of higher education institutions to the regions where they are installed. University outputs are monitored by the elements of logistic processes, network and a new articulation that feedback good practices, new knowledge and lessons learned by the experiences of social actors. This process is underpinned by a regional innovation system that provides the necessary elements for building, applying and disseminating knowledge in regional contexts. Thus, the development coming from university outputs promotes stimulations to the cultural and business environment, boosting the economies and modifying local structures. In order to reach this model, a bibliographic research was carried out and sought to identify proposals for models and frameworks of the contributions of higher education institutions to regional development, as well as empirical evidences from the field. The qualitative-quantitative research had the state of Alagoas, Brazil, as the geographical scope. Eighteen interviews were conducted with people linked to higher education institutions, government and companies. Regarding the interviewees from the academic sphere, deans or vice deans were selected. At the governmental level those responsible for state secretaries, directly related to development were selected. Finally, companies that maintain or maintained close relationships with higher education institutions were chosen. In parallel, a 35-item questionnaire was made available electronically to respondents from the same spheres to verify the contributions of higher education institutions to the development of the state of Alagoas. A total of 586 responses were obtained. Data analyzes were triangulated using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as content analysis. The results reveal the existence of university products perceived in the state of Alagoas, though disarticulated. Also, a new product called social was identified and incorporated into the university products. Respondents pointed to the leading role of higher education institutions in the dynamics of regional development, presenting the combinations of contracted research and trained labor, technology diffusion and education, new knowledge and new products and businesses as relevant in this process. The quantitative research showed divergence in relation to the mean in all spheres and qualitative research, through the triangulation of data, observed that these differences may be due to communication failure, temporality and prejudice. The verification of the model from the perspective of the academic, business and governmental environment found validation having from the respondent‟s suggestions, the inclusion of a social organization as a mediator of the articulation between the spheres and the addition of social products.