Análise de desempenho do Núcleo de Inovação Tecnológica INOVA/UFPB à luz do Marco Legal da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Lei nº 13.243/2016)

Abstract

To foster national innovation, Brazil enacted the Innovation Law (Law No. 10,973/2004), which established Technological Innovation Centers within Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Institutions. Initially tasked with managing institutional innovation policies, these centers gained expanded responsibilities under Law No. 13,243/2016, strengthening their role in strategic innovation management. Despite these advances, implementation still faces institutional challenges, including limited recognition of innovation’s importance, bureaucratic barriers, and insufficient human resources. This study evaluates the performance of the Innovation Center at the Federal University of Paraíba (INOVA/UFPB) in the national context following the 2016 Legal Framework for Science, Technology, and Innovation. A literature review on obstacles and benefits associated with the legislation was conducted, alongside a case study based on institutional document analysis. Findings indicate that INOVA/UFPB possesses structural conditions supporting autonomy and exhibits strong performance in invention patents, ranking first nationally for two consecutive years. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including limited program visibility and difficulties in providing training and mentoring. A SWOT analysis guided the center’s evaluation, leading to proposed improvement actions, such as establishing innovation residency programs and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. In conclusion, while INOVA/UFPB shows significant potential for knowledge generation and technology transfer, its further development depends on addressing institutional obstacles, expanding partnerships, and enhancing market engagement.