O modelo de eficácia contingente de transferência de tecnologia de bozeman: estudo da experiência de escolas de agricultura de universidades no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos da América

Abstract

The interaction between university and enterprise (U-E) generates benefits such as the stimulus to economic development (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000; Siegel, Waldman, & Link, 2003). Technologies in the fields of agriculture and agribusiness are relevant, among other factors, for increased consumption of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO] (2014) and predictions, as for Brazil, of higher consumption of its main international markets (Brasil, 2013). This study proposed to the improvement of the application of Contingent Effectiveness Model of Technology Transfer (TT) of Bozeman (2000) in the process of TT, from colleges of Agriculture of American and Brazilian universities to enterprises. The model differs from other TT models, essentially for performing more fully organized and thoroughly, allowing a detailed description of TT and its effects, such as those related to market, economic, development political and scientific and technical human capital aspects, aiming at greater efficiency. The research is also justified by effects of model studies on TT in the field and in universities of different countries. The United States features indicators of international innovation higher than Brazil, such as those published by the World Economic Forum [WEF] (2015), including U-E collaboration. Therefore, the research was based on the question: “How can the Contingent Effectiveness Model of TT be enhanced in technology transfer processes of Colleges of Agriculture in Brazil and the United States to enterprises?” This is a qualitative research and multiple case study (Yin, 2001; Eisenhardt, 1989), addressing the application of the Bozeman model in TT of Colleges of Agriculture: two cases of American universities and one case of a Brazilian university, selected by criteria such as excellence, accessibility and similarities of technology nature. Field research and data analysis permeated into the research construct based on model assumptions and others added by the author, according to a literature review. The data collected from various sources, including interviews with respondents from universities and receiving organizations, were triangulated and analyzed in its uniqueness and crisscross (Creswel, 2014), obeying the prerogative that case studies should be analyzed in their contexts (Yin, 2001; Denzin, 1994). On the results and contributions, we highlight the application of the model (1) thoroughly, considering the dimensions and efficiency criteria from the perspective of the main actors and with the addition of assumptions of national and international literature in TT; (2) covering the object of TT ‘cultivars’, something not mentioned in the model and considered within the framework of both countries, a great social value; (3) contemplating different scenarios, which consider aspects such as peculiarities of National Systems of Innovation (NSI). The application of the model allowed characterizing innovations and verifying benefits of TT to universities and receiving organizations, beyond the comprehension of factors of macro-context on U-E interaction, highlighted by Closs and Ferreira (2012) as needed. NSI in the United States contributes to TT to be less costly and more desirable. Furthermore, the application of the model allowed its improvement from assumptions drawn from the latest literature empirically investigated, in addition to evidence that expands perception of TT effects of universities contributing to more effective targeting of related actions.