Abstract
Co-production in public administration is essential for increasing societal participation in shaping impactful public policies. This chapter delves into the evolution and impact of the new research and innovation arrangements program (NAPI) in Paraná, Brazil. NAPI, an innovative approach, fosters networks for co-producing knowledge and innovation to address state challenges, rooted in the common principle. At the core of NAPI lies the iAraucária digital platform, harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline resource coordination among stakeholders in regional innovation systems, thereby nurturing research and innovation projects aligned with regional needs. Since its inception, NAPI has spurred the formation of over 60 arrangements, involving more than 4,000 participants in collaborative networks. Noteworthy outcomes include increased precision in research and innovation funding, the cultivation of stronger ties among ecosystem actors, and risk mitigation in public policy co-production, all making substantial contributions to Paraná's sustainable development.
TopIntroduction
The socioeconomic advancement of nations and regions is deeply anchored in Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I). The 1988 Brazilian Constitution marked a significant step in this direction by advocating for the decentralization of research management and funding. This strategic shift aimed to empower each Brazilian state to foster and manage research and innovation within its territories, leading to the establishment of various State Research Support Foundations (FAPs). These FAPs have emerged as decentralized catalysts for support in ST&I, becoming essential instruments for scientific and technological progress across Brazil.
Present in each of Brazil's 27 federal units, the FAPs are instrumental in local evolution, aligning with the national ST&I system to induce structural transformations in regional economies. Their role extends beyond merely training researchers; it encompasses the promotion and dissemination of research and innovation. This effort is fundamental in promoting a balance between innovation, economic growth, and the valorization of cultural and resource peculiarities in different regions. As noted by Da Silva, Howells, and Meyer (2018), and Shearmur, Carrincazeaux, and Doloreux (2016), regional innovation policies are crucial at both local and national levels, balancing innovation, economic growth, and the recognition of each region's cultural and resource peculiarities. In this context, FAPs play a critical role in regional development by planning and implementing research funding mechanisms and fostering the development of relational capital. The FAPs' initiatives, thus, not only contribute to the advancement of scientific and technological capabilities but also strengthen the relational networks essential for sustainable regional development.
In the State of Paraná, Brazil, the Araucária Foundation has taken on the critical role of stimulating the development of the ST&I system. Traditionally, the foundation operated on a conventional model, relying on public calls for research and innovation project funding. Although efficient, this process faced substantial challenges in understanding and addressing the specific needs of the territory for effective development through ST&I. This complexity becomes apparent when considering the large number of Ph.D. holders (over 20,000 residing in the territory) and other key players in the innovation ecosystem, including the infrastructure available in university laboratories and innovation centers.
The Araucária Foundation recognized the need to restructure its operational model to tackle three main challenges. The first was understanding the territorial needs and identifying the state's science and technology potential. The second challenge, in line with the findings of Audretsch and Link (2019) and Hoffecker (2019), involved the complexity of regional innovation ecosystems, requiring better integration among various actors to effectively co-produce research and innovation. The third challenge lay in the governance of collaborative research and innovation arrangements, primarily due to the distance between actors in research and innovation initiatives.
To address these challenges, the Araucária Foundation in Paraná, Brazil, implemented a new model called the New Research and Innovation Arrangements (NAPIs). Inspired by Hess and Ostrom's (2005) model of co-production of common goods (or commons), NAPIs aim to facilitate collective actions of innovation and modernization within the state. A NAPI is perceived as a collective of agents with aligned goals and visions, dedicated to developing innovative solutions through co-production. This model marks a significant step forward in promoting regional development based on ST&I, fostering the co-production of knowledge and innovation among researchers and other actors in Paraná's innovation system.
In this context, the role of digital platforms and artificial intelligence is paramount. Digital platforms serve as arenas where diverse actors can converge, collaborate, and share resources and ideas (Ansell and Torfing, 2021). They not only facilitate interaction among participants but also provide infrastructure for data, project, and resource management (De Reuver; Sørensen; Basole, 2017; Parker; Alstyne; Choudary, 2016). Artificial intelligence adds an additional layer of analysis and pattern recognition, aiding in decision-making and identifying innovation opportunities. This leads to a more efficient and targeted approach to research and innovation, in line with the state's actual needs.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Expertise Locator Systems: Digital tools designed to identify and connect individuals or experts with specific knowledge or skills within a specific context (APQC, 2015; Balog et al., 2012; Ehrlich and Shami, 2008 ; Young, 2020 ).
Digital Plataforms: Online infrastructures that facilitate interactions, transactions, and the exchange of information between users or entities in a digital environment. ( De Reuver; Sørensen; Basole, 2017 ; Parker; Alstyne; Choudary, 2016; Ansell and Torfing, 2021).
Commons: Shared resources or assets, often held collectively by a community or group, where access, usage, and management are governed by agreed-upon rules to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution ( Hess and Ostrom, 2005 ; Ostrom, 1996; Marques, 2020 ).
Quadruple Helix: Collaborative innovation model involving government, academia, industry, and civil society working together to drive socioeconomic development and innovation in a region or ecosystem ( Leydesdorff; Smith, 2022 )
New Research and Innovation Arrangements: A collective of agents with aligned goals and visions, dedicated to developing innovative solutions through co-production (Dos Anjos, 2023).
Co-Productive Governance: A collaborative approach to decision-making and public administration in which government authorities work closely with different stakeholders to jointly design and deliver public services and policies, fostering active participation and shared responsibility in governance processes ( Wyborn, 2015 ; Van Kerkhoff; Lebbel, 2015)
Co-Production: Co-production is a collaborative process in which multiple individuals or entities work together to create or produce something, typically involving the active participation and contributions of all involved parties ( Parks et al., 1980 ; Brandsen; Honingh, 2015 ; Marques, 2020 ; Ostrom, 1990 ; Pestoff, 2006 )