Title: The Brazilian system of innovation for bioethanol: a case study on the strategic role of the standardisation process

Authors: Taynah Lopes de Souza, Lia Hasenclever

Addresses: National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (Inmetro), Av. Nossa Senhora das Gracas 50, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ' Institute of Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IE/UFRJ), Av. Pasteur 250, Praia Vermelha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a case study on the importance of the standardisation process for the Brazilian system of innovation for bioethanol. It shows evidence of the strategic role played by the state in helping industry to enjoy the opportunities opened during a paradigmatic change, through sound investments on R&D and innovation. More recently, the standardisation process has been gaining increased attention, in face of the strategy of transforming the product into an international commodity. The main contribution of this paper is then the provision of a broader understanding of the importance of standardisation in this process and its relation to national systems of innovation.

Keywords: national systems of innovation; paradigmatic change; bioethanol; bioenergy; commodity; standards; standardisation process; Brazil; national innovation systems; biofuels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2011.039771

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2011 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.341 - 356

Published online: 18 Apr 2011 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article