Title: Innovation systems and sustainability: an approach for regional clustering and MNCs subsidiaries

Authors: Walter Leal Filho; Rita Santos; Evando Mirra

Addresses: Research and Transfer Centre, Applications of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Fakultät Life Sciences/Faculty of Life Sciences, Lohbruegger Kirchstrasse 65, Sector S4/Room 0.38, 21033 Hamburg, Germany. ' Kungliska Tekniska Högskolan (KTH), Department of Urban Planning and Environment, Dr. Kristinas väg 30, 1st floor, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. ' Brazilian Center for Strategic Studies and Management in Science, Technology and Innovation (CGEE), SCN Quadra 2, Bloco A, Ed. Corporate Financial Center, 11° andar, Sala 1102, CEP 70712-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil

Abstract: Innovation systems significantly contribute to the goals of sustainable development. Observed at the regional level, innovation systems show a tendency that exists in technology intensive production to become spatially concentrated in clusters, allowing the enterprises to have a higher degree of specialisation, collective efficiency and competitive advantage. This paper aims to analyse knowledge interactions for sustainability-oriented regional innovation systems. It is empirically examined in the context of the regional innovation system of Campinas, which represents Brazil's leading telecom agglomeration, fostered by governmental policies, endogenous efforts by the region's scientific institutions, equally by extra sources such as the setup of subsidiaries of multinational corporations (MNCs). The results from this study may assist in both innovation systems research and sustainability policy making, especially in emerging economies.

Keywords: innovation systems; linkages; multinational corporations; MNCs; MNC subsidiaries; regional development; environment; sustainability; sustainable development; regional clusters; Brazil; emerging economies.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2012.044787

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.9 No.1, pp.56 - 73

Published online: 18 Sep 2014 *

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