Title: Innovation management of internationalised IT companies in Brazil and Portugal

Authors: Simone Galina; Luisa Carvalho; Teresa Costa

Addresses: School of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto/FEA-RP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-905, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil ' Universidade Aberta, Rua Braamcamp, 90, piso 5 – 1250-052, Lisboa, Portugal; Center for Advanced Studies in Management and Economics of the Universidade de Évora (CEFAGE-UE), Palácio do Vimioso (Gab. 224), Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal ' Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, College of Business Administration, Campus do IPS, Estefanilha, 2914-503 Setúbal, Portugal

Abstract: Internationalised companies in innovative industry need to create means to innovate no matter the country they are from, because globe is the competitive arena for all. Thus, internationalised IT companies from both developing and developed economies must carry out similar innovation management. However, studies comparing countries in different stages of development are scarce. Through an exploratory approach, this study compares the process of innovation management of four international IT companies from an emergent economy (Brazil) and a small-developed economy (Portugal). The results suggest some differences: Brazilian firms present a more undeveloped way to manage both intellectual property and their internal structures of R&D, while Portuguese companies implies higher investment in R&D and a faster and earlier process of internationalisation. Thus, this study contributes to a reflection on the traditional innovation model through the perspective of country of origin and of the impact of companies' internationalisation on their innovation process.

Keywords: innovation management; internationalisation; IT industry; information technology; case study; Brazil; Portugal; R&D structure; R&D investment; international companies; innovative firms; R&D management; intellectual property; international partnerships; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2016.080877

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, 2016 Vol.7 No.4, pp.317 - 335

Received: 12 Aug 2016
Accepted: 12 Aug 2016
Published online: 09 Dec 2016 *

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