Technology Foresight on Emerging Technologies: Implications for a National Innovation Initiative in Brazil

Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida; Carlos Augusto Caldas de Moraes; Maria Angela Campelo de Melo

doi:10.4067/S0718-27242015000200013

Authors

Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
Carlos Augusto Caldas de Moraes Candido Mendes University
Maria Angela Campelo de Melo Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242015000200013

Keywords:

technology foresight, emerging technologies, national innovation initiative, national innovation system, biotechnology, nanotechnology, ICT, Brazil

Abstract

Prospective studies about emerging technologies and their implications for public policy formulation indicate critical choices ranging from global to national level, even to the individual firm or institution. Emerging technologies have been shaping the future of some industries and transforming many others. In many cases, these technologies will determine the restructuring of industries as never before. Specially designed for enabling better planning and future decisions, technology foresight (TF) methods are used to foresee diffusion of innovations, mapping out commercially viable roadmaps for technological development. This paper is concerned with a methodological instrument adopted in Brazil as support for building the Agenda for a National Innovation Initiative (NII), which was articulated by government, universities, R&D institutions, and private firms. It presents and discusses an integrated methodological approach for a TF study, specially designed for the purpose of this Brazilian innovation policy instrument, concerning three emerging technologies – nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and communication technologies (ICT).

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Author Biographies

Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Assistant Professor of Post-Graduation Program in Metrology for Quality and Innovation at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). She has a PhD degree in Industrial Engineering at PUC-Rio, a M.Sc degree in Innovation and Technology Management at University of Manchester (England) and a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) in Information Science and Competitive Intelligence from Université Aix-Marseille III (France). Since 2005, Dr. Almeida has been working as a technical consultant for industrial and government projects focusing on standardization, innovation and sustainability issues, and technological forecasting for S,T&I studies.

Carlos Augusto Caldas de Moraes, Candido Mendes University

Assistant Professor of Master Program on Business Economics at Candido Mendes University. He has a Ph.D. degree in Production Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), MS. in Management from MIT Sloan School (USA), and two BS degrees in Brazil: Civil Engineering from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and Business Administration in from State University of Rio de Janeiro, respectively. His professional interests lie in innovation management; S,T&I strategic studies, and business strategy.

Maria Angela Campelo de Melo, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Ph.D. in Social Systems Sciences from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. M.Sc. degree in Systems Analysis and its Applications from Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) and BSc. in Civil Engineering from Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). Currently, she is Member of the Board Assembly of Associação Faculdades Católicas, sponsor of the Pontifícal Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), and an Associate Professor of IAG, the Business School of PUC-Rio. Her areas of interest include: planning and organization of sociotechnical systems, strategic planning; policy and management of CT&I, focusing on the following themes: planning process, adaptive planning, and socio-technological approach.