Entre canetas, chapéus e cofres: navegando no funcionamento e no financiamento dos laboratórios de inovação no setor público

Abstract

Innovation laboratories are essential for promoting modernization and efficiency in public services, being fundamental for the development of innovative and adaptable solutions to societal needs. A knowledge gap is observed regarding sustainable financing strategies for these spaces, especially concerning elements that facilitate or hinder access to resources. Given this scenario, research gaps emerge regarding the structure and dynamics of these laboratories, specifically the need to understand the factors that favor and hinder the financing of innovation laboratories in the Brazilian public sector, considering their different sources and financing modalities. Additionally, the research identifies a need to investigate how this information can support the development of practical guidelines for sustainable resource acquisition strategies. The general objective consisted of analyzing the factors that favor and hinder the financing of innovation laboratories in the Brazilian public sector. Specific objectives included analyzing the different financing sources used by public sector innovation laboratories, mapping the organizational profile of InovaGO Network laboratories, and proposing the creation of a guide with recommendations for financing practices for public sector innovation laboratories. Methodologically, a qualitative approach was adopted, with primary data collection through ten semi-structured interviews conducted with managers of public sector innovation laboratories from the InovaGO Network. Data analysis was performed using content analysis techniques, enabling an in-depth understanding of challenges and opportunities related to financing these spaces. The analysis identified thirteen facilitating factors and ten hindering factors for financing, in addition to four main strategies for resource acquisition. Facilitating factors accounted for 57.9% of citations, demonstrating that laboratories have developed more favorable elements for financing than obstacles. The study revealed a structural tension where laboratories demonstrate the capacity to generate concrete results but remain structurally dependent on a single financing source. As a Technical-Technological Product (PTT), a guide with recommendations for financing practices for public sector innovation laboratories was created.