Introduction of innovations in the industrial structure of a developing region: The case of the Porto Alegre Technopole ‘HomeBrokers’ Project

This paper focuses on the ‘HomeBrokers’ project developed by the Porto Alegre Technopole in Brazil. This project operated from May 1998 to December 1999 in a pilot phase. Its service addressed the socio-economic significance of small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), which largely thrive on traditional technologies, and the need to promote the innovation culture among such enterprises. A major challenge in this respect has been bridging the traditional gap between the researchers/academics and the small- and medium-size entrepreneurs. In developing countries like Brazil, creating a good environment for innovation to occur across the economic spectrum and for a robust and sustainable industrial base to emerge would call for policy provision aimed at fostering the transformation of traditional sector activities, especially the SMEs, by enabling them to interact with and learn from high-technology-based enterprises. This is important as SMEs contribute significantly to regional employment.