The intermediary role of junior enterprises in university-industry interaction: the case of Santa Catarina

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how junior enterprises (JE) act as agents of university-industry interaction in the state of Santa Catarina. To this end, a study was carried out with the Federação Catarinense de Empresas Juniores in two stages. First, interviews were conducted with individuals in charge of directing and managing the JE. From the data of the interviews, a questionnaire was applied with the Santa Catarina's JEs. As a main result, it was possible to identify two main forms of interaction between JEs and companies and also the main benefits for U-I. The need to stimulate the creation and development of the JEs is highlighted, since they have an important role as intermediaries of the U-I relationship. As a contribution, it is pointed out that the performance of an agent mediating the U-I relationship, although far from solving the structural problems of T&C in fragmented systems, can create a fertile environment in ideas and projects that contribute to alleviate the institutional deficiencies typical of developing countries development. In addition to bringing U-I closer, the JEs consolidate the learning process, improving the skills and abilities of future professionals. With relatively few resources, it is possible to create mechanisms that induce permanent interaction between researchers and entrepreneurs, in order to implement a culture of searching for new ways to combine old factors.