Environmental Configuration and Innovation: Different Impacts in the Measurement of the Innovative Process in Brazil and in its States

ABSTRACT

This article aims to demonstrate that environmental variables can assume differentiated values over a given period and associate themselves to form configurations of different contexts. Knowing the possible configurations of the organizational environment, we are able to identify which indicators are most appropriate to measure innovation, thus meeting the basic condition to manage innovation: to measure accurately the phenomenon under analysis. Thus, with the empirical data analysis from Brazil and the states of São Paulo, Paraná and Sergipe, we are able to highlight and characterize the different environmental configurations and their reflexes for the innovation measurement process. It should be emphasized that the environmental configuration appears as a relevant factor that must be considered in the process of measurement and management of innovation aiming at competitiveness.

Keywords:
Environmental configuration; Innovation; Competitiveness; Indicators; Environmental variables

RESUMO

Este artigo objetiva demonstrar que as variáveis ambientais podem assumir valores diferenciados ao longo de um determinado período e se associarem de forma a compor configurações de contextos distintos. Conhecendo-se as possíveis configurações do ambiente organizacional é possível identificar quais indicadores se mostram mais apropriados para mensurar a inovação, atendendo-se desta forma à condição basilar para gerir a inovação: mensurar com acerto o fenômeno em análise. Assim, com a análise de dados empíricos do Brasil e dos estados de São Paulo, Paraná e Sergipe foi possível evidenciar e caracterizar as diferentes configurações ambientais e seus reflexos para o processo de mensuração da inovação. Destaca-se que a configuração ambiental se mostra como fator relevante que deve ser considerado no processo de mensuração e gestão da inovação visando à competitividade.

Palavras-chave:
Configuração ambiental; Inovação; Competitividade; Indicadores; Variáveis ambientais

1. INTRODUCTION

Various studies seek to characterize which factors have the greatest impact on the treatment of innovation. And among those found in the literature, the environment stands out. However, despite numerous discussions about the influence of the environment on innovation (DAMANPOUR, 1996; TIDD, 2001; MANUAL de OSLO, 2005; ZHANG; MAJID; FOO, 2011; TSUJA; MARIÑO, 2013), very little about this influence has been effectively portrayed in scientific studies (FAGERBERG, 2004; RIBEIRO; CHEROBIM, 2017a).

The restrictive and deterministic character of the environment is evidenced from the conception of the contingency theory, which has a strong influence on organizations and their strategies for achieving survival. However, we observe in the literature that the influence of the environmental context is generally treated in a generic way, without characterizing its specificities. The various characteristics attributed to the environment that make it difficult to address are commonly observed. These include complexity, dynamics, uncertainty, unpredictability and volatility (RIBEIRO; CHEROBIM, 2017a). Although these adjectives are very pertinent, we note that they are comprehensive, generalist and linked to any environment.

Regardless of the type of environment, organizations are faced with the challenge of knowing and understanding environmental contingencies so that they can create and leverage innovation (LI; ATUAHENE-GIMA, 2001; TIDD, 2001), understood as the successful application and exploitation of an idea, even if the novelty is only at the local level (MANUAL DE OSLO, 2005). However, it is difficult to have an effective conception of the environment without knowing its parts, characterized by environmental variables and configurations. Thus, in this article we seek to answer the following research question: do environmental variables assume different values over time and conform differently, providing different environmental configurations?

By characterizing the dynamicity of variables and the possibilities of environmental configurations, understanding and managing the interaction of the environment and innovation becomes less complex. This paper aims to demonstrate that environmental variables assume differentiated values over a given period and correlate in a way to configure different contexts. Knowing the possible configurations of the environment is important in order to exploit innovation in competitive organizational strategy.

Thus, we justify this study by seeking to present empirical elements to reduce some of the gaps with practical application results, these include: 1) the absence of studies effectively considering the relationship of the environment to the innovation process; and 2) the lack of evidence that environmental variables or factors can correlate in order to shape certain configurations that impact innovation and require more adequate indicators for their measurement. We use data from environmental variables related to Brazil and the states of São Paulo, Paraná and Sergipe, which have differentiated degrees of innovation.

2. THE CONCEPTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

In an objective way, environment is all that we find outside a system, which is conceived as a set of interacting and interdependent parts that relate to a common goal (BERTALANFFY, 1968). The environment concerns the various social and physical factors that influence the organizational decision-making process and that are beyond the limits of the organization (McGEE; SAWYERR, 2003).

Tsuja and Mariño (2013) define environment as a set of external factors that interact causing reflections in the organization. These factors are characterized by uncertainty and complexity. For these authors uncertain environment is where frequent changes occur in the external variables that impact the organization. However, the complex environment is characterized by covering a large number of external variables that influence the organization.

Another characteristic of the environment, according to Duncan (1972), is the dynamicity, described as the speed of changes in environmental variables in a given period of time. As environmental conditions change rapidly and constantly, another typical feature of the environment emerges: volatility. Therefore, uncertainty, complexity, dynamicity and volatility are the main characteristics of the organizational environment.

The environment impacts the organizational dynamics and strategy (DAMANPOUR, 1996; TIDD, 2001), and understanding it with its attributes is fundamental for the organization to remain in the market (MOYSÉS FILHO et al., 2010). Therefore, their strategies must be thought and conducted considering the necessity of the homeostasis, so that the organizational survival is guaranteed. And one of the strategies in this sense is the environmental mapping (HAMBRICK, 1982; ZHANG; MAJID; FOO, 2011), which provides the information necessary for the actions of organizations.

In addition to environmental mapping, we need to know and understand the dimensions of the environment: 1) microenvironment: task or domain environment; and 2) macroenvironment: remote environment. The first type is significant and has a direct impact on the organization's tasks and results and includes consumers, suppliers, competitors and other stakeholders. The other type, which is also important, has an indirect and long-term impact, including economic, educational, social, cultural, technological and legal variables (MANUAL DE OSLO, 2005; MOYSÉS FILHO et al., 2010; MYBURGH, 2004).

3. CHARACTERIZATION OF INNOVATION

Despite the various models of innovation, its concept has always revolved around the application of knowledge that adds value to something. For Schumpeter (1939) innovation is a function based on creative thinking and action, where products and consumption habits are replaced by new ones; innovation is everything that differentiates and gives value to a business. With the Oslo Manual (2005), the concept of innovation was expanded, characterized as the implementation of a new or significantly improved product, a process, a new marketing method, or the implementation of a new organizational method in business practices, in the workplace organization or in external relations.

It is true that the creative action of innovation gives the organization the ability to produce new products and services. In meeting the needs of the market, innovation expands organizational competitiveness. This is the reason for the increase in the number of studies on innovation and its impact on productivity and competitiveness (SANTOS; VASCONCELOS; DE LUCA, 2013).

To better understand innovation, it is important to situate it in the context where it occurs and its scope. In this sense, innovation presents differentiated characteristics if analyzed at company, regional or national level (MANKIW, 2003). This segmentation has a consistent impact on internal and external factors (environmental context) related to the creation, application and diffusion of innovation, such as human resources (CASSIOLATO; LASTRES, 2000), markets (BARNEY, 1991; PORTER, 2008), institutional conditions (SCHUMPETER, 1939), political and economic aspects (SILVA; DA SILVA; MOTTA, 2012).

The literature presents several types of innovation (RIBEIRO; CHEROBIM, 2017b), but the radical and incremental types proposed by Schumpeter (1939), still predominate on a consolidated basis. Regardless of type, it is paramount to identify secure ways of measuring innovation. Although there is no universal tool for measuring innovation and competitiveness (FREEMAN; SOETE, 2007), a positive way of reducing uncertainties as measurement goes through the understanding of how the environment influences them. In this aspect, the understanding of the behavior of the environmental variables and the way of conforming are presented as basilar for the management of innovation.

4. METHODOLOGY

We use the exploratory and descriptive research strategy in this study. To make them operational, we conduct a bibliographical research, through the EBSCO host platform database and the journal portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - CAPES, and bibliometric analyzes, using the public databases described in Table 1.

Table 1
Public data sources

Variables	Public database
Economic	Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics – IBGE; Institute of Applied Economic Research – IPEA; Central Bank of Brazil– BCB; Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communica tions – MCTI; Ministry of Labor and Employment – MTE; Economic Research Institute Foundation – FIPE; Annual Report of Social Information – RAIS; Worker Support Fund – FAT; National Confede ration of Industry – CNI; Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo – FIESP; Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná – FIEP; Federation of Industries of the State of Sergipe – FIES; and Observatory of Sergipe.
Educational	Ministry of Education – MEC; National Develo pment Fund for Education – FNDE; The National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Aní sio Teixeira – INEP; Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – CAPES; and Ob servatory of Sergipe.
Social	Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics – IBGE; Ministry of Labor and Employment; Annual Report of Social Information – RAIS; and Observa tory of Sergipe.

Source: The authors, 2016.

We conduct an empirical research through the secondary data analysis, characterizing as the analysis of data previously collected and tabulated by other sources (BHATTACHERJEE, 2012). We collected the data from the research's focus areas: Brazil, São Paulo, Paraná and Sergipe. The choice of the Brazil unit is due to the globalized approach of the variables. We selected the states based on their general characteristics of innovation, reflected in the competitiveness (EXAME, 2015), and the accessibility to the statistical data of the environmental variables.

Regarding the diversity of environmental variables (MANUAL DE OSLO, 2005; MOYSÉS FILHO et al., 2010; MYBURGH, 2004), these can be synthesized in: economic, educational (including technological), social (encompassing cultural) and political (which encompass legal variables). In this research, we disregard the political variables for two reasons: 1) in the period of the study there was no alternation of the political group that commanded the country; and 2) the political variables do not show constancy of publication and reliability. Therefore, the environmental variables we considered are: economic, educational and social.

In the literature review we verify the absence of studies dealing with the relation between the environmental configuration and innovation and its indicators regarding the reflexes in the measurement process. In order to achieve the objective of this study, we establish two research hypotheses:

H1 - The environmental variables - economic, educational and social - can assume different values over a given period ranging from extremely positive positions to extremely negative positions and can correlate with each other; and

H2 - The correlation of the economic, educational and social variables, in their different forms (ranging from positive to negative), results in eight distinct environmental configurations.

We selected the indicators used to measure the value of each of the environmental variables from public databases. The database were built with annualized and available data. The result was comprised of 15 indicators available for each of the studied variables.

For the analysis of the H1 hypothesis, data were collected on the indicators referring to the variables in the Brazilian scope, allowing for a broad and generic analysis. For the H2 hypothesis, the data were collected deal with the indicators of the states selected for the research. The variables and indicators are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2
Indicators of the environmental variables used in the research

Environmental Variables	Indicators
Economic variable	Trade balance; Inflation; Number of patent filings; GDP; Gross value of industrial production; Con sumption of cement; S&T Expenditures; Public debt; Trademark Application; Average worker’s income; Employed population; Average household income; Number of deposits of computer programs; Economically active population; Unemployment rate.
Educational Variable	Enrollment rate; Number of higher education ins titutions; Number of years of school lag; Number of faculty with PhD (higher education); Number of faculty in higher education; Illiteracy rate, aged 10+; Graduates in doctor degree; Graduates in master’s degree; Number of graduate scholarships; Number of students completing higher education; Rate of youth served at school; Functional illiteracy rate; Number of graduate scholarships with concept 5; Number of years of study – people aged 25+; Number of face-to-face courses.
Social Variables	Gini Coefficient; Coverage of garbage collection; Sanitation coverage; Absolute poverty; Total popu lation; Number of available jobs; Number of phy sicians per inhabitant; Household rate with water supply; Household rate of precarious housing situ ation; Rate of urban lighting; Household rate with all essential services; Rate of urbanization; Rate of population participation; Theil Index – distribution inequality amongst individuals according to per capita income; employees formal contracted rate.

Source: The authors (2016), based on public sites.

Considering that this research deals with innovation and that the first research on the innovative process in Brazil occurred in the triennium 1998-2000, and the fact that this period was greatly influenced by the crisis of the Asian tigers (1997) an the Russian crisis (1998), with negative impact in Brazil, we excluded data from this period, as possible biases resulting from these crises could hardly be neutralized. Thus, we adjusted the period of data collection between 2001 and 2013. We established the upper limit based on the complete availability of data.

To facilitate the identification of the variable, we created a structure to comprise the data. Each variable received the designation of construct, represented by the letter "C", and named each indicator as variable, represented by the letter "V". Thus, the economic variable termed as C1 and its first indicator of V1, so that the control code is V1C1 (variable 1 of construct 1). For the educational variable we assigned the designation C2 and for the social C3. We adopted the same procedure for these variables regarding their indicators (V1C2; V1C3). Due to the fact that there are several variables/indicators over the years, we used the technique known as "time series analysis" characterized by the set of observations over a period (STEVENSON, 1981).

In order to perform the calculations demanded in this research, we use the SPSS software (IBM/SPSS, 2012) and the GRETL (GRETL, 2013). Once the environmental variables were defined, with the respective measurement indicators, we identified some the database some missing values. We use an SPSS procedure that allows us to enter missing values.

Because the database is presented as a panel, the literature points out that the main problems are related to normality (cross section) and whether or not the time series is stationary (stationarity). Regarding normality, we use secondary data only, they were already treated (normalized) at the time of the original research. In addition, the normality test is not recommended for small samples, which is the case of this research (2001-2013), depending on the loss of potency. Therefore, we calculated the Spearman correlation coefficient. As for stationarity, to avoid working with spurious correlations, we test the series using KPSS and stationarity by applying the first difference method, both in the GRETL application.

5. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

We verified that the use of correlation was responsible for standardizing the data under analysis, which is the process of transforming the standard score into Z-score (LEVINE et al., 2015). Therefore, the database was ready for the statistical calculations and analyzes resulting from the adaptation of the data contained in the preliminary spreadsheet migrated to the final spreadsheet, completing the missing value and carrying out the stationarity tests of the time series.

We used secondary data for each indicator per variable, expressed in Table 2, and we elaborated specific tables for each research site - Brazil, São Paulo, Paraná and Sergipe. Based on these tables, we ran the correlations through the SPSS application (IBM/SPSS, 2012), resulting in four data files with correlations for the sites surveyed considering the economic, educational and social environmental variables.

Because the series of the research is short, the literature recommends the use of Spearman's correlation coefficient, whose reading of the correlation hypothesis is related to the following conditions of comparison between null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H1): a) H0: There is no correlation between the pair of variables; the correlation between them is null; and b) H1: There is correlation. Thus, if the p-value is lower than 0.05, the H0 hypothesis must be rejected.

The correlation coefficient can range from -1 to +1 (minus one to one), indicating whether it is directly or indirectly related. It should also be pointed out that the SPSS application (IBM/SPSS, 2012) highlights the significant "correlations" (marked with an asterisk (*)) and the "very significant", (where two asterisks appear (**)).

5.1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS TEST - H1

In this test, the values of the indicators of the variables surveyed throughout the period and the correlations of the collected data with respect to Brazil. These correlations, with 15 economic variables (V1C1 to V15C1), 15 educational (V1C2 to V15C2) and 15 social (V1C3 to V15C3), set out in Tables 3, 4 and 5.

Table 3
Economic indicators and control variables

Economic Indicators	Control Variable
Gross Value of Industrial Production	V1C1
Consumption of cement	V2C1
Number of patent filings	V3C1
S&T Expenditures	V4C1
Public Debt	V5C1
Unemployment rate	V6C1
Inflation index	V7C1
Balance of the Trade Balance	V8C1
Trademark Application	V9C1
Gross Domestic Product – GDP	V10C1
Average household income per capita	V11C1
Average income value	V12C1
Employed Population	V13C1
Number of deposits of computer programs	V14C1
Rate of Economically Active Population	V15C1

Source: The authors (2016), based on public data.

Table 4
Educational indicators and control variables

Educational Indicators	Control Variable
Youth rate - 15 to 17 years old enrolled - High School	V1C2
Number of Higher Education Institutions	V2C2
Students who Completed higher education - Face-to-face	V3C2
Graduated in Doctor Degree by Federal Unit ( states) and Brazil	V4C2
Graduated in the Master Degree by FU and Brazil	V5C2
Number of Postgraduate Grants awarded by CAPES	V6C2
Functional Illiteracy Rate of Population - 15 years and over	V7C2
Rate of 15-17 year olds attending school	V8C2
Number of Graduate Programs (M/D) with concept 5	V9C2
Number of faculty in Higher Education	V10C2
Number of PhD Faculty in Higher Education	V11C2
Number of years of study – People aged 25 years or more	V12C2
Number of years of School Lag - young people from 10 to 14 years old	V13C2
Illiteracy Rate, older than10 years	V14C2
Number of face-face Courses	V15C2

Source: The authors (2016), based on public data.

Table 5
Social indicators and control variables

Social Indicators	Control Variable
Population projection	V1C3
Gini Coefficient	V2C3
Number of jobs available	V3C3
Number of physicians per inhabitant	V4C3
Household rate with water supply	V5C3
Rate of Adequate Sanitary Sewage	V6C3
Employee formal contract rate	V7C3
Rate of Appropriate Garbage Collection	V8C3
Household Rate of Precarious Housing Situation	V9C3
Rate of Extreme Poverty	V10C3
Rate of Urban Lighting	V11C3
Household Rate with all essential services	V12C3
Rate of Urbanization	V13C3
Rate of Population Participation	V14C3
Theil Index (distribution inequality individuals x Income	V15C3

Source: The authors (2016), based on public data.

As for the different values over the studied period, we observe that variation occurs in the analyzed series, which is non-uniform and has no specific trend. This information can be seen in the indicators with the most changes over time in the economic, educational and social variables, constants of tables 6, 7 and 8, respectively.

Table 6
Economic indicators with the greatest variations regarding Brazil

Year	(Mil/ton)	(Un)	(1.00 BRL)	(1.00 BRL)	(Un)	(Un)	(%)
	V2.C1	V3.C1	V6.C1	V8.C1	V9.C1	V14.C1	V15.C1
2001	38,912	21,555	10.00	2,641,924,000.00 USD	84,574	601	60.46
2002	38,873	20,334	9.90	13,129,854,000.00 USD	80,712	693	61.31
2003	34,884	20,176	10.50	24,824,547,000.00 USD	81,781	765	61.40
2004	35,734	20,431	9.70	33,693,424,000.00 USD	80,071	766	62.02
2005	37,666	21,852	10.20	44,756,852,000.00 USD	83,002	671	62.89
2006	41,027	23,152	9.20	46,074,080,000.00 USD	77,547	665	62.42
2007	45,062	24,840	8.90	40,028,195,000.00 USD	83,828	670	62.03
2008	51,571	26,641	7.80	24,745,809,000.00 USD	99,363	818	61.97
2009	51,892	25,885	9.00	25,347,409,000.00 USD	94,255	938	62.10
2010	60,008	28,099	8.15	20.266.610.000.00 USD	103,988	1182	61.06
2011	64,972	31,881	7.30	29,796,166,000.00	122,458	1261	60.02
2012	69,324	33,569	6.70	19,430,645,000.00 USD	120,431	1436	60.46
2013	70,967	34,050	7.10	2,557,744,000.00 USD	132,330	1058	60.68

Source: The authors (2016), based on primary data.

Table 7
Educational indicators with the greatest variations regarding Brazil

Year	(Un)	(Un)	(Un)	(Un)	(Un)	(Un)	(%)
	V2.C2	V4.C2	V5.C2	V9.C2	V10.C2	V13.C2	V14.C2
2001	1,391	6,040	19,641	589	219,947	1.20	11.38
2002	1,637	6,894	23,457	692	242,475	1.10	10.91
2003	1,859	8,094	25,997	799	268,816	1.00	10.67
2004	2,013	8,093	24,755	791	293,242	1.00	10.59
2005	2,165	8,989	28,605	862	305,960	1.00	10.27
2006	2,270	9,366	29,742	961	316,682	0.90	9.64
2007	2,281	9,915	30,559	1.017	334,688	1.00	9.32
2008	2,252	10,711	33,360	1.065	338,890	1.00	9.19
2009	2,314	11,368	35,686	1.094	359,089	1.10	8.93
2010	2,378	11,314	36,247	1.140	366,882	1.10	7.90
2011	2,365	12,321	39,544	1.227	378,257	1.00	7.98
2012	2,416	13,912	42,878	1.283	378,939	0.90	7.87
2013	2,391	15,585	45,401	1.120	383,683	0.90	7.68

Source: The authors (2016), based on primary data.

Table 8
Social indicators with the greatest variations regarding Brazil

Year	(Un)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)
	V1.C3	V6.C3	V8.C3	V9.C3	V11.C3	V12.C3	V13.C3	V14.C3
2001	172,385,826	53.89	83.22	3.06	96.02	64.05	85.16	57.90
2002	174,632,960	62.06	84.81	2.68	96.65	65.51	85.56	58.60
2003	176,871,437	62.43	85.60	2.44	96.98	66.22	85.63	58.60
2004	181,581,024	62.17	84.65	2.80	96.77	65.86	84.37	59.20
2005	184,184,264	62.17	85.55	2.48	97.09	66.83	84.26	59.80
2006	186,770,562	62.76	86.38	2.34	97.59	67.79	84.45	59.30
2007	183,554,226	64.76	87.16	2.24	98.13	70.30	84.52	59.00
2008	189,612,814	64.60	87.69	1.98	98.53	70.39	84.61	59.00
2009	191,506,729	64.37	88.45	1.73	98.86	69.78	84.73	59.40
2010	191,941,613	66.07	88.54	1.83	99.01	71.86	86.14	58.45
2011	192,376,496	67.76	88.82	1.92	99.33	73.95	85.96	57.50
2012	193,976,530	68.65	88.79	1.37	99.52	74.26	85.76	57.50
2013	201,062,789	68.18	89.35	1.51	99.57	73.25	85.98	57.30

Source: The authors (2016), based on primary data.

Thus, the correlations between the indicators of each variable - economic, educational and social - demonstrate the specific conformation of the environment. For this purpose, we need to observe if there are correlations between the indicators of the same variable (intracorrelation) and between the indicators of different variables (intercorrelation).

Therefore, we analyzed the correlations of only the indicators of a given variable; then the correlation of these indicators with those of the other variables. It must be emphasized that because we treat 1,653 correlations, we only address the most significant ones for this study (*significant; ** very significant). The economic, educational and social variables for Brazil were correlated.

5.1.1. ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC VARIABLE

Regarding the economic variable (C1), there are 28 correlations. Half of these (14) are very significant (**), evidencing that these indicators can relate to one another by providing specific characteristics to the environment. Among the very significant correlations, 13 are directly related, that is, the increase in the value of an indicator implies an increase of a correlated one.

The indicator that most correlated with the others was the code "V2C1" - cement consumption, which was related to six other indicators in a significant way, followed by indicators "V1C1" - gross value of industrial production and "V3C1" - number of patent filings. These indicators characterize a particular type of environment depending on they appear positively or negatively.

A very significant direct correlation was characterized in the pair "V1C1-V3C1" (Cc 0.711**; pvalue 0.010), where it is necessary that the increase in the gross value of the national production is directly correlated to the number of patent filings. The converse is also true, since the reduction of one indicator will also produce the same effect, reducing the other correlated.

This reasoning applies to other correlated pairs. We must highlight the only very significant indirect correlation, synthesized in the pair "V2C1-V6C1" (Cc -0.750**; pvalue 0.005). The relationship between cement consumption and the unemployment rate was indirectly linked; the increase of one indicator reduces the other. Cement consumption is related to the acceleration of the economy, implying the demand for labor; the faster the economy, the greater the absorption of workers into employment opportunities, the lower the rate of unemployment.

Among the 28 pairs of correlated indicators a perfect correlation was identified, indicated by the pair "V2C1-V3C1" (Cc 0.949**; pvalue 0.000). By this relation, the consumption of cement is perfectly correlated with the number of patent filings. The statistics referring the values of these two indicators can be linked. The consumption of cement, related to the acceleration of the economy or the development of a certain location, is in some way linked to an environment conducive to development, reflecting the increase in the number of patent filings.

The indicators of the same variable, in this case the economic one, are related to each other, considering the 28 significant and very significant correlations, and that one exerts influence on the other, since most are positively related. Thus, a block of indicators of the same economic variable can provide a positive or negative environment, according to the performance correlated over the years; and reality supports this statistical evidence.

5.1.2. ANALYSIS OF THE EDUCATIONAL VARIABLE

In examining data concerning hypothesis H1, considering only the indicators of the educational variable in Brazil, we observe the presence of 12 correlated pairs, 8 being significant (*) and four very significant (**). We also found that seven of these correlations are direct and five indirect.

Among the very significant pairs, some relationships are elementary, as the correlation of pairs "V2C2-V10C2" (Cc 0.720**; pvalue 0.008) and "V2C2-V15C2" (Cc 0.713**; pvalue 0.009), which emphasizes the validity and reliability of the statistical calculation, since the higher the number of Higher Education Institutions, the higher the number of faculty in higher education and the greater the number of face-to-face courses, which is the most common modality.

An important indirect correlation is represented by the pair "V7C2-V9C2" (Cc -0.720**; pvalue 0.008), indicating the existence of a close relationship between the reduction of the functional illiteracy rate of the population aged 15 years or older and the search for a better level of study, because the lower the illiteracy rate, the greater the number of graduate programs, in master's and doctoral level with concept "5".

Amongst the educational indicators that most correlate with each other are the "V2C2" - number of higher education institutions, and the "V3C2" - graduates in higher education (face-to-face). The indicators that most correlate with economic indicators are "V2C2" and the "V15C2" - number of face-to-face institutions and courses. The loadings of significance of these correlations show that the link between the economic and educational environments are evidenced and conform a specific environment.

In analyzing the most significant correlated pairs and those that are directly related, the reflection of one over the other is large, which gives a distinct characteristic to the environment depending on how the indicators of this variable are presented.

5.1.3. ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL VARIABLE

In relation to social variables, there are 11 correlations between its indicators, highlighting that seven are significant and four are very significant, and among these, only one is very significant and indirectly correlated.

There is a direct and very significant relationship between the pair of indicators "V2C3-V15C3" (Cc 0.764**; pvalue 0.004), indicating that the Gini index or coefficient, which refers to the measure of social inequality of a country or region, characterizing income concentration, is directly related to the Theil index, which measures the inequality in the distribution of individuals according to per capita household income.

Another very significant correlation adheres to the pair "V6C3-V7C3" (Cc 0.817**; pvalue 0.001), the rate of adequate sanitary sewage and employee formal contract rate are directly related. This fact refers to the more structured environment, where the formally contracted worker is more able to perceive the importance of adequate sanitary sewage to the health of their family. These two associated indicators denote a more conscious and developed environment in terms of quality of life.

To characterize the formation of a specific social environment, the pair correlation "V13C3-V14C3" (Cc -0.852**; pvalue 0.000), shows that more urbanized areas denote, lower rate of population participation, defined by the number of people who work at least one full hour in paid work. This means that in an urbanized place it is common to have better living conditions, smaller families and, especially, the younger devote themselves to studies. In less urbanized areas, it is normal for larger families and under less favored conditions, leading the younger ones to seek work to help support the family.

5.1.4. CONSIDERATIONS ON INDICATORS AND CORRELATIONS

In the intra and intercorrelations of indicators of economic, educational and social variables there are perfect correlations (pvalue = 0.000) in the pairs "V2C1-V3C1", "V11C1-V15C2", "V15C1-V14C3" and "V13C3-V14C3", as well as in the number of pairs with correlation coefficients (Cc) above 0.800, with pvalue close to zero.

The various indicators related to the researched variables assume different values over a period of time, varying between positive and negative positions, as can be observed in the values of Tables 6, 7 and 8.

By analyzing the values and correlations of the indicators of the studied variables, the hypothesis H1 is confirmed as a result of the consolidation of differentiated formats of the environments resulting from the interaction of these indicators and variables. Therefore, it is proved that variables can assume different positions over time and that effectively correlate with one another, providing the environment with unique and specific configurations. Thus, hypothesis H1 is true.

5.2. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS TEST - H2

To test the second hypothesis we adopt a basic premise. The economic, educational and social variables may present indicators with positive or negative characteristics, that is, the indicators of each variable grouped can express how they appear in the environment. As an example, the economic environmental variable (VAEc) may be positive, characterized by its pooled indicators, reflecting a development environment, or negative, implying a recessionary environment. The environmental educational variable (VAEd) may change from an evolved situation to the obsolete one; and the social environmental variable (VASo), may range from an advanced to a stagnant environment.

In this research the political environmental variable was disregarded, as explained in the methodology. Thus, the environmental configuration approach (CA) in this study admitted two extreme possibilities for each variable, one positive and one negative, with eight Environmental Configurations (CA => 23 = 8), ranging from an extremely positive configuration (+++) to the other extremely negative (---). These possibilities are characterized in Table 9.

Table 9
Possibilities of Environmental Configurations

Configuration		Environmental Macro variables
		Economic – VAEc		Educational – VAEd		Social – VASo
		Positive	Negative	Positive	Negative	Positive	Negative
CA1		x		x		x
CA2		x		x			x
CA3		x			x	x
CA4		x			x		x
CA5			x	x		x
CA6			x	x			x
CA7			x		x	x
CA8			x		x		x

Source: The authors (2016).

The correlations referring to Brazil has 143 correlated pairs presenting significance, with 66 being very significant and 77 significant. In order to test whether hypothesis H2 is true or not, the intercorrelation between the indicators of the several environmental variables of São Paulo, Paraná and Sergipe were verified.

Initially, we analyzed São Paulo, considered for the purpose of this study as the most developed and innovative state. It should be noted that the variables and indicators are the same as those considered for Brazil. What differs are the values of each indicator, obtained from primary sources. The first finding refers to the number of correlations. While in Brazil the number was 143, with 46% of correlations being very significant, in São Paulo it totaled 117, with only 32% being very significant, characterizing a more homogeneous environment.

The distributions of the correlations are not the same, including changes occurring in the distribution of pairs of indicators with more significant correlations, as well as the correlation coefficients in São Paulo are stronger, that is, they have greater loading. Considering that the São Paulo environment is more stable in relation to Brazil, it is justified that correlations, especially with respect to economic indicators, have greater loadings. The balance between environmental variables provides stability to the indicators.

Effectively, the indicators make the São Paulo environment a differentiated place in terms of positive correlation of the various indicators of environmental variables. Correlation Coefficients, such as pairs "V2C1-V4C1" (Cc = 0.853** and pvalue = 0.000) and "V2C1-V8C1" (Cc = 0.855** and pvalue = 0.000), indicating perfect correlations, show that the indicators are intrinsically associated.

The values that corroborate for this assertion are mainly the indicators of the educational variable, which are consistent in terms of correlation. There are positive values when compared to Brazil. The correlation coefficients confirm the consistency of the environment, because there are perfect correlations for educational indicators such as in pairs "V2C2-V7C3" (Cc = -0.849** and pvalue = 0.000) and "V13C2-V8C1" (Cc = -0.870** and pvalue = 0.000), in addition to several strong correlations, with correlation coefficients close to 1 (absolute value), very significant and with pvalue close to zero, as is the case of pairs "V2C2-V9C1" (Cc = -0.827** and pvalue = 0.001) and "V3C2-V15C2" (Cc = -0.839** and pvalue = 0.001).

The main data of the state of Paraná, considered median in terms of development in the criteria of this study is presented to broaden the analyzes and considerations about the relationships of the indicators in the several variables. The comparison of the correlations in Brazil and São Paulo with those of Paraná shows that the environments are effectively different considering the coefficient of correlation of the economic, educational and social indicators.

The data for Paraná are distinct in relation to Brazil and São Paulo, mainly due to the fact that only 22% of the total correlations are very significant, against 46% of Brazil and 32% of São Paulo. This factor reinforces the argument of the divergence of environmental configurations considering the values of the indicators.

The pairs characterized as very significant have Correlation Coefficients below 0.800, as the cases of pairs "V4C1-V9C1" (Cc = -0.713** and pvalue = 0.009); "V8C1-V15C1" (Cc = -0.795** and pvalue = 0.001); "V8C1-V6C2" (Cc = -0.727** and pvalue = 0.007); "V10C1-V11C1" (Cc = 0.734** and pvalue = 0.007); and "V11C1-V3C2" (Cc = -0.713** and pvalue = 0.009), among others, denoting reduction of the correlation loading, which characterizes this environment as inferior if considered to that of São Paulo.

The crisis that affected several environments between 2008 and 2009 was not reflected, at least not immediately, in the various social indicators of the State of Paraná. During this period most of the indicators improved, especially the increase of the number of available jobs "V3C3" and rate of urbanization "V13C3", as well as reducing the rate of extreme poverty "V10C3", which declined even in adverse conditions.

To consolidate the diagnosis, aiming to confirm or not hypothesis H2, we inserted the data of the environmental variables of Sergipe. This environment is considered themost modest variables for the purpose of this study, as a stagnant environment. The term "stagnant" refers specifically to a condition that serves the purposes of this study.

Sergipe presents 113 correlated environmental indicators. Despite the modest indicators, the number of very significant correlations was high, with 30% of the total, denoting that there is a specific effort to change the environment. Among those surveyed, this state is the one that presents the most perfect correlations, with a high coefficient of correlation (Cc) and pvalue equal to zero. Among these, "V4C1-V11C1" (Cc = 0.881** and pvalue = 0.000), correlating expenditures on S&T and the number of PhD faculty in higher education. This relationship is perfectly plausible, since the greater number of physicians in higher education implies more research, with the necessary investment in physical and technological resources.

However, attention is drawn to the pair "V8C1-V14C1" (Cc = -0.893** and pvalue = 0.000), which inversely correlates the balance of trade and the number of deposits of computer programs. It seems to be an inconsistency a better balance in the trade balance entail a reduction of the creation of computer programs. However, this is a feature of a stagnant environment. This is reinforced by the pair "V8C1-V7C3" (Cc = 0.879** and pvalue = 0.000), which presents a perfect indirect correlation between the trade balance and number formally contracted workers. We can perceive another contradiction, since there is a direct relationship between these two indicators, since the better the trade balance, more positive economic conditions, reflected in the number of employment and the employee formal contract rate.

Although certain findings seem illogical, this fact implies in the specificity of the state of Sergipe, which characterizes the differentiations of indicators and variables, as well as how they correlate and form a specific context.

The indicators of the environmental variables of Sergipe were the most affected in the crisis of 2008-2009, considering some negative results or slight increases in certain indicators. There was a sharp reflection in the employment rate (V7C1) and successive deficits in the balance of the trade balance (V8C1) throughout the series, despite the increase in the value of GDP (V10-C1). This fact, once again must be evidenced, because it indicates that the studied sites have specificities depending on the set of correlations between their indicators and variables.

Not unlike the indicators of the economic variable, the educational and social indicators of Sergipe also show marked diversity in relation to classified sites as developed and medium. The modest indexes regarding the educational variable must be highlighted. Some indicators practically do not exist when compared to São Paulo and Paraná, as the number of graduates in the doctor degree "V4C2". The official statistic indicates that in the years 2001-2003 there were no persons qualified in this degree. Until 2009, Sergipe had only 10 PhDs.

There is actually a difference between the places surveyed. After present, discuss and characterize the three places in this study, it we can be said that correlated indicators provide specific characteristics for each environmental variable. And the interrelated environmental variables form a particular context reflects the specificities of the indicators captured for this reality.

Analyzing the results and considering the intra and intercorrelations of the indicators of the economic, educational and social variables, the sites studied can be classified in relation to the Environmental Configurations in Table 10. Thus, with the correlation data of the three states under analysis, São Paulo presents the most significant correlations considering the economic, educational and social aspects. The difference in the values of the indicators in relation to the other analyzed states is notable, providing an advantageous conjuncture for development in this state, as there are the necessary resources in quantity and quality.

Table 10
Classification of Environmental Configurations of the researched places

Configuration		Environmental variables
		Economic - VAEc		Educational - VAEd		Social – VASo
		Positive	Negative	Positive	Negative	Positive	Negative
São Paulo	CA1	x		x		x
	CA2
Paraná	CA3	x			x	x
	CA4
	CA5
	CA6
	CA7
Sergipe	CA8		x		x		x

Source: The authors (2016).

The state of Paraná presents economically, values that do not leave a great deal to be desired. However, in terms of educational resources, although not so bad, the state has a lot of room to develop.

Finally, the state of Sergipe is far from desired when compared to the other two states. Despite efforts to develop, which are reflected in recent public data on this state, the reality is still far from the ideal. The indicators of economic, educational and social variables allow asserting that Sergipe lacks the resources to be able to leverage the bases for innovation and consequent competitiveness. And because it does not gather in quantity and quality such resources, the state can be classified, for the purposes of this study, as stagnant.

Therefore, considering the possibilities of environmental configurations and the characteristics of the studied states, we can classify these as follows: São Paulo: CA1; Paraná: CA3; and Sergipe: CA8, according to Table 10.

Thus, despite the fact that only three specific environments were characterized, the second hypothesis of the research, was confirmed. It can effectively result in the eight environmental configurations, with the surveyed sites being classified according to these configurations. Therefore, hypothesis H2 is true.

6. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Effectively the environmental characteristics present reflexes in the level of innovation and development in relation to the place in which it is analyzed, according to Damanpour (1996); Tidd (2001); Oslo Manual (2005); Zhang, Majid and Foo (2011) and Tsuja and Mariño (2013).

The study sought to demonstrate that environmental variables can assume differentiated values over a given period and associate themselves to form different environmental configurations. Thus, if the possible configurations of the environment are characterized, it is feasible to identify which indicators are most adequate to measure innovation, thus meeting the basic condition for managing innovation: measure to manage with competitiveness in sight.

After we established the two hypotheses of research, we verified that the environmental variables - economic, educational and social - assume different values over a certain period of time, ranging from positive to negative, as well as correlate with one another. It is also found that the correlations of these variables, in their different forms (positive or negative), eight different environmental configurations may result.

Therefore, it is evidenced that a new need arises in the study of innovation measurement, which is to characterize and identify in what environmental context the innovation process occurs so that it is possible to select which indicators are the most adequate for achieving this purpose. However, in order to make this attempt feasible, studies are needed that relate the indicators of innovation measurement to the respective environmental configurations.

Therefore, it is mandatory to conduct new studies to expand the scope of approach to the theme, since in this research the environmental policy variable was not considered due to the absence of valid and reliable indicators for its treatment.

Thus, failure to consider the political variable is a limitation of this study, because, in theory, there is the possibility of conformation of 16 environment configurations (CA => 24 = 16), and this study considers only the economic, educational and social variables, totaling eight possible environmental configurations.

Finally, the knowledge of the possible environmental configurations allows understanding the interaction between the environment and innovation. It allows greater rationality to the innovative process, because the activity of measuring innovation according to the type of context where it occurs makes management more effective with the ensuing desired results, such as competitiveness.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Nov-Dec 2018

History

• Received
  23 May 2017
• Reviewed
  16 Feb 2018
• Accepted
  15 Mar 2018
• Published
  26 Sept 2018