Innovation in the Software Sector: A comparative study between Argentina and Brazil

BORRASTERO, CARINA; MORERO, HERNÁN; URIONA MALDONADO, MAURICIO

Ankara

Congreso; 11th Globelics International Conference; 2013

Globelics

Latin America is undergoing an increase of activities in the sectors related to Knowledge Intensive Business Services. The aim of this paper is to compare the structural characteristics and innovative performance of the Software and IT Services sector in two Latin American economies: Argentina and Brazil. A Sectoral Systems of Innovation perspective is adopted, trying to offer insights into the innovative behavior patterns of both sectors in terms of their similarities and differences, emphasizing specially on sectoral policies implemented in both countries. From an exploratory and descriptive study, that offer wide possibilities for a deeper analysis. Based on innovation surveys, the paper shows a differential ?yet successful- innovative performance between these economies in this sector: in quantitative terms, Argentina?s SSI showed a better innovative performance which could be explained, at a first moment, by a differential intensity in the innovation activities; but also the qualitative comparison highlights some differences between its sectoral systems, particularly related to the effective coverage of the policy promoting instruments, their export concern and the production profile of each case.