Difusão de Inovações Sustentáveis: o caso do biodiesel de mamona no Estado da Paraíba

Abstract

Comprehension of how an innovation disseminates is a key to understand in which ways companies, as well institutions, may conduct innovative activities. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the diffusion process of a technology that applies castor beans to product biodiesel in the State of Paraíba (Brazil), here assumed as a sustainable innovation. For this purpose, and based on a structure of analysis constructed upon theoretical reference, it has been developed a qualitative, explorative and descriptive research, through interviews along with Embrapa Algodão’s researchers and rural producers from the city of Pocinhos, Paraíba. As a result, the research pointed out that the production process of castor beans was strongly supported by the actions of Embrapa’s researchers, by means of technological transference and technical assistance. However, it still requires more incentives from the government and a more comprehensible regulatory policy, a scenario that has hampered greater diffusion of such innovations among the region’s producers.

Keywords

• Diffusion of Innovations
• Sustainable Innovation
• Biodiesel
• Castor Beans