Cooperation and technological areas in the state universities of Sao Paulo: An analysis from the perspective of the triple helix model

This article analyzes the technological cooperation networks, and their respective areas, of the public universities of the State of Sao Paulo that resulted in patent. The cooperation networks were built from the assignee data and for the technology areas networks the International Patent Classification. It adopted the metrics of Social Network Analysis to characterize these partnerships and analyze it from the perspective of the Triple Helix. A total of 458 technology partnerships were identified that resulted in patents, 210 at USP, 173 at UNICAMP and 75 at UNESP. The main partners were companies and other universities, follow by research institutes, government support institutions and support foundations had low participation, except for FAPESP and EMBRAPA. Regarding technological areas, technologies with applications in the health sector and chemical were the most representative. It was found that the cooperation is still developed in an incipient way, especially regarding the continuity of technological development. In general, there is the multidisciplinary portfolio of patents from universities, but with strong guidance for the areas of health, indicating the search for expertise in this area of expertise.

Automated summary

This study analyzes the technological cooperation networks among public universities in the State of Sao Paulo and their respective areas resulting in patents. The main partners were identified as companies and other universities, with technologies focused on health and chemical sectors. Moreover, it was found that cooperation is still in its early stages and there is a strong emphasis on expertise in the health sector within the universities' patent portfolios.