GEOGRAPHY OF INNOVATION: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF PATENT FILINGS IN BRAZIL BETWEEN 1997 AND 2021

Abstract

Innovation is one of the main characteristics of economic and social development. However, it is a phenomenon that is difficult to measure directly, and may require the use of proxy indicators. This study aimed to map the geographical distribution of innovation in Brazil between 1997 and 2021, using the  number of patent filings as a proxy variable. Spatial analysis techniques were applied to identify possible  innovation clusters and investigate the presence of the spillover effect. Two approaches were employed: choropleth maps to describe the distribution of patents by state and heat maps based on the Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) technique, to represent the spatial density of the innovation. The results revealed a strong concentration of innovative activity in the South and Southeast regions, with indications of the effect of the spillover of innovation to the Northeast region from 2012 onwards. The analysis highlighted the relevance of the territorial component in the dynamics of innovation and reinforced the importance of public policies that stimulate the internalization of Scientific and Technological Institutions and the strengthening of Research and Development activities.