Evaluating Sustainable Implementation of National Innovation Systems through Technology Audits: Evidence from Brazil’s SENAI Innovation Network

Abstract

As evidence of the successful implementation of SENAI’s national network of 28 Innovation Institutes in Brazil, this paper summarizes longitudinal results from two rounds of technology audits conducted between 2017 and 2025. The audits are part of an overall strategic planning approach that includes business model development, implementation support, and recurring evaluation in order to support the systematic establishment of a macro-level innovation system in an emerging economy. Within this context, a standardized technology audit methodology was applied across three core dimensions: technology base, products and services, and cooperation. Twenty-three institutes completed two audit cycles and therefore constitute the longitudinal sample, enabling an analysis of development at institute and network level. The results show consistent and relevant improvements of 24% in the technological base, including equipment, infrastructure, and competences. Improvements of 20% can be observed in the technological products and services developed by the institutes, while cooperation activities within the innovation system, for example with industrial and research partners, increased by 23% from the first to the second audit cycle. The paper presents results and key learnings from eight years of technological evaluation and discusses how such approaches can support the sustainable implementation and strategic development of innovation systems and structures.