KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AT BRAZILIAN INCUBATORS

Abstract

This article poses to analyse knowledge management at Brazilian incubators, members of the National Association of Entities Promoting Innovative Enterprises (ANPROTEC). A descriptive, survey like research with a quantitative approach was undertaken. The research population consists of 359 business incubators in Brazil which are part of ANPROTEC, according to a list provided by the mentioned association. A questionnaire of closed questions was sent by e-mail to the coordinators (managers) of these incubators. From the total amount queried, 163 coordinators returned the survey instrument with answers, thus representing 45.40% of the population, which actually constitutes the sample by accessibility. The results of the research indicate that there is a concern in generating, disseminating and, primarily, in sharing knowledge, at the studied incubators. Concepts of knowledge management and the ways these are shared - duly discussed in the theoretical portion of the study - were identified upon conduction of the survey, particularly in as much as the seven dimensions presented by Terra (2001) - which ought to be taken into consideration during the implementation of knowledge management at an organization - is concerned.

Key-words: Knowledge management. Brazilian incubators. ANPROTEC.