Camarão que não inova, a onda leva: possibilidades e limites de aplicação de políticas de inovação transformadoras visando uma carcinicultura eficiente e sustentável em Brejo Grande/SE

Abstract

Transformative Innovation Policies (TIPs) are initiatives that seek to qualitatively alter socio- technical systems. It is understood that there is a need to expand the avenues for applying this theoretical model (Haddad et al., 2022). This research analyzes the context of the city of Brejo Grande, in the state of Sergipe, due to its socio-economic and environmental challenges and its low concentration of economic activities. Since shrimp farming has been the main economic activity in the municipality, the study focused on the socio-economic and environmental issues arising from it. Thus, the objective of this research is to understand the possibilities and limitations of applying TIPs, considering the perspective of efficient and sustainable shrimp farming in Brejo Grande/SE. The theoretical framework is based on the TIPs theoretical model and on the notion of small cities in the Global South as smaller contexts. A single embedded case study was conducted, with a qualitative approach and an exploratory-descriptive character. The presentation of results described the positive and negative socio-economic and environmental impacts identified. It also identified the agents involved or interested in shrimp farming in the municipality and their respective contributions. To conclude this contextual analysis, an assessment of these agents' roles was conducted. The presented context served as a comparative basis for articulating the discussion on the possibilities and limitations of applying each dimension of TIPs. In this sense, the socio-economic and environmental issues were characterized as part of the challenge of enhancing efficient and sustainable shrimp farming in Brejo Grande. Additionally, an innovation cycle was proposed, consisting of a heterogeneous and strategic network to address this challenge. The study highlighted the need to establish a more inclusive approach in the processes of ideation, construction, and evaluation of policies. Therefore, it is understood that, within the explored perspective, the possibilities and limitations of applying TIPs occur through the integration or lack of integration of individuals experiencing the issues in focus into innovation processes. Regarding theoretical contributions, this study extends the literature on TIPs to Global South contexts. In terms of practical contributions, a market perspective was considered by clarifying that innovations in shrimp farming in Brejo Grande are not limited to the use of techniques and technologies. Additionally, a policy-making perspective was considered, offering suggestions and tools that enable the integration of policy users in the policymaking process. Finally, from a social perspective, by focusing on the challenge of enhancing efficient and sustainable shrimp farming in Brejo Grande, this study provides insights into new possible pathways and the difficulties that may be encountered.