Mechanisms of technology transfer centre of information technology for the southwest region of Parana - Brazil

Theoretical studies suggests that the innovative capacity of companies contributes to regional development and consequently to increase local competitiveness. Covering the relationships among the social, economic, technological and cultural, this study highlights the importance of a participative system grounded on the leadership and society in search of dissemination and technologic transfer knowledge. By this way, this article aims to investigate the technology transfer mechanisms of Arranjo Produtivo Local (Brazilian acronym for 'APL') for IT, called the Center for Information Technology, or Núcleo de Tecnologia da Informação (Brazilian acronym for 'NTI') in the southwestern region of Parana, Brazil, mapping the participating companies, identifying and analysing these mechanisms and their influences on regional development. The research was defined as qualitative and quantitative, and was based on interviews and document analysis to raise the activities provided by the NTI and confirms the results of these mechanisms in order to transfer technology to member companies. It was concluded that, with the results presented and confirmed by the acting companies, the mechanisms of technology transfer offered by NTI contributed to the innovations and therefore for regional development.