Antecedent dimensions in the brazilian public administration: an analysis of the innovation contest in the public sector

Abstract

The analysis of innovation contests and/or awards represents a promotion to the production of this topic in public administration. This research aimed at mapping the main antecedent innovation dimensions which are present in the initiatives awarded by the Innovation Contest in Public Administration. This is a qualitative and descriptive work based on documental research whose data characterization/classification was done according to the model by De Vries, Beckkers and Tummers (2016). A theme analysis was used with the support of the QSR NVivo® software. The results pointed that, from 2008 to 2016, innovation in the initiatives awarded happened predominantly in the federal domain and it is the process-type. The main dimensions that contributed to innovation in the public administration were: Social Participation (Environmental antecedent); Client/beneficiary and market knowledge, Strategic information management/Standardization of data and processes, Strategic planning and Transforming leadership/Managers’ pro-innovation attitudes (Organizational antecedents); Strategic intention to innovate and Project management (Innovation Characteristics antecedents); and Commitment (Individual antecedents). The managerial contribution of this research lies on the identification of the main antecedent dimensions, such as the good practices that contribute to innovation in the public administration, since they can control plans, programs and innovation policies, especially on subnational levels. The dimensions that were mapped could also favor the development of an innovation culture that has society satisfaction with public services as a result.