INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN A BORDER REGION: A CONSTRUCT PROPOSAL OF INNOVATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article deals with innovative practices in the management of regional and territorial development processes, within a border region between Brazil and Argentina, and the different approaches regarding innovation management, entrepreneurship, and regional development. The general objective here is to study development management innovative practices in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul's northwest region, by proposing a construct which explains such processes. The study is characterized as a case study, exploratory and descriptive, of a qualitative nature. Data analysis and systematization allowed us to relate the identified empirical evidences, conceptual foundations, considerations from different authors and our own conclusive interpretations. Advances, innovations, and changes in society and organizations impact on the different concepts of management, governance, and territorial development. Representing and identifying the variables and their impacts, combined with the strategic and technological competence to lead and implement initiatives promoting sustainable development of regions or territories are one of the distinguishing building blocks. By presenting a set of innovative development management practices implemented in the area under study and because this region's model developed its own territorial governance system, it constitutes an important theoretical contribution to broaden the understanding of innovative governance processes and territorial development.