Recursos naturales, tecnología y desarrollo económico: estudio del caso del sector petrolero de Brasil (1998-2015)

Abstract

Esta Tesis aborda la relación entre explotación de recursos naturales, desarrollo tecnológico y desarrollo económico a través de un estudio de caso del sector petrolero brasileño. Nuestro objetivo general es determinar cómo la explotación del petróleo y el gas natural en Brasil contribuyó al desarrollo tecnológico en el sector petrolero entre 1998 y 2015. La hipótesis principal de investigación plantea que la cláusula establecida por la agencia reguladora del sector petrolero brasileño, que obliga las compañías petroleras a invertir en Investigación y Desarrollo (I+D) en el país, ha promovido la realización de proyectos de investigación los cuales han fomentado el desarrollo tecnológico. A partir de ella, derivamos tres hipótesis secundarias relativas al papel en este proceso de los varios actores implicados en la cláusula de I+D: compañías petroleras, empresas suministradoras de equipamientos y servicios petroleros, universidades y centros de investigación. La metodología de investigación consiste en un estudio de caso fundamentado en un trabajo de campo realizado en Brasil entre 2015 y 2016. Los datos primarios han sido recogidos a través de 76 entrevistas a informantes clave del sector petrolero brasileño y de una encuesta basada en un cuestionario completado por 176 coordinadores de proyectos financiados por la cláusula de I+D. Nuestros resultados corroboran las hipótesis planteadas...

This thesis addresses the relation between the exploitation of natural resources, technological development and economic development through a case study of the Brazilian oil sector. Our goal is to determine how the exploitation of oil and natural gas in Brazil contributed to technological development in the oil sector between 1998 and 2015. The main research hypothesis contends that the clause established by the regulatory agency of the Brazilian oil sector ― that forces the oil companies to invest in research and development (R&D) within the country ― has promoted the execution of research projects that have fostered technological development. Drawing on that, we derive three secondary hypotheses related to the role in that process of the various actors involved in the R&D clause: oil companies, oilfield equipment and service companies, universities and research centers. The research methodology consists of a case study based on a fieldwork carried out in Brazil between 2015 and 2016. Primary data were collected through 76 interviews to key informants of the Brazilian oil sector and a survey questionnaire completed by 176 coordinators of projects funded by the R&D clause. Our results support the research hypothesis. The main conclusions of the research are: i) the interplay between actors, institutions and structural factors affects technological development; ii) the R&D clause has given continuity and has strengthened the leadership in technological development of the national oil company, Petrobras; iii) the clause has enhanced the incorporation of new actors to that process and has deepened the networks among them; iv) the clause has fostered technological innovation and the creation of new technological capabilities suitable for more sophisticated and diverse productive activities; v) the clause has enhanced the training of human resources, in particular in universities and research centers; and vi) the participation of technology-based companies in the R&D clause scheme has been limited. We argue for the need of adopting a development strategy in the Brazilian oil sector based on the integration and coordination between industrial policy and science, technology and innovation policy. Finally, we address the limitations of the study and we suggest new lines for further research.