A inovação tecnológica no Vale do São Francisco e desenvolvimento de novos produtos : o caso do vinho espumante.

Abstract

The grape growing, a great labor absorber, is also one ofthe most advanced sectors of the irrigated agriculture present in the São Francisco Valley, both under technological point-of-viewand legal working aspecto In the world, São Francisco yalley is the only wine producing zone in half-barren tropical condition. In this region, and under irrigation conditions, the grapevines harvests (Vinifera Vitis) can be programmed for different times of the year, and the wineries and the specialists in wines process foaming, white and red wines that are original, fine and of quality. There is a grouo of local institutions that develop and spreads out technologies adequated to the wines industry, and also the purchase oftechnologies from other regions ofthe country which suffer adaptations in order to attend the demands of these industries. This research aimed to analyze which forms the local technological innovations contributed for the development and launching of the foaming wine through the wine industry located in São Francisco Valley, answering the following question: "Which is the role the local technological innovation play in the foaming wine industry in São Francisco Valley?" The study was developed with multiple cases, because they involve six wine industries. The questions directed to the managers in order to promote a better understanding of how technological innovation process happens in the managemental vision. From the comparison of the obtained results and the multiple cases studies, it was searched to recognize behavior standards directed to the managemental innovation. All the cases had something in common that was the use of local technological innovations in the production of foaming wines. It was concluded, therefore, that the role the technological innovation plays in the new products development, specially the foaming wine, is in the sprouting of new specific grapes varieties for São Francisco Valley typical edafoclimatics conditions. The industries aim at reaching the northeast consumers, once the consumption of their products is restricted to festive times. It could also be detached the exploitation of the discarding grapes, the labor qualification, and the increasing offer of financia! resources destined to the region by the companies of research and development promotion.