UNIVERSITY AND THE (UN)SUCCESSFULNESS OF THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FOR INNOVATION

ABSTRACT: The article aims to identify, from the perspective of strategic managers, categories that participate in the establishment of an innovation culture in community universities in southern Brazil. The method is based on exploratory, qualitative research using a multiple case study and considering a group of Brazilian universities as the analysis unit. Interviews were conducted with 67 managers from 14 higher education institutions, as well as legal provisions, documents, scenario studies, and market research. The results point to the need for universities to work in a competitive strategic positioning; approaching of academia and market times; guaranteeing innovation of the sustainable management principle; internationalization as an indicator of innovation; curricular inflection and formation of innovative leaderships. Our contribution lies in proposing that universities, regardless of their state, private or community status must follow a strategic plan that is competitive in the market and boosts the innovation culture.