Cooperación en innovación y capacidades tecnológicas: Un análisis del sistema de innovación en Ecuador

Byron Gustavo Rojas Loza; Edison Rene Sarzosa Eras; Lenin Antonio Ballesteros Trujillo; María Fernanda Merchán Maldonado

doi:10.31637/epsir-2025-696

Authors

Byron Gustavo Rojas Loza Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4073-0678
Edison Rene Sarzosa Eras Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6515-1768
Lenin Antonio Ballesteros Trujillo Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0920-1658
María Fernanda Merchán Maldonado Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1865-6484

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-696

Keywords:

Innovation, Technological, Companies, Ecuadorian, Development, Capabilities, Cooperation, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: The document examines how cooperation relationships in innovation activities affect the technological capabilities of Ecuadorian firms. Technological capabilities, crucial for generating competitive advantages, are influenced by firm characteristics, knowledge bases, and the institutional context. Methodology: Ordinal logistic regression models are used to analyze these relationships, with an ordinal dependent variable ranging from 0 to 2, representing different levels of technological capabilities. Results: The research reveals that 71% of firms cooperate in information search activities, 47% in technical assistance, 41% in product testing, and 40% in training. Discussions: Firms with higher technological capabilities tend to engage in more complex technological activities. Additionally, it was found that in developing countries with Ecuador, firms cooperate more in activities such as information search and technical assistance, and les in advanced activities like R&D. Conclusions: These cooperation relationships enable firms to Access additional resources, reduce costs, and distribute risks, thereby contributing to increasing their technological capabilities and fostering innovation.

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Author Biographies

Byron Gustavo Rojas Loza, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE

Ecuadorian, 47 years old, resident in Quito. Economist from the Central University of Ecuador. Master in Business Management from the Escuela Politécnica Nacional. Master (c) in Economics with a major in Public Policy at the Pontificia Católica del Ecuador. Coordinator and specialist in public investment projects. Specialist in planning and monitoring of Institutional Strategic Planning. Financial specialist in microcredit. Specialist in trusts. Lecturer in Higher Education in public universities. Since 2019 teaching at the University of the Armed Forces ESPE, participating in research groups and projects linked to society.

Edison Rene Sarzosa Eras, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE

Ecuadorian, 36 years old, resident in Quito. Business Administrator from the Universidad Central del Ecuador. Master in Business Administration with mention in Project Management from the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana. Trainer of Trainers, Evaluator of Quality and Excellence in Public Management. Coordinator of public and private projects. Lecturer in higher education in universities and institutes, both public and private. Since 2023, full-time lecturer at the University of the Armed Forces ESPE, part of research groups, graduate follow-up and liaison with society.

Lenin Antonio Ballesteros Trujillo, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE

Ecuadorian, 45 years old, resident in Quito. Economist from the Central University of Ecuador. Master in Business Administration from the Universidad Tecnológica Israel in agreement with the Universidad de la Empresa of Uruguay. Graduated from the doctorate programme in Administration at the National University of Rosario, Argentina. University professor in several public and private universities in Quito for more than 10 years, in subjects in the field of administration and economics. Experience as academic coordinator, career director. Participant in several research projects and development of university programmes and careers. Since 2015 full time research professor at the University of the Armed Forces ESPE.

María Fernanda Merchán Maldonado, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE

Ecuadorian, 41 years old, resident in Quito. Economist from the Central University of Ecuador. Master in Economics and Business Management from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, Flacso - Ecuador. Professional experience for more than 18 years in companies and public institutions. Lecturer in higher education, in universities and public and private institutes in Quito with a career of more than 10 years, in subjects in the field of economics. Participant in research projects and development of university programmes and careers at the University of the Armed Forces - ESPE.

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