The INOTEC-Empresa – the Technological Innovation Plan for Enterprises in the
Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA) - was developed in 2006-2007, at the
request of the Regional Government, with the main aim of promoting innovation
within small and medium enterprises. The methodological approach used in the
development of the INOTEC – Empresa Plan was designed to obtain a comprehensive
view of regional actors and included a document review, participation of the
various actors through interviews, a collection of statements from RAA – Região
Autónoma dos Açores – entrepreneurs, academics, public leaders and other key
players, together with an analysis of their views and a survey of the innovation
dynamics of the most relevant Azorean enterprises. The INOTEC-Empresa – the
Technological Innovation Plan for Enterprises – comprises seven programmes aimed
at promoting innovation in the Region. This paper focuses on the Programmes for
Qualification of Human Resources and the Development of Scientific and
Technological Capacities for Innovation. Some socio-economic data and the
metrics selected to assess and benchmark the implementation of the Plan will al