Public Procurement for Innovation: Economic and Strategic Terms on the Supply-Side of the Market

Public procurement for innovation can be seen as a tool that encourages public sector modernization, drives strategic policy objectives, promotes readiness for technology commercialization, and acts as a catalyst for the creation of new R&D-intensive markets (Research and Development). In addition to the emphasis on public user-supplier interaction and the recognition that the search for innovations greatly impacts the efficiency of the public sector, there are economic and strategic conditions that must be analyzed and framed from a holistic point of view. Through a contextual approach, this article considers the motivation and economic logic of the supply side – i.e., innovators – to participate in an innovation public procurement procedure, as well as the scope for an effective public procurement policy. Conclusions are presented that strategically contextualize the terms, benefits and risks associated with the participation of companies / innovators in public procurement, as well as some inefficiencies to be avoided and mitigated in the innovation system, through public innovation policies aimed at the medium-long term.