https://journals.scientia.international/SIJSocial

Scientia International Journal for

Social Sciences

Vol. 1, 1 (2026)

Type: [Research Article] | DOI: 10.56365/sjjgr074

Open-access article licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0).

Connecting helices, generating solutions: the role of INOVAREPE in

modernizing public management in Pernambuco

Luana Cavalcanti de Melo Ataíde1*, Ana Elisabete Brito Alves1, Carla Regina Pasa Gómez1

1Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE, Pernambuco, Brazil

ORCID: 0009-0003-2503-6552; 0009-0006-7827-8899; 0000-0001-6182-989X

*Corresponding author: luanacmataide@gmail.com.

Abstract

The digital and sustainable transformation of public management requires innovative, collaborative, and data-driven approaches.

In this context, the INOVAREPE program in Pernambuco operates as an open innovation platform, connecting government,

academia, the productive sector, and civil society to address public challenges and strengthen the innovation ecosystem. This study

examines how the principles of open innovation and Quintuple Helix Theory are applied in the INOVAREPE Program and assesses

its contribution to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in public services. The investigation is grounded in the concepts of

open innovation (Chesbrough, 2003) and Quintuple Helix Theory (Carayannis & Campbell, 2010), which emphasize the

importance of multisector collaboration and the integration of knowledge, the environment, and sustainable development. This is

a quantitative, descriptive, and correlational study based on an online survey administered to 39 program participants. Data were

collected through Google Forms and analyzed using descriptive statistics, a t-test, and reliability assessment through the omega

coefficient. The findings indicated highly positive perceptions of the program's effects. All hypotheses were confirmed.

INOVAREPE proved effective in promoting innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in public management. Despite the sample

limitations, the results support the relevance of the proposed theoretical model and highlight the strategic role of multisector

collaboration. The study contributes to the empirical validation of open innovation in the public sector and provides evidence for

public policies that may be replicated in other contexts. It also stands out as a model for coordinating Quintuple Helix actors in

support of sustainable innovation.

Keywords: Open innovation; Public management; Sustainability.

Article details | Open peer review

Edited by:

Bruno César Alves Marcelino

Reviewed by:

Marcos Roberto Pisarski Junior

Anna Claudia Amaral Juliace

Citation:

Ataíde, L. C. de M., Alves, A. E. B., & Gómez, C. R. P. (2026). Connecting helices, generating

solutions: the role of INOVAREPE in modernizing public management in Pernambuco.

Scientia International Journal for Social Sciences, 1(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.56365/sjjgr074

Article history

Received: 16/12/2025

Revised: 04/03/2026

Accepted: 18/05/2026

Available: 30/07/2026

Scientia International Journal for Social Sciences 2 of 18

1. Introduction

The pursuit of sustainable development is driving disruptive transformation in public management,

requiring governments to adopt innovative, collaborative, and data-driven approaches to address complex

social challenges (Mazzucato, 2018). In this context, open innovation emerges as a promising model that

encourages collaboration among different actors to generate creative and effective solutions (Chesbrough,

2003).o processo de

Henry Chesbrough (2003) defines open innovation as the intentional use of knowledge flows into and

out of an organization to accelerate internal innovation and expand the external use of innovations.

The state of Pernambuco, Brazil, has distinguished itself in promoting open innovation through

several programs, including INOVAREPE, which seeks to foster entrepreneurship and sustainability in

practical ways. It focuses primarily on solutions that generate positive environmental and socioeconomic

impacts by connecting students, professors, and universities to address strategic challenges through

collaborative partnerships. This approach is consistent with OECD recommendations emphasizing the

importance of regulatory environments and policies that support collaboration among actors to promote

innovation, efficiency, and sustainable development, understood as the integration of economic growth,

social inclusion, and environmental preservation to ensure the well-being of present and future generations

(OECD, 2022).

INOVAREPE is an open innovation program designed to foster entrepreneurship and sustainability

in Pernambuco by mobilizing students, professors, universities, government, and society to collaborate in

developing solutions to the state's strategic challenges, thereby strengthening Pernambuco's innovation

ecosystem. The initiative provides a practical collaborative environment, offering training, multidisciplinary

team formation, and the development of minimum viable products (MVPs) with technical and economic

feasibility. Recent studies on open innovation indicate that expanding organizational boundaries enables

organizations to access a broader range of ideas, reduce research and development costs, and accelerate

innovation processes, reinforcing the effectiveness of initiatives such as INOVAREPE (Chesbrough, 2020).

The program is implemented by the University of Pernambuco (UPE) and the Federal University of

Pernambuco (UFPE), with funding from the Pernambuco State Department of Science, Technology and

Innovation, the Pernambuco Foundation for Science and Technology Support (FACEPE), the Government

of Pernambuco, and the INOVA.PE Innovation Agency.

The initiative provides soft-skills training, mentoring, and project development, contributing to the

education of students and professionals in strategic fields and aligning with SDG 4 - Quality Education.

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By offering innovation grants, access to investors, and opportunities for project incubation, the

initiative creates concrete conditions for developing new businesses while strengthening participants'

qualifications and reducing barriers to entrepreneurship. These actions support job and income generation

and innovative solutions with sustainable growth potential, contributing to the dynamism of the local

economy. In this regard, the initiative aligns with SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, proposed by

the United Nations, because it simultaneously promotes entrepreneurship, productivity, and the creation of

sustainable economic opportunities.

The program is a practical example of open innovation applied to public management, promoting the

development of technological solutions to government challenges and strengthening partnerships among

government, academia, and the private sector. It therefore contributes to SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and

Infrastructure, proposed by the United Nations, which seeks to promote sustainable industrialization, foster

innovation, and expand access to resilient infrastructure. The initiative stimulates the creation and application

of technologies, strengthens the innovation ecosystem, and encourages collaboration among different actors

for technological development.

As its general objective, INOVAREPE seeks to solve local problems faced by the Government of the

State of Pernambuco and contribute to the sustainable development of cities. This objective demonstrates its

connection with SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, proposed by the United Nations, which aims

to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The initiative promotes innovative solutions to

urban challenges, improves public management, and encourages practices that enhance the population's

quality of life.

The INOVAREPE Journey therefore reflects the promotion of innovation as a tool for transforming

public management and improving the quality of life of Pernambuco society. Academic studies on this topic

demonstrate the need for deeper investigation of this open innovation model in the context of state public

administration in Brazil, especially regarding its effectiveness in advancing administrative efficiency,

innovation, and participatory governance and the possibility of replicating and developing insights adapted

to different realities.

The program is still underway, which means that academic studies on the topic remain under

development, particularly given the growing importance of open innovation as a strategy for modernizing

public management (Chesbrough, 2003). Against this background, the present study is justified not only by

its originality but also by the need to deepen understanding of how INOVAREPE can contribute to generating

innovative solutions, promoting sustainability, and strengthening Pernambuco's public innovation ecosystem.

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By examining the program through the theoretical perspectives discussed above, the study seeks to address

relevant gaps and provide theoretical and practical evidence for advancing innovative public policies.

In this context, the study is expected not only to validate INOVAREPE as an innovative public-policy

management model but also to inspire other initiatives seeking creative and effective solutions to

contemporary public-management challenges. The guiding research question is: how are the principles of

Open Innovation and Quintuple Helix Theory applied in the INOVAREPE Program, and how does the

program contribute to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in public services?

Using a quantitative approach, the study discusses the principles applied in the INOVAREPE program

and highlights its contribution to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in public services.

2. Theoretical framework

2.1. Open Innovation in the INOVAREPE Program

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), innovation

refers to the implementation of a new product or a significant improvement to an existing product and may

also involve a new process or organizational method in business practices (OECD, 2004).

Open Innovation, as proposed by Chesbrough (2003), emphasizes collaboration, knowledge sharing,

and the integration of external and internal ideas to accelerate and improve innovation in public and private

organizations. In the context of INOVAREPE, this is reflected in the government's openness to partnerships

with universities, companies, civil society, and other actors, promoting the co-creation of solutions to public

challenges and enhancing idea generation, efficiency, and the sustainability of solutions. The following

research hypotheses are therefore proposed:

H1: Multisector collaboration positively affects the efficiency of projects developed within

INOVAREPE.

H3: Multisector collaboration is associated with the identification and assimilation of external

opportunities.

H4: The use of digital technologies facilitates collaboration and co-creation among program actors.

H7: The existence of institutional barriers negatively moderates the relationship between multisector

collaboration and program outcomes.

2.2. Quintuple Helix Theory in the INOVAREPE Program

Quintuple Helix Theory (Carayannis & Campbell, 2010) expands the innovation model by integrating

five helices: government, academia, the productive sector, civil society, and the environment. INOVAREPE's

Scientia International Journal for Social Sciences 5 of 18

success depends on effective coordination and collaboration among these actors, promoting an innovative

and sustainable ecosystem aligned with the SDGs. Joint action by these five actors is essential to creating an

innovative and sustainable ecosystem aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the

COP30 agenda. The program seeks not only technological innovation but also institutional transformation,

environmental sustainability, and social engagement.

The following hypotheses are therefore grounded in this framework:

H2: Multisector collaboration positively influences the quality and sustainability of public services.

H5: Multisector collaboration strengthens the innovation ecosystem.

H6: Collaboration among Quintuple Helix actors contributes to greater social participation and

transparency in program processes.

H7: The existence of institutional barriers negatively moderates the relationship between multisector

collaboration and program outcomes.

Based on the relationships established among the constructs, a theoretical model was developed, as

shown in Figure 1, which systematizes the hypotheses. The proposed model places multisector collaboration

(IV) as the independent variable at the top, its relationships with the six dependent variables (DV1 to DV6)

in the center, and perceived Institutional Barriers (DV7) as a moderating variable influencing these

relationships. Thus, multisector collaboration among Quintuple Helix actors positively affects efficiency,

sustainability, innovation, and social participation in the context of INOVAREPE.

Figure 1

Theoretical model

Source: The authors (2025).

Table 1 presents the structure and characterization of the variables included in the proposed theoretical

model, with their classification as independent or dependent variables. For each variable, it specifies the

Scientia International Journal for Social Sciences 6 of 18

conceptual description, operational definition, number of instrument items, theoretical references,

measurement scales, and corresponding indicators.

Table 1

Structure and Characterization of the Variables in the Theoretical Model

DIMENSION

(VARIABLE)

QUESTIONS

DEFINITION

SCALE

THEORETICAL

REFERENCE

INDICATOR

Multisector

Collaboration

(IV)

Refers to the

degree of

interaction,

coordination,

and cooperation

among the

different actors

involved in the

INOVAREPE

Program,

including

government,

academia, the

productive

sector, civil

society, and the

environment

(Quintuple Helix

model).

Dichotomous:

Yes / No

Carayannis &

Campbell (2010);

Chesbrough (2003)

Integration

among helices

(government,

academia,

productive

sector, civil

society, and

environment)

Project

Efficiency (DV-

Refers to the

ability of

projects

implemented by

the program to

achieve their

objectives

effectively while

optimizing

resources and

processes.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Chesbrough (2003);

Churchill (1979);

Hair et al. (2019)

Operational

efficiency;

Optimization of

resources and

processes

Quality and

Sustainability of

Public Services

(DV-2)

Assesses the

impact of

collaboration on

improving the

quality of public

services and

incorporating

sustainable

practices.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Carayannis &

Campbell (2010);

Chesbrough (2003)

Quality

improvement;

Incorporation of

sustainable

practices

Scientia International Journal for Social Sciences 7 of 18

DIMENSION

(VARIABLE)

QUESTIONS

DEFINITION

SCALE

THEORETICAL

REFERENCE

INDICATOR

Identification

and Assimilation

of Opportunities

(DV-3)

Measures the

program's ability

to capture and

integrate

opportunities,

ideas, and

resources from

outside the

government

context.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Chesbrough (2003);

Tidd et al. (2008)

Openness to

innovation;

Capture of

external ideas

and resources

Digital

Technologies for

Co-creation (DV-

Analyzes how

the use of digital

technologies

contributes to

collaboration,

co-creation, and

innovation

among program

actors.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Carayannis &

Campbell (2010);

Chesbrough (2003);

Hair et al. (2019)

Use of digital

technologies;

Facilitation of

collaboration

and co-creation

Strengthening

the Innovation

Ecosystem (DV-

Assesses the

extent to which

the program

contributes to

developing and

consolidating an

environment

conducive to

open and

sustainable

innovation.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Chesbrough (2003);

Carayannis &

Campbell (2010)

Open ecosystem;

Sustainable

innovation

Social

Participation

and

Transparency

(DV-6)

Refers to the

degree of civil-

society

involvement and

the promotion of

transparency in

the program's

processes and

outcomes.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Carayannis &

Campbell (2010);

Quadruple/Quintuple

Helix Model

Social inclusion;

Access to

information;

Transparency

Institutional

Barriers (DV-7)

Measures

difficulties

perceived by

participants,

such as

bureaucracy and

institutional

obstacles, that

may limit the

achievement of

program

objectives.

Likert scale

(1 = Strongly

disagree;

7 = Strongly

agree)

Churchill (1979);

Hair et al. (2019);

studies of barriers to

public-sector

innovation

Perceived

obstacles such as

bureaucracy and

institutional

rigidity

Source: The authors (2025).

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3. Materials and methods

This study aims to analyze how the principles of open innovation and Quintuple Helix Theory are

applied in the INOVAREPE Program and how the program contributes to efficiency, sustainability, and

innovation in public services.

Following John W. Creswell (2014) and the objectives established for this study, a quantitative,

descriptive, and correlational approach was adopted, using a single cross-sectional design and structured

online survey questionnaires administered through Google Forms. Participants were reached through

WhatsApp dissemination. Quantitative survey research enables the collection of a broad range of responses

from a target population through a closed-ended questionnaire (Hair Jr., Page, & Brunsveld, 2019).

The unit of analysis is the INOVAREPE Project, including all groups involved in the program, such

as university representatives, students, companies, civil-society members, solution developers, and public-

innovation specialists. Given the exploratory and applied nature of the study, non-probability purposive

sampling was adopted, characterized by the deliberate selection of participants considered most appropriate

for the study according to criteria established by the researcher (Creswell, 2014). This technique was selected

because it enables the strategic recruitment of individuals with relevant knowledge and experience of the

phenomenon under investigation and supports representation of the five actors in the Quintuple Helix model.

This method is widely used to collect data at a single point in time, enabling analysis of relationships

among variables in a specific population (QuestionPro, 2025). The development and administration of the

data-collection instrument followed the methodological guidelines proposed by Hair Jr. et al. (2023) to ensure

the validity and reliability of the data obtained.

Data were collected through a structured questionnaire comprising eight items, seven of which were

assessed on a seven-point Likert scale (1 = "Strongly disagree" to 7 = "Strongly agree") and one dichotomous

item (Yes/No). The instrument was developed from scales widely validated in the scientific literature and

adapted to the context of the INOVAREPE Program and the Quintuple Helix model.

The theoretical basis used to construct the questionnaire draws on internationally recognized

studies of open innovation, interorganizational collaboration, and innovation ecosystems. Henry

Chesbrough's (2003) work Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from

Technology presents the foundations, mechanisms, and effects of open innovation in organizational

environments and informed the development of items related to multisector collaboration and the integration

of external ideas.

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In addition, the conceptual structure of the Quintuple Helix model was based on the work of Elias G.

Carayannis and David F. J. Campbell (2010), titled Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix and Quintuple Helix and

How Do Knowledge, Innovation and the Environment Relate to Each Other? A Proposed Framework for a

Trans-disciplinary Analysis of Sustainable Development and Social Ecology. The authors deepen

understanding of the integration of government, academia, the productive sector, civil society, and the

environment as essential dimensions in promoting sustainable innovation.

The questionnaire was therefore developed on the basis of these theoretical contributions, ensuring

scientific alignment with open innovation and collaborative development in the context of the INOVAREPE

Program. The use of a seven-point Likert scale follows the methodological recommendations of Churchill

(1979) and Hair et al. (2019), who support its robustness for measuring organizational constructs and

perceptions of institutional barriers.

The instrument was administered online through Google Forms and sent directly to participants

through the program's institutional WhatsApp groups between June 24 and July 8, 2025, as shown in Table

2. The objective was to assess participants' perceptions of the degree of collaboration among the helices, the

use of digital technologies, the barriers encountered, such as bureaucracy, and perceived outcomes in terms

of efficiency, sustainability, and participation.

Table 2

Data collection

Respondent profile

INOVAREPE Program participants

Data collection period

June and July 2025

Data collection duration

15 days

Mode

Online - messages introducing the study and

requesting participation.

Source: The authors (2025).

The collected data were processed using JASP (Jeffrey's Amazing Statistics Program), version

0.19.3.0. Descriptive statistical analyses and internal-consistency calculations using the omega coefficient

followed the methodological recommendations of Hair Jr. et al. (2016) and the psychometric updates

discussed by Viladrich et al. (2017), who identify omega as a more robust and appropriate measure than

Cronbach's alpha in many contexts.

4. Results and discussion

Based on the descriptive analysis performed in JASP, the following results summarize respondents'

perceptions of the INOVAREPE Program in relation to the theoretical constructs of Open Innovation and the

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Quintuple Helix. The initial sociodemographic analysis characterized a sample of 39 valid respondents, with

no missing data, as shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Sample

Source: JASP database (2025).

In this study, the sample was characterized according to the analytical structure of Quintuple Helix

Theory, which proposes synergistic interaction among five fundamental spheres for strengthening innovation

ecosystems: academia, the productive sector, government, civil society, and the environment (Carayannis &

Campbell, 2010). The profiles of the 39 respondents, shown in Table 4, reveal a marked concentration of

participants linked to academia: 71.795% were students and 10.256% were professors, totaling 82.051% of

the sample.

This distribution indicates the predominance of the educational and scientific sector in the

INOVAREPE Program, which is consistent with the emphasis placed on universities as centers for generating

knowledge, research, and innovation in the Triple Helix model and further developed in the Quintuple Helix

approach (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000; Carayannis & Campbell, 2010).

The productive sector, comprising partner companies (5.128%), startups (2.564%), and accelerators

(2.564%), represented 10.256% of participants, demonstrating the presence of the economic and

entrepreneurial sector in the innovation ecosystem analyzed. Government representatives accounted for

7.692% of respondents, indicating institutional and political participation in the development and

implementation of program initiatives and reinforcing the role of the public sector as one of the pillars of

collaborative innovation (Carayannis & Campbell, 2010).

Although civil society and the environment were not explicitly identified in the sample, the presence

of accelerators and startups may indicate some interface with these actors, albeit in limited proportions. Their

lower representation suggests opportunities to expand the inclusion of civil society and environmental issues

in the program, thereby strengthening sustainability and social participation, which are central elements of

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the Quintuple Helix model and fundamental to sustainable innovation in the current context (Carayannis &

Campbell, 2010; Morais et al., 2022).

Table 4

Sample frequency

Source: JASP database (2025).

The reliability of the scale was assessed using the omega coefficient (ω), which is more appropriate

than Cronbach's alpha in contexts of unidimensionality and factor modeling. Recent studies emphasize that

omega provides a more precise estimate of internal consistency, particularly when items have different factor

loadings (Zinbarg et al., 2005; Dunn et al., 2014). The value obtained was ω = 0.808, with a standard error

of 0.047 and a 95% confidence interval from 0.716 to 0.900.

This result indicates internal consistency of the scale, suggesting that the assessed items are strongly

correlated and contribute coherently to measuring the proposed theoretical construct. According to the

reference criteria (Revelle & Zinbarg, 2009), omega values above 0.80 are considered good and values above

0.90 excellent.

The finding of unidimensional reliability suggests that the data fit the scale's theoretical proposal well,

supporting its suitability for subsequent statistical analyses, such as hypothesis testing or predictive modeling.

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Table 5

Reliability statistics

Source: JASP database (2025).

The descriptive analysis presented in Table 6 covered eight variables measured on a Likert scale from

1 to 7, using the indicators mean, median, mode, and standard deviation to assess participants' perceptions of

the impacts and limitations of the INOVAREPE Program. The items reflect different dimensions of

INOVAREPE's impact according to the adopted theoretical model. All variables had 39 valid responses and

no missing data.

Most variables had means above 6, indicating predominantly positive perceptions of INOVAREPE's

effects on fostering public-sector innovation.

Means ranged from 5.692 to 6.615 on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), with

modes and medians predominantly equal to 7, indicating strong agreement with the program aspects assessed.

The three variables with the highest means were "Does INOVAREPE encourage collaboration among

different actors?" (M = 6.615; SD = 0.590), followed by "Does INOVAREPE contribute to creating a public-

sector innovation ecosystem?" (M = 6.513; SD = 0.683), and "Is the knowledge acquired through the

INOVAREPE program applied to improve public processes or services?" (M = 6.359; SD = 0.743).

These results support the assumptions of Open Innovation (Chesbrough, 2003), which emphasizes

interaction between internal and external agents to improve processes and generate public value. The strong

perception of multisector collaboration also reflects adherence to the Quintuple Helix model (Carayannis &

Campbell, 2010), particularly the academic, governmental, and productive-sector helices.

The variable with the lowest mean was the effectiveness of information and technology exchange

among participants, with a mean of 5.692 and a standard deviation of 1.559. This result points to a potential

concern regarding internal coordination, suggesting that although collaboration occurs institutionally,

knowledge-sharing mechanisms among participants may not yet be sufficiently consolidated.

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The variable concerning bureaucracy as a barrier to innovation had a mean of 6.410 and a standard

deviation of 0.938, indicating strong agreement on the existence of institutional obstacles, as reported in the

literature on public-sector innovation (Tõnurist, Lember, & Kattel, 2017). This finding reinforces the need

for administrative restructuring that supports agility and the co-creation of solutions.

Finally, the promotion of transparency and social participation received a positive assessment, with a

mean of 5.744 and a standard deviation of 1.186. Participants therefore recognized the program's efforts to

integrate civil society, even though this group had limited representation in the sample.

Table 6

Descriptive statistics for the sample

Source: JASP database (2025).

To verify the statistical significance of respondents' perceptions of the impacts of the INOVAREPE

Program, a one-sample t-test was applied, with the null hypothesis assuming that the population mean of the

responses was equal to zero, indicating no agreement. The variables were tested individually, as shown in

Table 7.

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Table 7

One-sample t-test

Source: JASP database (2025).

The results showed high and statistically significant t values (p < .001) for all variables analyzed, as

presented in Table 7. This pattern indicates that the mean response to every statement differed significantly

from zero, revealing strong participant agreement with the positive impacts attributed to the INOVAREPE

Program.

The highest t values were observed for collaboration among different actors (t = 70.014; p < .001),

the application of knowledge to improve public services (t = 53.452; p < .001), and the contribution to

building a public-sector innovation ecosystem (t = 59.521; p < .001). These findings support the hypothesis

that the program significantly promotes multisector integration, open innovation, and the practical use of

knowledge, in line with the theoretical assumptions of the Quintuple Helix (Carayannis & Campbell, 2010)

and Open Innovation (Chesbrough, 2003).

The variable related to institutional barriers also showed a significant result, particularly the

perception of bureaucracy as a challenge to implementing innovations (t = 42.677; p < .001). This finding

reinforces evidence from previous studies of administrative obstacles to public-sector innovation (Tõnurist,

Lember, & Kattel, 2017), indicating that relevant institutional barriers persist despite the advances provided

by the program.

The lowest t statistic was recorded for the variable concerning the effectiveness of information and

technology exchange (t = 22.808; p < .001). Although still highly significant, its lower magnitude suggests

room for improvement, especially in strengthening communication and co-creation flows among participants.

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The hypothesis analysis confirmed the robustness of the proposed theoretical model. H1, which states

that INOVAREPE facilitates the identification of external innovation opportunities, was confirmed (t(38) =

31.819; p < .001), reflecting respondents' positive perceptions of the promotion of open innovation

(Chesbrough, 2003).

H2, concerning the application of acquired knowledge to improve public services, yielded t(38) =

53.452; p < .001, confirming that the program helps transform knowledge into innovative public-sector

practices.

H3, concerning the encouragement of collaboration among different sectors in accordance with

Quintuple Helix principles, was strongly confirmed (t(38) = 70.014; p < .001). This was the highest t statistic

in the analysis and validates the program's multisector coordination (Carayannis & Campbell, 2010).

H4, concerning the effectiveness of information and technology exchange among participants, was

also confirmed (t(38) = 22.808; p < .001), although its lower value indicates a less intense perception of this

dimension.

H5, which examines whether the public policies associated with the program encourage collaborative

and sustainable innovation, yielded t(38) = 41.410; p < .001. The hypothesis was confirmed, demonstrating

the alignment of policy guidelines with the principles of sustainability and collaboration.

H6, concerning the program's contribution to building a public-sector innovation ecosystem, was

confirmed with t(38) = 59.521; p < .001, demonstrating the consolidation of innovation networks involving

multiple actors (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000).

H7, concerning the perception of bureaucracy as a barrier to innovation, was also confirmed (t(38) =

42.677; p < .001), consistent with the literature on administrative challenges to innovation (Tõnurist et al.,

2017).

Finally, H8, which assesses the promotion of transparency and social participation, was confirmed

(t(38) = 30.248; p < .001), indicating a favorable perception of the program's role in strengthening social

engagement in public management.

In summary, despite variations in the t values, all hypotheses in the theoretical model were confirmed,

demonstrating the positive effects of the INOVAREPE Program on key dimensions of open innovation and

Quintuple Helix Theory.

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5. Conclusions

The statistical tests confirmed all hypotheses formulated in this study. The descriptive analyses and

t-tests revealed broadly positive perceptions of the effects of multisector collaboration across the different

dimensions of the INOVAREPE Program. The principal strengths were project efficiency, integration among

Quintuple Helix actors, and reinforcement of the innovation ecosystem. Nevertheless, the findings identified

a need to improve information-exchange mechanisms and address institutional barriers, such as bureaucracy,

that still limit the full scope of innovative actions. These findings reinforce the relevance of the adopted

theoretical model and contribute to consolidating INOVAREPE as an emblematic case of innovation in

Pernambuco.

Despite the statistically significant results, several limitations must be recognized when interpreting

the findings. The sample included 39 respondents, representing only a portion of all INOVAREPE Program

participants. Although the sampling design followed appropriate statistical parameters, with a 95%

confidence level and an estimated margin of error of approximately 15%, the small sample size and non-

probability selection restrict the generalization of results to the program's entire population. Even so, the data

provide relevant and consistent evidence that contributes to understanding INOVAREPE's effects on the

dimensions analyzed and offers a valid basis for future research and the improvement of public policies for

public-sector innovation.

In view of these limitations, the study creates opportunities for new investigations that deepen and

broaden understanding of the effects of the INOVAREPE Program in the context of public innovation.

From an academic perspective, future studies should expand the size and diversity of the sample by

using probability-sampling techniques and engagement strategies that support equitable representation of the

five helices defined in Quintuple Helix Theory. This would enable a more robust and comparative analysis

of the different actor profiles in the innovation ecosystem.

The adoption of mixed methods is also recommended, integrating qualitative approaches such as

semi-structured interviews, focus groups, or case studies with quantitative instruments. This methodological

triangulation could provide greater analytical depth and reveal contextual nuances that standardized

questionnaires do not capture.

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