University Extension: an Experience Report on the Innovation Diagnosis Project for Micro and Small Enterprises in Ibiapaba
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: University extension serves as a powerful driver of innovation—albeit at an embryonic stage—by applying knowledge acquired at the university in a practical setting. In this context, this report details the experience of the university extension project "Innovation Diagnosis in Small Businesses in the Ibiapaba Region," promoted by the Vale do Acaraú State University and carried out at two small enterprises in the Ibiapaba region of northern Ceará: a bakery and a fintech company. The study involved semi-structured interviews with the owners of both businesses, followed by a content analysis. The results demonstrate that innovation in small businesses in the Ibiapaba region is not limited to the development of cutting-edge technologies, rather, it fundamentally encompasses the restructuring of business models, the optimization of operational processes, and the creation of new service delivery methods with direct social and economic impact. The work reinforces the role of the public university as a catalyst for regional development and innovation.
Source: Artefactum
Language: English
Subfield: Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204187983