INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT INDEX (IAI): A PROPOSAL FOR A MODEL APPLIED TO THE MUNICIPALITIES OF SANTA CATARINA

Innovation is a predictor of economic development, but it requires an enabling environment that transforms resources into technological outcomes. This descriptive and quantitative study analyzes the spatial distribution of the Innovative Environment Index (IAI) across the 295 municipalities of Santa Catarina and its relationship with Innovation Performance. The multicriteria method Relative and Interactive Decision Analysis of Acquisition and Non-Acquisition (ADRIANA) was applied to measure the environment dimensions - Human Capital, Business Ecosystem, Digital Infrastructure, and Economic Dynamism - and the outcome dimension (Innovation Performance), followed by Kendall's correlation and multiple regression. The results revealed spatial heterogeneity, identifying an innovation corridor on the coast and islands in the interior. The positive relationship between the innovative environment and innovation performance was confirmed. Digital Infrastructure and Dynamism stand out as the main drivers. The research validates a multidimensional model useful to public management in decision support and aligned with SDG 9 of the 2030 Agenda.