Exploring the Interrelationships Between Dimensions and Success Factors in R&D&I Projects
Research, Development, and Innovation Projects, RDI, Project Success, Theoretical Framework.
Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) projects can generate significant economic and social impacts while simultaneously fostering the advancement of knowledge through the creation of new technologies and innovations. Although the scientific literature on the success of such projects is extensive, it still lacks a holistic perspective. In this regard, studies that deepen the discussion and broaden the understanding of this topic are necessary. Within this context, the present study aims to identify and analyze the dimensions and factors of success in R&D&I projects, as well as their interrelationships. This is a mixed-methods investigation, initiated with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by three central research questions: (1) Which factors are identified in the literature as determinants of R&D&I project success? (2) Which measurable criteria are employed to assess this success? and (3) How can these elements be integrated into a theoretical framework? The findings revealed a wide range of factors and criteria influencing project performance, which were organized into three main dimensions: negotiation success, process success, and results success. Furthermore, the relevance of internal and external environmental conditions was identified, as these play a decisive role in determining R&D&I success. These insights culminated in the development of a theoretical framework, subsequently subjected to qualitative empirical validation in the contexts of Brazil and the United States, and quantitative validation in the Brazilian context. During the validation process, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with Brazilian and American experts, aiming to deepen the discussion of each success dimension and its relationship with the environment. These data were analyzed using Directed Content Analysis. Quantitative data, in turn, were obtained through a survey conducted exclusively with Brazilian experts and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Both the qualitative and quantitative results confirmed the validity and the theoretical and practical applicability of the proposed framework, thus offering valuable contributions to advancing scientific knowledge on the subject and providing practical insights for the field of R&D&I.