Abstract

This research aims to describe the relationship between innovation processes carried out by companies in the regions of Chile and other factors such as regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), spending on research and development (R & D) carried out by Higher Education institutions, and R & D structure that own the companies analyzed. To this end the study worked with the results of the Eighth Business Innovation Survey approach for the period 2011-2012 and the Third National Survey of Expenditures and Personnel Research and Development 2011-2012, both surveys conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism of Chile. The data was processed by correlation and multiple regression analysis. At the bivariate level, the results demonstrate a significant relationship between the companies that make product and process innovation to regional GDP. Multivariate analysis shows that the structure of R & D that companies have; coupled with the spending on R & D activities carried out by Higher Education institutions are decisive to companies that perform process innovation and product in the regions of Chile.