Elementos estratégicos no desenho das maratonas de inovação aberta na educação profissional e tecnológica: análise dos editais de hackathons e ideathons

Abstract

The study analyzed the use of innovation marathons, such as hackathons and ideathons, as strategic tools to foster open innovation within the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education (RFEPCT), based on the analysis of their public calls for proposals. These events, grounded in intensive collaboration among participants, seek solutions to specific challenges and, when well planned, function as strategic instruments that contribute to generating real value for the organization. This qualitative research employed a systematized documentary analysis of the calls for proposals published by institutions within the Network across all Brazilian states between 2023 and 2024. The aim was to examine the strategic elements present in the design of the events, as expressed in the calls, such as objectives, proposed challenges, target audience, incentives, and alignment with institutional guidelines. The results indicate that, in practice, the main focus of these initiatives tends to fall on the individual development of participants, particularly in stimulating creativity, entrepreneurial skills, and problem-solving abilities. As a result, the institutional dimension of innovation—such as internal changes in culture, processes, services, or the structure of the organizing institution—is often less explored or intentionally structured within these events, weakening their effectiveness as tools for open innovation. Thus, it is concluded that, although these initiatives have the potential to generate public value and strengthen the culture of innovation within the RFEPCT, their impact remains limited.