DIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE BASES IN THE MESOREGIONS OF RIO DE JANEIRO

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE

Abstract

Knowledge plays a crucial role in supporting innovation and competitiveness, shaping the productive structure, and directly influencing development. This paper aims to analyze the diversity and composition of Knowledge Bases (KBs) — analytical, synthetic, and symbolic — in the mesoregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro (ERJ) from 2006 to 2019, highlighting changes and regional specificities. The methodology employed occupational concentration matrices and co-occurrence to construct regional knowledge networks, providing a detailed view of KBs dynamics in each region. The results indicate that most regions lost KBs over the analyzed period. The RMRJ has the highest KB diversity, as expected, but faces significant losses, particularly in synthetic KBs linked to the manufacturing industry. The South and North Fluminense regions stand out for their concentration in synthetic KBs, while the Baixadas Litorâneas region shows growth in this KB. Regions such as the Center and Northwest Fluminense exhibit lower KB diversity, highlighting structural vulnerabilities.