Evaluation of the Impact of the ALI Productivity Program on SMEs in the SEBRAE Regional Office of Presidente Prudente/SP

Objective: The article aims to observe the key aspects that an innovation project can bring to small and medium-sized enterprises, analyzing the impact of SEBRAE's ALI Productivity Program in the region of the Regional Office of Presidente Prudente/SP. Theoretical Framework: The main theoretical references include Innovation, Productivity, and Performance Measurement (business performance) of Micro and Small Enterprises based on the ALI Productivity Program by SEBRAE in the state of São Paulo. Method: This research employs a mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach with an applied nature, aiming to analyze the impact of the ALI Productivity program on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) served by the Presidente Prudente/SP Regional Office. Focusing on innovation and productivity, the methodology involves extracting and analyzing data consolidated by the SEBRAE's Business Intelligence (BI), regarding the services provided by 12 Local Innovation Agents (ALI) between September 2022 and June 2024. The article proposes not only to map the data but also to interpret the effects of the implemented actions, such as initial diagnoses, improvement suggestions, networking, and result monitoring. The analysis focuses on identifying factors that influence the success of the interventions, assessing the effectiveness of the proposed innovations to increase the competitiveness of companies. Thus, the study is based on the observation and extraction of data from the BI provided by SEBRAE/SP, which consolidates information on the services provided within the scope of the ALI Productivity Program. Results and Discussion: The research revealed that although SMEs face structural and bureaucratic challenges, fostering innovation is essential for strengthening their operations and increasing productivity. Data obtained from SEBRAE's Business Intelligence system showed that the ALI Program generated an average productivity increase of 27.5% among assisted companies, indicating a positive impact of the proposed interventions. While Micro and Small Enterprises hold significant representation in Brazil, they generally have a fragile structure. This is reflected in areas such as revenue, customer acquisition, marketing and promotion, and internal processes overall. This fragility hinders innovation, as most of these companies innovate out of necessity, adopting a more passive stance. In contrast, larger organizations tend to be more proactive in their innovative approaches. Research Implications: Mapping the challenges faced by the companies allowed for the identification of priority areas for implementing innovative solutions. The concentration of difficulties around revenue, marketing, and internal processes reflects the need for a more targeted approach to enhance the growth and competitiveness of SMEs. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a significant analysis of companies assisted by the ALI Productivity Program in the interior of São Paulo, offering an overview of the services provided, challenges faced, and the importance of continuous innovation processes for Micro and Small Enterprises.