**5. Discussion and Conclusions**

This paper applied the KBUD framework in order to shed light on wicked problems that are complex, unclear, interdependent, multi-causal, unpredictable, nonlinear, and dynamic [39]. Research poses that instead of finding the correct answer to a wicked problem, the aim is to achieve a shared understanding of possible solutions [40], which was precisely the reason for studying representatives from the local quadruple helix and their different perspectives.

This study assessed labor force, training/education/institutes, and cultural assets under the KBUD framework's sociocultural dimension. This was supported by the data, as Florianópolis' most cited aspect in the interviews and mostly highly evaluated in the survey. In the latter, half of respondents are aware that the labor force is a major asset and that "creative people attract creative people". Nevertheless, expressions used in the interviews to drive Florianópolis into becoming smarter and more sustainable were the "engineering strength" and the "entrepreneurship spirit" of the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Regardless of the balance between positive and negative remarks on cultural assets in the survey, there is a "contagious innovation culture" in the air, present in both survey and interview. Again, this leads to the observation that not much was referred to on behalf of diversity. For that matter, the city as a whole and the innovation ecosystem will need to think beyond the actual visible trait of gender and race. Creative and responsive solutions are longing for diversity and balancing from different perspectives to face wicked problems.

Labor force imports, due to a shortage of qualified workforce, is also a short-term response to a major demand. A harder and longer-term action is to invest in basic education and training programs. Because it is important to retain the city's talents, it is also important not to lose potential ones to organized crime for lack of investment and opportunities. In this sense, it is relevant to stress that social inequality was mentioned by only two interviewees. In addition, a concern with the increase in safety issues, which is a main consequence of social unbalance, is pointed out as a crucial challenge to creatives' permanence in the city, along with housing and mobility issues. In turn, these aspects belong to the spatial discussion, which was the least cited dimension.

The spatial dimension of the KBUD framework is a major issue in the data, because of Florianópolis' basic infrastructure and territorial planning deficiencies and also for not placing the climate change reality on the agenda. Despite presenting itself as a "green industry", the innovation ecosystem has a lot to adapt to and work towards facing this "glocal" matter, with consequences that deeply affect every sector. It starts by shifting from the utilitarian perspective of nature, which has been granting Florianópolis the title of being a popular tourist destination worldwide for its beaches and seafood, to that of having a responsible engagement with the environment, respecting its geographical limitations. An unfolding to this call can be foreseen in the economic and institutional development dimensions.

This study comprehended governance, partnerships, and support mechanisms as main aspects of the institutional dimension of the KBUD framework. Perceptions, which are considered to be the most challenging area for both survey and interview, are mainly targeted to the public sector's lack of efficiency, accountability, innovation, and continuity of actions. In addition, there is room for perspective change towards the public sector whose aim is to serve the common good and to support the quadruple helix working together in this direction. These liabilities need to be sorted out, as well as social participation beyond the "too many city councils", which are not necessarily addressing the city's aspirations.

Commitment and trust development are key ingredients for this dimension to develop well, which were pointed out as a challenge in the interview, and related to municipal and state collaborative planning and programs' developments. Florianópolis' innovation ecosystem has the potential to thrive, despite that the city still has structural issues to deal with, related to the gap between its desire to grow and the acknowledgement from its major actors to support the overall territory to thrive in its complex dimensions. It suggests amplifying the ecosystem's vision, including different sectors and, especially, tackling innovation for the common good [41].

The pressure caused by the growing urbanization generates complex and multifaceted challenges that can only be faced through processes that involve innovation in a shared way. Smart, sustainable, and knowledge-based urbanism approaches can help localities thrive in not only economy and society terms but also spatial and governance wise [42–44].

As a concluding remark, this study was a snapshot of Florianópolis with a focus on the innovation ecosystem reality, an important tool for a transition plan aiming at a more balanced socioecological scenario. It generated useful insights that should help the city retain and inspire more talented and creative people to come and stay, which directly responds to the need for diversity. To keep this on an ongoing basis, in other words sustainability, investment and opportunities must be made in overall education, for all. Here, it goes without saying that as important as it is to develop a strategy plan to boost innovation, basic demands on the socio-environmental front will also need to be acknowledged, analyzed, and addressed in an integrative manner. Therefore, the case study findings reported in this paper are not only useful for the case city Florianópolis, but also invaluable for other cities planning to strategize their transformation, and seeking smart, sustainable, and knowledge-based development pathways in the age of climate, pandemic, and financial catastrophes.

**Author Contributions:** J.S.-M. and T.Y. designed and supervised the study; T.S., T.W., and D.S. conducted the analysis, and prepared the first full draft of the manuscript; T.I. expanded the manuscript and helped to finalize it by improving its rigor, relevance, and caliber. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** The research reported in this paper received funding from industry partners of the Smart Floripa Project, namely the State Government of Santa Catarina, Municipality of Florianópolis, National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism, Senac Santa Catarina.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors thank anonymous referees for their invaluable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
