Purpose – The University-Industry Relationship presents itself as an important factor for the socio-economicdevelopment, whether municipal, regional or national. So the goal of this article is to propose an instrumentfor the diagnosis of research opportunities in Production Engineering in the commercial sector at the Braziliancity of Itabira (MG).
Design/methodology/approach – The research method was the theoretic-conceptual, through abibliometrics analysis, obtained on the basis of Web of Science. Articles were assessed from knowledge areasrequired by the Brazilian Association of Production Engineering (ABEPRO) and published in 2014 and 2015.
Findings – The diagnostic instrument was drawn up from a bibliometrics analysis and validated by experts’ opinion, professors from Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI). A pilot test has also been accomplished with 4 (four) companies, members of the Commercial, Industrial, Services and Agricultural Association of Itabira (ACITA). As the main result, the test has indicated that the priority area for research is the Economic Engineering in the commercial sector of Itabira.
Originality/value – This paper proposed a new diagnostic instrument. Also, encouraged skills related to the development of a research and the practical application of knowledge, identified possible Production Engineering research areas and a higher knowledge and interaction with the local economy. Identified of possible internship unit’s grantors.
Production Engineering, Commercial sector, University-Industry relationship, Bibliometrics