Renato's main research interest lies in the political economy of development and state-business relations, particularly in the areas of energy, industrial and innovation policies, government accountability, and non-market strategies. His PhD dissertation work analyzed the development of the oil industry and the local supply chain in Brazil, Malaysia, and Mexico, such as and the policies used for industrial upgrading and the promotion of innovation. His research has appeared in journals like Comparative Political Studies and edited collections published by Oxford University Press, Routledge, and others.