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Sustainability in the Brazilian Heavy Construction Industry: An Analysis of Organizational Practices

Author

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  • Luis Roberto Arruda

    (Federal Fluminense University, MSG/LATEC, Rua Passo da Pátria 156, sala 329-A - Bloco E, CEP 24210-240, Niterói - RJ, Brazil)

  • Valdir De Jesus Lameira

    (INESC Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Portugal, Rua Antero de Quental, 199, Coimbra 3000-033, Portugal)

  • Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas

    (Federal Fluminense University, MSG/LATEC, Rua Passo da Pátria 156, sala 329-A - Bloco E, CEP 24210-240, Niterói - RJ, Brazil)

  • Fernando Neves Pereira

    (Federal Center of Technological Education, Sockow Celso Fonseca, Av. Maracanã, 229 sala 01 - Bloco A, CEP 20271-110, Maracanã- RJ, Brazil
    Civil Engineering, Federal Fluminense University, Rua Passo da Pátria 156, sala 329-A - Bloco E, CEP 24210-240, Niterói- RJ, Brazil)

Abstract

This study performs a comparison between the theoretical frameworks of sustainable development and its incorporation in the decision-making practices and models used by heavy construction companies. This study was conducted by using documentary analysis of corporate sustainability reports. Specifically, the content analysis method was used to examine the sustainability reports disclosed by the companies studied. The results indicate four main conclusions: first, the social, political and economic context directed the companies towards implementing sustainable management practices; second, human resource development follows the traditional model of training and development; third, there is an evident effort to balance economic goals and profit-making with social responsibility practices as a way to characterize the corporate commitment with sustainability; fourth, effective and indispensable measures to transform decision-making models were not adopted in the business practices analyzed, and thus the economic factor continues to be prioritized at the expense of social and environmental aspects in those models. This paper, in looking at three Brazilian multinational heavy construction companies, examines the synergy between the theoretical and the identified corporate sustainability practices. Lastly, this paper may be characterized as a descriptive study based on a literature review and an analysis of sustainability reports from the companies studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Roberto Arruda & Valdir De Jesus Lameira & Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas & Fernando Neves Pereira, 2013. "Sustainability in the Brazilian Heavy Construction Industry: An Analysis of Organizational Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:10:p:4312-4328:d:29229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Fabricio Carlos Schmidt & Roselaine Ruviaro Zanini & André Luis Korzenowski & Reno Schmidt Junior & Karl Benchimol Xavier do Nascimento, 2018. "Evaluation of Sustainability Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises in Southern Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Chen, Liming & Zhao, Yuanyuan & Xie, Rui & Su, Bin & Liu, Yue & Renfei, Xv, 2023. "Embodied energy intensity of global high energy consumption industries: A case study of the construction industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    4. Paúl Sarango-Lalangui & José Álvarez-García & María De la Cruz Del Río-Rama, 2018. "Sustainable Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Rodrigo Gris de Souza & Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas, 2020. "Model Proposal for Diagnosis and Integration of Industry 4.0 Concepts in Production Engineering Courses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    6. Izabela Simon Rampasso & Osvaldo L. G. Quelhas & Rosley Anholon & Marcio B. Pereira & Jocimar D. A. Miranda & Wenderson S. Alvarenga, 2020. "Engineering Education for Sustainable Development: Evaluation Criteria for Brazilian Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-11, May.
    7. Ye Duan & Hailin Mu & Nan Li, 2016. "Analysis of the Relationship between China’s IPPU CO 2 Emissions and the Industrial Economic Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Muhammad Muhitur Rahman & Mohammad Shahedur Rahman & Saidur R. Chowdhury & Alaeldeen Elhaj & Shaikh Abdur Razzak & Syed Abu Shoaib & Md Kamrul Islam & Mohammed Monirul Islam & Sayeed Rushd & Syed Masi, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Industrial Processes and Product Use Sector of Saudi Arabia—An Emerging Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    9. Min-Ren Yan, 2015. "Project-Based Market Competition and Policy Implications for Sustainable Developments in Building and Construction Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-26, November.

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