A Multiple Case Study of Sustainability Issues in Companies from Sugar and Ethanol Industrial Sector

Authors

  • Eduardo Guilherme Satolo Polytechnic Faculty of Campinas (Policamp)
  • Felipe Araujo Calarge Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE)
  • Paulo Augusto Cauchick Miguel Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Keywords:

Integrated management system, IMS, Sustainability, Sugar cane and ethanol.

Abstract

The sugar cane and ethanol agricultural industrial sector has emerged as one of the most prominent industrial sectors in developing countries like Brazil. Sustainability issues are now more and more important and companies from this sector have been structured their operations to achievepositive results. One of the ways of doing that is by implementing an integrated quality and environmental management system. In this context, this paper aims at identifying the relevant practices related to integrated management systems in four organizations that belong to the sugar cane and ethanol industrial sector. Data were gathered through a questionnaire and semi-structuredinterviews. The paper highlights relevant issues in policy of the four units. An individual case description is made in addition to a cross-case comparison. As a result, an analysis of management systems in those units enables to raise important issues on how the studied companies take careof their environment economically and with their use for continuous improvement. Finally, the evidence shows a general concern for the environment although this is demonstrated by a culture of reducing residuals and the control of waste of natural resources.

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Author Biographies

Eduardo Guilherme Satolo, Polytechnic Faculty of Campinas (Policamp)

Eduardo Guilherme Satolo is Coordinator and Professor at Polytechnic Faculty of Campinas (Policamp) and Jaguariuna Faculty (FAJ). He conducted a master research at Methodist University of Piracicaba (Unimep), Brazil, in a research project of Integrated Management System in sugar-ethanol companies. His research interestsinclude production management, quality management and production planning and control and integrated management system.

Felipe Araujo Calarge, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE)

Felipe Araujo Calarge is currently Professor at Industrial Engineering PostGraduation Program of Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) and at Technical School of State University of Campinas (CTC/UNICAMP). He conducted a postdoctoral research at Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain, working in a research projectrelated with Lean Manufacturing approaches in Brazilian and Spanish companies. His research interests include continuous improvement processes, Integrated ManagementSystems, management and costing in environmental systems.Contact: fcalarge@uninove.br

Paulo Augusto Cauchick Miguel, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Paulo Augusto Cauchick Miguel obtained his PhD in Manufacturing Engineering from the School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. His industrial experience in Brazil includes working as a manufacturing engineer for Varga/TRW and Bendix/Allied automotive brake system companies. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Production and Systems Engineering of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil and an Associate Editor of Revista Produção. He has also served as the Editor of Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management from 2004 to 2008. His primary research interests are in the areas of product development management, project management, and quality and environmental systems.

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How to Cite

Satolo, E. G., Calarge, F. A., & Miguel, P. A. C. (2013). A Multiple Case Study of Sustainability Issues in Companies from Sugar and Ethanol Industrial Sector. Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management, 9(2), 75–89. Retrieved from https://bjopm.org.br/bjopm/article/view/V9N2A6

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2012): December, 2012

Section

Articles

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