Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle

Diversity management: Challenges, benefits, and the role of human resource management in Brazilian organizations

– The objective of this study was to analyze the major challenges and benefits of diversity management in Brazilian companies by assessing the role of human resources., – A total of 15 case studies were carried out on companies that operate in Brazil. Brazil is a country with considerable diversity and multiracial backgrounds., – It was found that diversity management in Brazilian companies is still an emerging issue, and the major challenges are related to discriminatory actions taken by coworkers. Among the 15 companies studied, only four had adopted a consistent set of diversity management and human resources practices. These four companies were the only companies to affirm that diversity management requires the strong support of top management and continuous organization to sustain efforts toward incorporating diversity., – Research studies on diversity management in Brazil are scarce. The findings of this study, however, can be useful to academic professionals and company directors in countries that exhibit similar characteristics to those of Brazil, or to those who are interested in learning more about Brazil.

Prospects for the use of municipal tree pruning wastes in particleboard production.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made   with pruning wastes from Ipê (Tabebuia serratifolia) and Chapéu-de-Sol (Terminalia catappa) trees. Particleboards were prepared with both wood species, using all the material produced by grinding the pruning wastes. The particleboards had dimensions of 45×45 cm, a thickness of approximately 11.5 mm and an average density of 664 kg/m3. A urea–formaldehyde adhesive was used in the proportion of 12% of the dry particle mass. The particleboards were pressed at a temperature of 130°C for 10 mins. The physical and mechanical properties analyzed were density, moisture content, thickness swelling, percentage of lignin and cellulose, modulus of resilience, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength parallel to the grain, accordingly to the standards NBR 14810 and CS 236-66 (1968). The particleboards were considered to be of medium density. The particle size significantly affected the static bending strength and tensile strength parallel to the grain. Ipê presented better results, demonstrating a potential for the production and use of particleboard made from this species.

Sustainability insights from the mission statements of leading Brazilian Universities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mission statements from 30 leading Brazilian universities, evaluating the statements based on a sustainable model that involves an environmental management system, public participation and social responsibility, and sustainable education and research. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis was conducted on the mission statements. The points used were based on the campus sustainability model of Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar. After grading, the Pearson correlation was verified for indicator and ranking points. Findings – The authors find few universities with clear sustainability aspects in their mission statements; just 10 percent of institutions achieve five points out of a maximum of nine points. Research limitations/implications – This study analyses only mission statements, which do not provide substantiated real sustainable action as much as reporting does. Practical implications – Higher education managers should review the universities’ mission statements in terms of a sustainability overview and improve the statements. Social implications – The authors criticize the real mission stated by leading Brazilian universities and their true role in society. Originality/value – Studies frequently focus on reporting and this work instead focusses on mission statements, which are important for guiding reporting and acting as a strategic tool. The results highlight aspects that have only been rarely addressed by Brazilian universities.

Road safety: implications for sustainable development in Latin America

Road accidents cause more deaths than homicides in Latin America, nevertheless it is not highlighted as a major concern by media and society. World Health Organization put this issue in high priority by releasing the Decade of Action in Road Safety that establishes five pillars to guide national road safety plans and activities. This paper addresses the drawbacks in the implementation of these actions in Latin American countries and its implications to achieve a sustainable development. The main concerns are: lack of empowerment of the road safety management organisations; lower vehicular standards; corruption related to the enforcement of traffic safety laws to and to the construction of safer roads; absence of safety vehicular inspections; vehicle fleet increase, decrease of public transportation demand; and the absence of a safety culture. Without facing these problems, sustainable development in Latin America will be impaired, once road safety is a fundamental link to achieve sustainability.

Resíduos sólidos no Brasil: contexto, lacunas e tendências

The theme of solid waste is in high evidence today, a fact noted by the recent implementation of the European directive, and in Brazil, by the National Solid Waste Policy. Understanding the impact of this policy on the national scientific production is essential to plan new directions and research trends. Through a bibliometric and scientometric studied, this research analyzed the national and global context of the last 20 years and found areas in which research progressed, as municipal solid waste, and essentials gaps to develop more the national state-of-the-art, as solid waste of transport. So, the results of this study are a plausible tool to justify for further research on this topic.

Organisational Challenges to Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is part of the sustainability debate within organizations and, consequently, a number of systems to manage this issue have emerged. ISO 26000, for example, aims to assist organizations in contributing to sustainable development and employing international standards of behaviour. This type of standard is attractive, but there are some challenges that organizations need to face before adopting it. Considering these challenges, this chapter presents some characteristics of ISO 26000 and the main drivers and barriers to adopting CSR initiatives as well social standards. The literature is investigated to present important findings about CSR, social standards, and the drivers and barriers of CSR. The chapter presents in detail the main drivers toward CSR, e.g., stakeholder pressure, globalization, reputation, competitive advantage, decrease in risks around the business, government laws, improving the relationship between employees and the organization, improving the relationship between co-workers, compatibility with other standards, and company size. Just as there are drivers, there are also barriers to ISO implementation. The chapter also presents some of the barriers to the implementation of CSR systems and standards, e.g., lack of knowledge or awareness of CSR, lack of knowledge about how to implement CSR with the organization’s strategy, commercial barriers (national and international), lack of sensitivity to the theme, and financial resources. The barriers can be a challenge for organizational management. Organizations can use the tools presented by the standards and take advantage of the drivers, reinforcing their convictions and justifying their actions in order to implement CSR initiatives.

Innovative Sustainable Partnership Between UNESP and a Rural Community: The Bamboo Project

A successful partnership has been established between one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil, the Sao Paulo State University – UNESP, and a rural community located in the state of Sao Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Within the ambit of this project, the farmers of this community, who are at constant social risk, receive training to enter the bamboo production chain. This training involves planting species of commercial interest, handling bamboo clumps to produce seedlings and stems, treatment and drying, in addition to techniques for processing, treatment and utilization in the construction of lightweight structures and for the production of artisanal and processed products, thus adding value to the material and providing a source of income for these families. This partnership resulted in several mutual benefits, e.g., the formation of a group of trained farmers, called the “Viverde Agroecological Association,” which can replicate this process by including new families in the project, as well as the establishment of partnerships to disseminate and support the project, and the training of UNESP students in product development and in scientific activities. This partnership project has received several awards for sustainability in Brazil, such as the 2009 Odebrecht Award for Contributions of Engineering to Sustainable Development, the University Outreach Award (UNISOL), the 2010 and 2011 Banco Santander Award, the 2010 ProExt/MEC Award (Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture), and the 2013 3M Institute for Sustainable Development Award.