Sonia Maria da Silva Gomes

Do Environmental Disasters Impact on the Volume of Socio-Environmental Investment and Disclosure of Brazilian Companies?

Abstract This research investigated the impact that environmental disasters have on the volume of socio-environmental disclosure and investments of Brazilian companies from 1997 to 2012. News on environmental disasters was collected through a search engine, the companies responsible for the disasters were identified, and the research technique of content analysis was used to analyze the research data, which included the sustainability reports, annual reports, and management reports of the companies responsible, and also of other enterprises belonging to the same economic sector, dating from two years before and two years after the accident. The sentences were categorized according to the methodology used by Deegan, Rankin, and Voght (2000). The Mann–Whitney test was used in order to set the level of socio-environmental disclosure and investment before the occurrence of the accident and then compare it to the level of disclosure and investment after the accident. As a result, it was shown that the companies reported a higher volume of socio-environmental disclosure in the two years after the occurrence of the accidents – with statistical significance of 2.9%. Statistically significant variations of 8.2% and 0.7% were found in the totals of contributions to society and in environmental investments, respectively. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant variation in the internal social indicators. The relevance of this research is the study of events to understand how environmental disasters can influence voluntary disclosure practices of Brazilian companies, through the lens of the legitimacy theory.

O IMPACTO DO INVENTÁRIO DE EMISSÕES (GEE) NOS DESEMPENHOS OPERACIONAL E FINANCEIRO DAS EMPRESAS PARTICIPANTES DO GHG

A pesquisa objetivou verificar a relacao entre a adocao de inventarios de emissoes de GEE e os desempenhos operacional e financeiro das empresas, 2008 a 2015. Para alcancar tal objetivo foram comparados os desempenhos de dois grupos empresas: o primeiro sao as empresas que elaboram o inventario de emissoes de GEE por obrigacao contratual e o segundo grupo e composto pelas empresas pertencentes ao Indice Amplo Brasil-100 da BMF e as informacoes sobre a emissao de acoes foram extraidas do site da Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM). Os resultados da analise de painel mostraram que nao e possivel estabelecer relacao entre a adocao dos inventarios de emissoes de GEE e os desempenhos operacional e financeiro, rejeita-se a hipotese do estudo. Diante desse resultado, sugere-se que pesquisas futuras utilizem outras proxies para a mensuracao dos desempenhos operacional e financeiro. Alem disso, propoe-se transformar as informacoes constantes nos inventarios de emissoes de GEE em uma proxy de desempenho ambiental.

The determinants mostly disclosed by companies that are members of the Carbon Disclosure Project

Concerns about climate change as a result of anthropic actions have led to an increase in the volume of information disclosed about it in the reports of companies that are members of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). In this context, the factors most disclosed remain obscure due to both the complexity of climate change impacts and the stakeholders’ different interests. This study aims to identify which factors are most disclosed in the reports of companies that are members of CDP. For this purpose, it is necessary to investigate if the factors indicated by managers and experts are the main ones disclosed in the reports of Brazilian companies that are members of CDP, as well as to identify which companies stand out in climate change disclosure based on these factors. To this end, 463 reports submitted by 48 companies between 2014 and 2016 were examined and 32 factors were investigated using the NVivo® software. Some companies submitted reports with unified titles, which reduced the sample. The results indicate that certain factors—prevention of pollution, prevention of loss, management of environmental assets, volume of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and climate change strategy—account for 50.03% of the total volume of information disclosed about climate change. The main lesson learned from this research is that climate change mitigation strategy is strongly supported by the evidence of corporate annual reports, and it has relation with the following determinant factors: pollution prevention, loss prevention, environmental asset management, GHG emissions, and the strategy chosen by the companies to deal with climate change. Due to the low volume of research related to loss prevention and pollution prevention, we have identified that little attention has been paid to these items. Based on our results, we recommend that climate change mitigation strategies begin to consider these determinant factors in their structure because both have a strong influence in demonstrating how companies are managing these factors for stakeholders. Therefore, companies can benefit from this data to manage their resources for the maintenance of the social contract (legitimacy) through the factors most disclosed, especially companies with lower scores on the scale of ranking presented. Hence, stakeholders can have access to more information on strategies that mitigate climate change and help companies improve the disclosure of the actions that contribute to reduction of GHG emissions.

Estratégias de enfrentamento às mudanças climáticas: um estudo com as empresas listadas no Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial da B3

This research investigated strategies coping climate change evidenced by the companies listed in the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of B3, in the period from 2011 to 2014. Therefore, there was content analysis of the answers provided in the dimension climate change questionnaire ISE. Based on the results, there is a growing trend of companies that have their corporate policy on climate change approved by senior management, which establishes GHG emission reduction targets and to assume public commitments on GHG reduction targets. In addition to using internationally accepted parameters, a significant portion of organizations submit their GHG inventories to check an independent third party. In terms of disclosure, most companies participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project. The findings indicate that companies are entering in their management models different strategies, which seek to create value for stakeholders. These results are in line with the theory of stakeholders. Through this research, there have been indications of the level of proactivity organizational in relation to the challenge of climate change. Through these results, contributes up to expand discussions on climate issues and their implications for corporate strategies for achieving sustainability.

Estratégias de legitimidade de Suchman evidenciadas pelas empresas brasileiras destinatárias do pedido do Carbon Disclosure Project

This article is the result of a doctoral dissertation based on exploratory research and 10 case studies. The Carbon Disclosure Project/Investors in Brazil is the empirical research object of this article. Since its creation in 2000, this program has been playing an important role, related to the disclosure of social and environmental information. It has aimed at improving the transparency upon climate change risks and opportunities. This study identified Suchman’s legitimacy strategies (1995) that are most used by Brazilian companies, which have addressed the applied for Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) between 2006 and 2010. Qualitative approach and content analysis technique were adopted in order to collect the data. The primary data were obtained through the application of a survey and the secondary data were obtained in institutional websites, CDP’s reports and records on emissions collected by Fundacao Getulio Vargas. All Suchman’s legitimacy strategies were found in this study. The pragmatic strategy and the gain criteria obtained the biggest number of occurrences, 377 and 495 respectively. The most frequent cited item in all the 10 case studies was the necessity to respond to stakeholders, represented by 335 citations. Finally, it is possible to conclude that the CDP has been considered, by Brazilian companies, as a tool to obtain stakeholders’ acceptance and legitimacy.

ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT: A STUDY WITH BRAZILIAN NONFINANCIAL FIRMS

Purpose – This research aimed to study the relationship between Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and performance improvement. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection that was passed to managers of nonfinancial companies listed among the 500 largest and best firms in Brazil. The data from this study were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of correlation and association. Findings – The results showed that the main drivers of risk management were regulation, stakeholder demands, and business competitiveness. Among the practices that have been used, managers spotlight the utility of basic methods, more subjective, while technical methods, more quantitative, were of secondary importance. It was evidenced that the risks were weighted in the main activities of the organization. As a result, it was demonstrated that improved performance is associated with the maturity level of risk management and the level of stakeholders’ involvement in risk management. Research limitations/implications – Other researches could examine how this process was developed in other countries and expand the number of organizations studied. Practical implications – This study provides empirical evidence about theorist assumptions about the relationship between ERM and performance improvement. Social implications – This study demonstrates the importance of human aspects for the processes of risk management and how external factors can influence this process. Originality/value – It gives a broader and deeper comprehension of the process of risk management at nonfinancial firms in Brazil.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY: THE POLITICAL EDUCATIONAL PROJECT FOR THE ACCOUNTING SCIENCES COURSE AND THE CURRICULUM AS INSTRUMENTS OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT

A new science model and novel epistemological trends appear and determine other ways of conceiving and representing reality; this way, they reach new fields of knowledge, intertwining the pedagogical discourse and practices that build and constitute the everyday life of the University. This article aims at reflecting on the ways knowledge is managed at the University, and tries to identify and point out the processes that guide the collective construction of the Political and Educational Project of the Accounting Sciences course, having the curriculum as its instrument of establishment. To do so, a theoretical essay was developed containing the discussion of studies and research that critically analyze the current university model and its consequent curricular organization (MAZETTO, 2003; PIMENTA, 2002; LIBANEO, 2001; CUNHA, 2001). The counterpoint is the presentation and discussion of studies that defend the collective construction of the Political and Educational Project of the course; the reflexive pedagogical practice; and the structuring of interdisciplinary curricula (DIAS, 2005; CHAUI, 1999; MORAES, 1996; CUNHA, 1998; SANTOS 2006; MORIN, 2005; FAZENDA, 2002; MAZETTO, 2003; LIBANEO, 2001; PIMENTA, 2002). It became evident that participative management of IES (higher education institutions) requires an integrated view of knowledge, and interdisciplinary attitude. These epistemological principles become visible in the context of university education by means of the collective construction of the PPP; the organization of globalized curricula; as well as collective pedagogical practices, common to and enlightening the very teaching experience. The conclusion reached is that democratic management requires not only a dialogic relationship among the ones involved, but also the use of techniques and human abilities efficient and adequate to the objectives pursued by Higher Education, especially under graduation courses.

PARTICIPAÇÃO DOS TRABALHADORES NOS LUCROS E/OU RESULTADOS DAS EMPRESAS: O CASO DOS SINDICATOS DOS METALÚRGICOS DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE SALVADOR/BA

Revista de Contabilidade do Mestrado em Ciencias Contabeis da UERJ (online), Rio de Janeiro, v. 15, n. 2, p. 2 p. 18, maio/ago., 2010. ISSN 1984-3291 RESUMO O presente trabalho busca demonstrar a forma e as informacoes utilizadas pelos Sindicatos dos Metalurgicos da Regiao Metropolitana de Salvador, no Programa de Participacao dos Trabalhadores nos Lucros e/ou Resultados das Empresas (PLR), bem como analisa o uso das informacoes contabeis nas negociacoes trabalhistas. Com efeito, foi realizada uma pesquisa empirica, utilizando o questionario como tecnica de coleta de dados com os Sindicatos dos Metalurgicos das cidades de Camacari, Candeias, Dias D’Avila, Salvador, Simoes Filho e Lauro de Freitas. Constatou-se que a maior parte das negociacoes coletivas sao determinadas pela Participacao nos Resultados, ao inves da Participacao nos Lucros e que a base de calculo e o Lucro Bruto Operacional divulgado anualmente na Demonstracao de Resultados do Exercicio da Empresa, atrelada a forte presenca de metas condicionantes – produtividade e absenteismo. Ja no que se diz respeito a utilizacao das informacoes contabeis, percebe-se que 50% dos sindicatos utilizam as informacoes contidas nas Demonstracoes e que quase nunca se faz uma analise da situacao economica da empresa em que se vai negociar a PLR, embora recebam, frequentemente, o Balanco Social.