| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.02 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Atendendo aos problemas ambientais com que o mundo se depara ao nível das alterações
climáticas e dos seus impactos, bem com, ao nível do aumento do consumo de recursos à
escala global, assistimos nos últimos anos ao surgimento de um conjunto de agendas de
sustentabilidade a nível mundial e a uma mobilização transversal em torno das mesmas
(e.g., Agenda 2030; Objetivos de desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS); Pacto Ecológico
Europeu).
Neste sentido, assiste-se a uma crescente consciencialização ambiental à escala global e à
convergência de esforços para um mundo mais sustentável e, em consequência, o
desenvolvimento sustentável tornou-se uma missão importante para as empresas, uma vez,
que estas passam a ser pressionadas e avaliadas não só com base na criação de benefícios
económicos, mas também em função da sua capacidade de lidar com questões ambientais e
sociais e de criar valor sustentável em colaboração com os seus stakeholders.
Neste contexto, este estudo visa compreender o desenvolvimento sustentável das pequenas
e médias empresas (PMEs) em Portugal, analisando as barreiras com que se deparam, os
desafios que se lhe impõem e as práticas em curso nas mesmas (sociais, ambientais e
económicas). Para alcançar este objetivo, adotou-se uma abordagem qualitativa
exploratória, utilizando-se o método de estudo de casos múltiplos. Foram selecionados 8
casos (PMEs) e como fonte de recolha de dados, foi escolhida a entrevista, uma vez que esta
técnica proporciona proximidade e interação com os decisores e responsáveis pela
sustentabilidade das empresas.
A partir de uma análise de conteúdo às entrevistas realizadas, os resultados evidenciam que
existe consciencialização e compromisso das PMEs com a sustentabilidade, e que o contexto
externo e algumas das suas particularidades, impactam no seu desenvolvimento
sustentável. O custo, o reconhecimento, a intervenção do Estado e o contexto económico,
juntamente, com a escassez de recursos e a falta de conhecimento sobre o retorno financeiro
dos investimentos associados à sustentabilidade, afiguram-se como as barreiras mais
referidas pelas PMEs aqui estudadas. Não obstante, estas PMEs sentem-se desafiadas a
respeitar, responder e aproveitar as oportunidades que a emergência da sustentabilidade
lhe dita e adaptar-se às adversidades económicas e sociais que a atual conjuntura lhes
impõe. As evidências empíricas mostram ainda que estas PMEs têm, em curso, várias práticas de
carácter social, ambiental e económico, assumindo particular destaque as práticas de
âmbito ambiental. O consumo eficiente de recursos, a utilização de recursos mais
sustentáveis, o reaproveitamento dos desperdícios e a gestão dos resíduos, no domínio
ambiental; a promoção de emprego digno e a sensibilização dos colaboradores para a
sustentabilidade, no domínio social; a gestão eficiente dos recursos financeiros, a
rentabilidade do negócio, o investimento nas oportunidades de negócio que a
sustentabilidade lhes poderá proporcionar, nomeadamente por meio da produção de bens
e serviços mais sustentáveis, em termos económicos, são as práticas que assumem maior
proeminência.
Finalmente, este estudo contribui para conhecer de forma mais profunda o fenómeno do
desenvolvimento sustentável das PMEs, em Portugal, partindo de uma visão mais integrada
e apresentando contribuições práticas para o aumento da consciencialização deste
segmento de empresas, no que diz respeito à importância das suas práticas de
sustentabilidade. Este estudo fornece também informações úteis sobre práticas de
sustentabilidade, que podem incentivar outras PMEs a segui-las no futuro.
Considering the environmental issues that the world faces in terms of climate change and its impacts, as well as the increase in resource consumption on a global scale, we have witnessed in the past few years the emergence of a set of sustainability agendas at the global level and a transversal mobilization around them (e.g., The 2030 Agenda; The sustainable development goals (SDGs); European Green Deal). In this sense, we are witnessing a growing environmental awareness on a global scale and the convergence of efforts towards a more sustainable world and, consequently, sustainable development has become an important mission to the companies since they are pressured and evaluated not only on the basis of economic benefits creation, but also on the basis of their ability to address environmental and social issues and to create sustainable value in collaboration with their stakeholders. In this context, this study aims to understand the sustainable development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Portugal by analyzing the barriers faced, the challenges imposed and their current practices (social, environmental and economic). To achieve this objective, an exploratory qualitative approach was adopted by using the multiple case study method. 8 cases (SMEs) were selected and interviews were the chosen source of data collection since this technique provides proximity and interaction with decision-makers and those responsible for the sustainability of the companies. Based on a content analysis of the interviews carried out, results show that there is awareness and commitment of SMEs to sustainability, and that the external context and some of its particularities have impact on their sustainable development. The cost, the recognition, the State intervention and the economic context, together with the scarcity of resources and the lack of knowledge about the financial return on investments associated with sustainability, appear to be the most mentioned barriers by the SMEs studied. Nevertheless, these SMEs feel challenged to respect, respond to and take advantage of the opportunities that the emergence of sustainability dictates and to adapt to the economic and social adversities that the current situation imposes on them. Empirical evidence also shows that these SMEs have several social, environmental and economic practices in progress, with particular emphasis on environmental practices. The efficient consumption of resources, the use of more sustainable resources, the reuse of waste and waste management, in the environmental domain; promoting decent employment and raising awareness among employees of sustainability in the social field; the efficient management of financial resources, the profitability of the business, the investment in business opportunities that sustainability can provide them, namely through the production of more sustainable goods and services, in economic terms, are the practices that assume greater prominence. Finally, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of sustainable development of SMEs in Portugal, starting from a more integrated vision and presenting practical contributions to increase the awareness of this segment of SME companies, with regard to the importance of their sustainability practices. This study also provides useful information on sustainability practices, which may encourage other SMEs to follow them in the future.
Considering the environmental issues that the world faces in terms of climate change and its impacts, as well as the increase in resource consumption on a global scale, we have witnessed in the past few years the emergence of a set of sustainability agendas at the global level and a transversal mobilization around them (e.g., The 2030 Agenda; The sustainable development goals (SDGs); European Green Deal). In this sense, we are witnessing a growing environmental awareness on a global scale and the convergence of efforts towards a more sustainable world and, consequently, sustainable development has become an important mission to the companies since they are pressured and evaluated not only on the basis of economic benefits creation, but also on the basis of their ability to address environmental and social issues and to create sustainable value in collaboration with their stakeholders. In this context, this study aims to understand the sustainable development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Portugal by analyzing the barriers faced, the challenges imposed and their current practices (social, environmental and economic). To achieve this objective, an exploratory qualitative approach was adopted by using the multiple case study method. 8 cases (SMEs) were selected and interviews were the chosen source of data collection since this technique provides proximity and interaction with decision-makers and those responsible for the sustainability of the companies. Based on a content analysis of the interviews carried out, results show that there is awareness and commitment of SMEs to sustainability, and that the external context and some of its particularities have impact on their sustainable development. The cost, the recognition, the State intervention and the economic context, together with the scarcity of resources and the lack of knowledge about the financial return on investments associated with sustainability, appear to be the most mentioned barriers by the SMEs studied. Nevertheless, these SMEs feel challenged to respect, respond to and take advantage of the opportunities that the emergence of sustainability dictates and to adapt to the economic and social adversities that the current situation imposes on them. Empirical evidence also shows that these SMEs have several social, environmental and economic practices in progress, with particular emphasis on environmental practices. The efficient consumption of resources, the use of more sustainable resources, the reuse of waste and waste management, in the environmental domain; promoting decent employment and raising awareness among employees of sustainability in the social field; the efficient management of financial resources, the profitability of the business, the investment in business opportunities that sustainability can provide them, namely through the production of more sustainable goods and services, in economic terms, are the practices that assume greater prominence. Finally, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of sustainable development of SMEs in Portugal, starting from a more integrated vision and presenting practical contributions to increase the awareness of this segment of SME companies, with regard to the importance of their sustainability practices. This study also provides useful information on sustainability practices, which may encourage other SMEs to follow them in the future.
Description
Keywords
Barreiras Desafios Desenvolvimento Sustentável Pequenas e Médias Empresas Pme Práticas Empresarias Sustentáveis Sustentabilidade