Paradoxos da dimensão social da sustentabilidade: um estudo longitudinal dos indicadores de desenvolvimento humano no Brasil

O artigo analisa questões envolvendo a dimensão social da sustentabilidade. A pesquisa compara os indicadores de desenvolvimento territoriais do Brasil, como o nível de desenvolvimento econômico, por meio do Produto Interno Bruto e o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano. O objetivo é verificar o real nível de desenvolvimento socioeconômico das regiões brasileiras. A metodologia consiste de uma pesquisa descritiva de natureza quantitativa, com coleta de dados secundários. A análise dos dados indica que os indicadores sociais devem ser muito bem pesquisados e analisados para poder concluir sobre a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos cidadãos e que os IDH´s específicos não explicam de forma consistente o IDH geral dos Estados, sendo objeto de análise mais aprofundado das variáveis componentes destes elementos e seus cruzamentos regionais.

Green factory as a factor of sustainability: the case of GM engine plant in Joinvile - SC

The new engine plant by General Motors (GM) in Joinville-SC, inaugurated on February 27th 2013, incorporates the most advanced automotive technology processes and broad compliance with environmental standards and energy efficiency. The initiatives implemented in this industrial plant include processes with 100% of recycled industrial waste (landfill free) and pioneer systems in energy efficiency and environmental protection, qualifying the plant to obtain the global certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This industrial project reveals the strategic importance of the region and of Brazil in the growth of GM in the world, becoming a reference for studies and project evaluations of "green" factories in the automotive sector. The present study performs an exploratory research based on scientific publications, assessing the direct and indirect impacts on the business outcome, resulting from implementation of industrial serviceoriented sustainability of its operations, referred to in this article as "Green Factory”. We concluded that the adopted technologies focused on sustainability, study and development, represent a new step for the design of new plants and future expansions of the company in the region, combining low operating cost, low environmental impact and conservation of natural resources.

Sustainable initiatives focused on social responsibility and regional development: a study of the leader of the petrochemical industry

The present work will investigate the issue of environmental responsibility actions in the ABC Paulista region, of a leading company in the petrochemical sector. In this context, the problem has been to see how the leading company in the domestic petrochemical industry conducts itself relative to the concept of sustainability and what the consequences of these initiatives in the ABC Paulista are. Thus, the objectives are to identify these consequences and practices with regard to regional development in areas where the leader of the national petrochemical company has significant performance, with highlights on economic, social and environmental impacts. The present investigation is justified by the fact that the company is among the world leaders in the production of biopolymers. The methodology used was qualitative descriptive because this methodological procedure makes it possible to observe and analyze the facts relating to social responsibility initiatives undertaken by the company under study without manipulating them , in establishing correlations on perception of other stakeholders before the actions addressed in this research. Therefore, the results obtained indicate that environmental responsibility initiatives taken by the company satisfy the paradigm of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, in the promotion of regional development in its geographic area.