Strategically Addressing Corporative Environmental Responsibility: A Perspective of Operating Through the Integrated Management System

Abstract

Structural changes related to current stakeholder pressures and expectations for a more sustainable and sustained developments indicate the need to incorporate social and environmental variables in business management. Accordingly, the Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSER) emerges as a response to social expectations and, when aligned to strategic management, can improve business competitiveness in a given industry. This is possible among other alternatives by the adoption of an integrated management system of certification standards, focused on product quality, reduced impacts on the environment, health and occupational safety and social responsibility. In this context the objective of the study is to analyze the role of the integrated management system in the strategic approach to Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility. Based on an exploratory and descriptive search, JBR Engenharia Ltda. is used as a case study, considering the actions and practices of the enterprise. Results demonstrate concern with social issues from the founding of the enterprise since their social and environmental strategies were gradually incorporated into the activities and business by means of strategic management of CSER to bring benefits to the stakeholders and improve competitiveness.