Abstract
This study performs a comparison between the theoretical frameworks of sustainable development and its incorporation in the decision-making practices and models used by heavy construction companies. This study was conducted by using documentary analysis of corporate sustainability reports. Specifically, the content analysis method was used to examine the sustainability reports disclosed by the companies studied. The results indicate four main conclusions: first, the social, political and economic context directed the companies towards implementing sustainable management practices; second, human resource development follows the traditional model of training and development; third, there is an evident effort to balance economic goals and profit-making with social responsibility practices as a way to characterize the corporate commitment with sustainability; fourth, effective and indispensable measures to transform decision-making models were not adopted in the business practices analyzed, and thus the economic factor continues to be prioritized at the expense of social and environmental aspects in those models. This paper, in looking at three Brazilian multinational heavy construction companies, examines the synergy between the theoretical and the identified corporate sustainability practices. Lastly, this paper may be characterized as a descriptive study based on a literature review and an analysis of sustainability reports from the companies studied.
Highlights
Companies in the heavy construction sector build roads, ports, bridges, airports, power plants and tunnels among other things.In 2007, the Brazilian government launched the Growth Acceleration Program (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento - PAC) based on the conviction that public investments stimulate economic growth
By comparing the content of the sustainability reports with the scientific literature, a critical analysis was developed based on the incorporation of sustainable development concepts in the practices and decision-making models used in heavy construction companies
By incorporating a sustainability approach, a company reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable development strategy and takes on a challenge that goes beyond its operations positioning itself as an agent of change in response to new business standards and contributing to the balanced, long-term increase of social, environmental and economic development
Summary
Companies in the heavy construction sector build roads, ports, bridges, airports, power plants and tunnels among other things.In 2007, the Brazilian government launched the Growth Acceleration Program (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento - PAC) based on the conviction that public investments stimulate economic growth. Infrastructure projects form the basis of this economic growth program, creating a strategic mechanism for national development in terms of integrating and reducing regional and social inequalities. The social and environmental impact of large-scale projects is relevant and leads to consequences of economic losses. Given this expansion movement, the heavy construction sector, which is responsible for infrastructure projects, has been introducing management models to reduce social risk, environmental risk and economic risk. The heavy construction sector, which is responsible for infrastructure projects, has been introducing management models to reduce social risk, environmental risk and economic risk These models use sustainability as the impetus for carrying out economically viable projects with positive social impacts and respect for the environment
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