Estratégias de responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE) na agroindústria canavieira paranaense

Abstract

The objective of this research was analyzing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies of sugar cane agroindustry companies. For this analysis it was necessary the identification of which practices are performed by the companies in the sector as well as the elements which motivate such actions. The characteristic of this research is based on an exploratory- descriptive type, once it has started from the questioning about the subject among the several agents that compose the sugar cane agroindustry in Parana state. The theoretical frame used as a foundation to the research consists of theoretical references about corporate strategies, corporate social responsibility, reputational capital and relation between the company and the stakeholders. The analysis was arranged in two major topics. The first one was based on the classification of actions of corporate groups according the stages determined by Ethos Institute. The second one addressed the elements which motivate the CSR actions from the corporate groups of sugar cane agroindustry and other stakeholders within the sector. To comply with the first topic, it has been started from a survey carried out by GEPAG Group - Group in Study and Research of the Agribusiness System (in the period of 2010/2011) in several companies of the sector. The analysis began from the congregation of the companies in their respective corporate groups; the second step was the calculation of a simple arithmetic average in order to classify the levels in which the corporate groups are and finally; theoretical constraints and relative constraints of the sector were provided as explanatory elements to the resulting values. In this topic the actions of CSR in 13 corporate groups were analyzed. High levels of positive answers were found in what regards to CSR actions (especially in the criteria concerning to staff, environment, community, and creation and spread of socially responsible values). Among the constraints regarded as explanatory elements, the importance of the sector to the communities where the companies are based, and the change in the sector s businessmen profile and the competition and commercial matters have been highlighted. To comply with the second topic, corporate groups were consulted in a monthly meeting of ALCOPAR Council and the other stakeholders were interviewed afterwards. Seven corporate groups participated in this stage (they had already participated in the GEPAG Group research and were classified in the first topic), and also other stakeholders such as: ALCOPAR, Parana News, CPA Trading S/A, Ministry of Labor and Environmental Institute of Parana. The answers given by the corporate groups and other agents confirmed the theoretical aspects of which the CSR actions receive a big influence of instrumental aspects as competitive gains, reputation gains, reduction of conflicts between agents and inclusion in international markets.