Thematic Areas

This emerging theme is related to the search for connection with external aspects, expanding the individual and the collective awareness to recognize the capacity for mutual influence between immanent and transcendent aspects, where we perceive ourselves as part of a whole that is bigger than ourselves, acting in a way that we may positively impact everything, and being also impacted by it. Thus, spirituality and sustainability are directly related, as by stimulating the studies and practices of spirituality in organizations, we potentialize the possibility for organizations to be more sustainable. Segments of this theme are related to spiritual leadership, spirituality and regenerative economy, well-being and quality of life, sense of purpose and meaning at work, among others.

Leader: Prof. Dr. Claudio Senna Venzke (UDESC)

The ‘Teaching Case’ modality involves the narrative of an organizational problem-situation related to sustainability, where there is a dilemma to be analyzed in the context of undergraduate or graduate education. The case must illustrate a previously studied theory or introduce new knowledge. Through the analysis and decision-making process for the solution of an organizational problem, the case should bring opportunities for theoretical and practical learning. It may involve the assessment or review of policies, practices or proposals. On the other hand, the ‘Research Methods’ modality refers to innovative methodological approaches – recent or non-traditional – which enable advances in qualitative or quantitative research methodologies in sustainability studies. Papers should focus on the description of the methodology, on the research process or on the critical analysis of relevant methodological aspects, and not on the presentation of empirical results.

Leader: Prof. Dr. Fernando Nascimento (FENASC)

The theme of sustainable and smart cities focuses on the presentation of works that address studies on cities and their challenges for the promotion of sustainability and the search for smart solutions in this context. The works may include sectorial, regional and environmental public policy analysis, and their interfaces with the urban environment. Works that assess the agendas of the private sector and its connections with cities are also expected. From the perspective of urban resilience and smart cities, some themes stand out, such as: urban planning; drainage revitalization; green and blue infrastructure; environmental services, brownfield revitalization; urban environmental studies; energy efficiency; urban mobility; sustainable construction; rational use of water; green areas and biodiversity; mitigation and adaptation to climate change; waste management; management of contaminated areas; geographic information systems; big data and smart solutions; sustainable consumption, among others that have a clear association with cities.

Leaders: Profa. Dra Amarilis Gallardo (POLI-USP e UNINOVE) and Profa. Dra. Marcela Barbosa de Moraes (Unitau)

The theme covers theories, concepts and practices related to the measurement, control and performance management processes of organizations, in a broader view than the one described by the theory of the firm. It covers topics such as: sustainability indicators; sustainability indexes; theoretical approaches to the firm’s sustainable performance; sustainability and socio-environmental performance measurement models; sustainable balanced scorecard; Triple Bottom Line approach; indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among other topics. It also covers concepts and practices related to the communication processes, and the reports on the performance and sustainability practices of organizations, including sustainability reports and integrated reporting.

Leader: Profa. Dra. Keysa Mascena (UNIFOR)

This theme includes the most diverse approaches and concepts about education related to sustainability. It covers themes that focus on sustainability such as: educational methodologies; academic and corporate formation practices; curriculum of management courses; social learning for sustainability; organizational learning and sustainability; training of teachers and students; multi, trans and interdisciplinary approaches; teaching-learning strategies; development and assessment of skills for sustainability; PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education).

Leaders: Prof. Dr Luis Felipe Nascimento (UFRGS) e Profa. Dra. Paola Schmitt (FEEVALE)

The theme focuses on theories, concepts and practices related to sustainable entrepreneurship and environmental and social impact businesses creation. It covers topics such as: development of new sustainable businesses; social entrepreneurship; social and environmental projects; B corporations (B-Corp); social impact businesses; environmental impact businesses; base of the pyramid (BOP); Civil Society Organizations focusing on social and environmental aspects; funding for projects and startups based on ESG and social business principles; microcredit; institutional partnerships for business and socio-environmental projects; sustainable entrepreneurship and types of eco-business; mapping of eco-business opportunities; sustainable business models.

Leaders: Prof. Dr. Marcos Cohen (IAG-PUC-RJ) e Profa. Dra. Luciana Aparecida Barbieri da Rosa (Instituto Federal de Rondônia – IFRO) 

This theme covers the theories, concepts and practices related to the design, implementation and strategic evaluation processes connected to sustainability. It covers topics such as: sustainable strategies; sustainable strategic projects; institutional and economic impacts in industrial systems; strategic management of crisis and risks; sustainable value creation; functional strategies aimed at sustainability; sustainability management in the value chain; stakeholder theory; challenges for the transition to sustainability, multi-level approaches (individual, organizational and institutional) to sustainability; climate strategies; and strategies for implementation of industrial eco-parks.

Leaders: Profa. Dra. Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de Abreu (UFC) and Prof. Dr. Domenico Ceglia (UFC)

The theme covers theories, concepts and practices related to sustainability, innovation, and development in the Amazon. It covers topics such as: social entrepreneurship; sustainable business management and planning; territorial management; governance; innovation; climate change; public policies and institutional actions; production chains and sustainable technologies, all focused on the reality of the Amazon region.

Leader: Profa. Dra. Gleriani Ferreira (FIA)

The theme covers theories, concepts, practices and new approaches on sustainability in finance, macro and microeconomics and accounting. Examples of subjects (not limited to) in economics: theoretical studies of economics that aim at the perspective of guaranteeing quality of life for populations in the future; internalization of externalities; carbon pricing; social and environmental policies; environmental aspects in the national accounts system; environmental valuation and other economic tools used for environmental management; environmental services payments; green fiscal policy. In finance and accounting: Equator Principles; impacting investments; ASG analysis; economic and financial return on investments in sustainability; Social Responsibility Investments; microfinance; banking inclusion; development of socio-environmental credit policies; environmental disclosure; environmental accounting; regulation and supervision of banking and capital market for ASG aspects.

Leader:  Prof. Dr. Sergio Murilo Petri (UFSC) e Prof. Dr. Amir Hossein Rezaee (Institut Supérieur de Gestion, França)

The theme includes studies on elements that aim at mitigating environmental problems and seek the most efficient use of the available resources; it also includes the assessment of impacts and externalities resulting from the production of goods or services, caused by the organizations’ activities. It covers topics such as: environmental management systems; environmental management standards; industrial ecology; environmental auditing; cleaner production; product life cycle; greenhouse gas projects; clean development mechanisms; renewable energy projects; management of environmental liabilities, among others.

Leader: Prof. Dr. Alexandre de Oliveira e Aguiar

This theme covers people management, sustainability and its theories, concepts and practices, discussing the effects of organizations actions to their employees. It covers topics such as: ethics in organizations; diversity in organizations; ethical aspects in people management; gender equality; competence management for sustainability; organizational culture and sustainability; general aspects of people management and their impacts on organizations.

Leader: Profa. Dra. Adriana Cristina Ferreira Caldana (FEA-RP-USP)

The theme aims at receiving theoretical and empirical research that show how the sustainability enters the governance agenda of the organizations, which encompasses the term ‘Environmental, Social and Governance’ (ESG). It covers topics such as: the role of the governance agents (shareholders, institutional investors, board members and executives); governance structures (board of directors, board advisory committees and control bodies); decision-making within the scope of governance; good governance principles and practices; participation of the main members to the code of conduct; compliance and risks; compensation systems; governance mechanisms; ownership structure; and governance models in organizations.

Leaders: Prof. Dr. Thiago Beuron (UNIPAMPA) e Profa. Dra. Luciana Londero Brandli (UPF)

The theme covers organizational theories, concepts and practices related to the design and management processes of innovation aimed at sustainability. This view can follow the traditional classification for innovation or take on new formats. It focuses on changes that contribute to sustainable development, including institutional or social changes, reduction of social and environmental impact, risk mitigation and creation of ESG opportunities. It covers topics such as: pollution control (new, better and/or cheaper technologies); sustainable products or services; management models; more efficient processes; sustainable energy and transport technologies; eco-design; product lifecycle assessment; social innovation, eco-innovation/green innovation; sustainable innovation; inclusive innovation, among others.

Leader: Profa. Dra. Cláudia Kneiss (UNIFESP)

The theme covers concepts and practices related to marketing disciplines. It covers topics such as: social marketing; societal marketing; micromarketing; critical marketing; sustainable consumption; household waste; ethics in marketing, conscientious consumption; corporate social responsibility applied to marketing; marketing and stakeholders; certification of sustainable products.

Leader: Profa. Dra. Jordana Marques Kneipp (UFSM), Prof. Dr. Roberto Schoproni Bichueti (UFSM) and Profa. Dra. María Isabel Sánchez Hernández (Universidad de Extremadura)

The theme includes studies related to sustainability in the operation management of linear processes and circular models. As to improve the understanding of procedures, practices and tools, the theme seeks to help organizations reduce their environmental impact, as well as contributing to the inclusion of other elements (e.g., social, economic, and cultural) in its sustainability management process. The theme covers topics such as: sustainability in the supply chain/value chain management; social and environmental certifications; social dimension of sustainability in operations (e.g., slave labor, health and safety); supplier relationship management; governance and transparency mechanisms; clean technologies; product life cycle assessment; reverse logistics; business models for the circular economy (3Rs, 4Rs, 5Rs, 9Rs, 10Rs, ReSOLVE, product life cycle extension, sharing platforms, product as a service, pay-per-use, resource recovery, circular provision, among others); product design; product modularization and use of materials in cascade systems; performance indicators; innovation and circular economy; production chain and circular economy; public policies for the circular economy and governance. In addition, the theme encourages the understanding on how to adopt sustainable development goals (SDGs) in operations.

Leaders: Profa. Dra. Jordana Marques Kneipp (UFSM), Prof. Dr. Roberto Schoproni Bichueti (UFSM) and Profa. Dra. María Isabel Sánchez Hernández (Universidad de Extremadura)

The theme covers environmental public policies at different governmental levels (federal, state and municipal) and different agendas, with their implications for sustainability from multiple perspectives: environmental, social, cultural, political and economic. Aspects of environmental governance and the role of international organizations; national, state and local governments; civil society organizations and market people involved in the provision of public policies and public goods related to sustainability. Schedule development, design, implementation and evaluation of public policies in different dimensions of sustainability. Command and control mechanisms, self-regulation and socio-environmental compensation in different public policy agendas. Implications of public policies in environmental management in the organizations, involving aspects and interfaces of rural and urban issues. Dilemmas and challenges in the governance of waste, water, urban mobility, biodiversity and pollution, among many other aspects posed to the contemporary society, when discussing the rhetoric, the discourses and the practices related to sustainability.

Leaders: Profa. Dra. Sylmara Gonçalves Dias (EACH-USP) , Prof. Dr. Alexandre Igari (EACH-USP) e Prof. Dr. Armindo Teodósio (PUC Minas)

The theme covers the Corporate Social Responsibility and its theories, concepts and practices, discussing the effects of organizations’ actions on various stakeholders with whom it relates. It covers topics such as: social responsibility; environmental responsibility; fair trade; diversity in organizations; inclusive economy; social marketing; international sustainability agreements and principles and their impacts on the organizations.

Leaders: Profa. Dra. Lilian Caporlingua Giesta Cabral (Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido), Profa. Dra. Natalia Aguilar Delgado (HEC Montréal) and Prof. Dr. Luciano Barin Cruz (HEC Montréal)