Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness: A Case Study in A Brazilian Agro-Industrial Cooperative

Daiane Johann; Gabriela Almeida Marcon Nora; Camila Angelucci; Lilian da Silveira Guimarães

doi:10.37497/2965-7393.SDGs-Countries.v6.n00.30

Authors

Daiane Johann University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3184-632X
Gabriela Almeida Marcon Nora University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4086-8958
Camila Angelucci University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3260-7205
Lilian da Silveira Guimarães SENAI - Departamento Regional de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1096-1251

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37497/2965-7393.SDGs-Countries.v6.n00.30

Keywords:

Sustainable entrepreneurship, Sustainable agribusiness, Sustainable development goals (SDGs), Cooperative

Abstract

Purpose: To identify sustainable practices in an agro-industrial cooperative in Rio Grande do Sul - RS (a southern state of Brazil well known for its significant participation in the national production of agribusiness), correlating them to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, as well as analyzing how sustainable entrepreneurship is transforming the lives of families and the space where they live.

Methodology/approach: The study used primary data collection through a semi-structured interview that took place in July 2020 with the Environmental Coordinator, also made use of secondary data with observation, document analysis through consultation on the cooperative's website, documents, and internal controls to generate evidence convergence and strengthen construct validity through source triangulation, in which case study findings are supported by more than one source of evidence.

Originality/Relevance: Sustainable entrepreneurship refers to the discovery, creation and exploitation of business opportunities that contribute to sustainability, generating socio-environmental gains for society.

Key findings: The studied Cooperative assumes a socio-environmental responsibility role through the developed activities that generate value to the cooperative members in an innovative, safe, and sustainable way, in addition to benefiting the surrounding community with sustainable practices, therefore the Cooperative in question is certified with the Certificate of Environmental Distinction, proving its commitment to sustainable development and good environmental practices. Educational and environmental practices that contribute to the promotion of sustainability in agribusiness were identified, such as the use of clean technologies in production and the proper management of waste generated by agro-industrial activity. These practices generate socio-environmental gains for society.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: This study brings a relevant theoretical contribution linked to sustainability and entrepreneurship in agribusiness based on findings in the practices of a cooperative. In addition to also contributing at an environmental level, this work contributes to contributing to the financial and social pillars that sustainability encompasses.

Author Biographies

Daiane Johann, University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina

Doctoral student in Administration at the University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, specializing in the research area of Sustainability, Organizations, and Society (2020). Member of the Study Group on Sustainability and Management - GESeG. Holds a Master's degree in Administration from the Graduate Program in Administration, focusing on Strategic Management and Market Relations, at the Meridional College - IMED - Business School (2016). Specialist in Talent Development and People Management from the Sociedade Educacional Três de Maio - SETREM (2008). Bachelor in Administration from the University of Passo Fundo - UPF (2007). Experienced in teaching undergraduate courses in Administration, Accounting, Economics, and Technology Management in Human Resources and Logistics.

Gabriela Almeida Marcon Nora, University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina

Doctoral student in Administration at the University of Vale do Itajaí. Holds a Master's degree in Administration from the University of Southern Santa Catarina and a Master's in Engineering and Knowledge Management from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Specialist in Law. Completed undergraduate studies in Administration at the University of the State of Santa Catarina and in Law at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Served as a State Councilor of the Brazilian Bar Association, Santa Catarina Section (OAB/SC) for the 2019-2021 term. Currently a Federal Prosecutor for the Attorney General's Office of Brazil, an active member of the Institute of Lawyers of Santa Catarina (IASC), and the Director of the Law and Diversity Center at the Higher School of Law in Santa Catarina - ESA/SC (2022-2024). A researcher with the GESeG Group (UNIVALI/CNPQ). Experienced in the field of Law, focusing primarily on Public Administration, Public Law, Sustainability, and Performance Evaluation.

Camila Angelucci , University of Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALI, Santa Catarina

Holds a Master's degree from the Professional Program in Business Management at the University of Alicante and from the Academic Program in Administration at Univali - University of Vale do Itajaí. Specialist in Management, Planning, and Organization of Events from the Pythagoras Unopar University. Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality from the University of North Paraná. Worked as a course instructor at the National Service for Commercial Learning, teaching subjects in technical courses on Social and Corporate Events, Regional Tourism Guide, and Business English. Possesses extensive experience in the field of academic, corporate, and social events.

Lilian da Silveira Guimarães, SENAI - Departamento Regional de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina

Boasts three years of leadership experience in Portugal and southern Spain. Holds a degree in Professional and Technological Education from the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (2019). Postgraduate in Marketing Management from Faculdade Intervale (2020), in People Management and Leadership from Faculdade Intervale (2020), and in Logistics and Operations Management from Faculdade Intervale (2021). Served as an instructor for both distance learning and in-person technical courses at Senai SC (2019-2020). Content creator (textbook and LMS) for the subject of International Business in the technical course on foreign trade at Senai SC (2020). Taught the technical course in Human Resources at the Dr. Jorge Lacerda Education Center (CEDUP) in Florianópolis, SC (2019). Coordinated technical courses in Administration, Logistics, Accounting, Human Resources, and Real Estate Transactions at the Dr. Jorge Lacerda Education Center (CEDUP) in Florianópolis, SC (2020-2021 and 2023).

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