Assessing corporate social responsibility concepts used by a Brazilian manufacturer of airplanes: A case study at Embraer

Anholon, R, Quelhas, OLG, Leal Filho, W, de Souza Pinto, J and Feher, A (2016) Assessing corporate social responsibility concepts used by a Brazilian manufacturer of airplanes: A case study at Embraer. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135. pp. 740-749. ISSN 0959-6526

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Abstract

There are many definitions for the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but it can broadly be understood as a commitment that an organization must have towards society, expressed through actions and attitudes that affect it positively. In Latin America, in particular, this field is still at an initial stage, and few companies have actually developed and integrated CSR practices as part of their management system. This paper aims to present a set of CSR initiatives and projects developed by a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, considered an example of best practice in sustainable management practices. The paper also verifies if these activities are integrated into the company's management model in a mature way, as proposed by the literature. The research method used here was a case study with semi-structured interviews with a set of employees responsible for CSR at the company. The results gathered allow the projects developed at the company to be clustered around six main areas: excellence in education, social partnership programmes, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, volunteering and preservation of the history of the Brazilian aeronautics industry. All these projects are exemplary managed and critically analyzed in relation to aggregation of value they provide to society, thus ensuring suitable results. As a conclusion of the survey, it was observed that Embraer has integrated the CSR practices with other existing management systems in a harmonious and mature form. The scientific value of this research lies in the presentation of CSR practices developed by one of the most important companies in Brazil, with a management system directed to excellence. Other companies and researchers can use these practices as a benchmark, or as examples of good CSR practice leading to tangible results.